Cassava Suman - Sumang Kamoteng Kahoy

It was been a long time since I have no update with my food blog, maybe because I don’t cook anymore.  I was asking my younger sister to look after this blog but she is not interested, I was giving it to her since she was the one who does the cooking which mean she can write better about the food.

When they went to town a week ago they bought cassava for ₱20.00 per pile, it was cheap since it is cassava season. We are initially planning to just boil the cassava in coconut milk but since my father had a few heads of coconut we made a "suman" out of the cassava.  Suman is a native Filipino rice cake (kakanin) that consists of grated cassava, brown sugar, and coconut cream. The mixture is wrapped and sealed individually using banana leaves.

Ingredients

• grated cassava
• 1/2 kg brown sugar
• wilted banana leaves for wrapping the suman

Cooking Procedure

1. By using a cheesecloth, squeeze the grated cassava to remove the juice from it and after combine the grated cassava, brown sugar and grated coconut in large mixing bowl.
2. Get a portion and put over the wilted banana leaves then roll and wrap properly.
3. Arrange them in a  pot, and boil them with water or coconut milk until done.

Milk Fish Cooked in Sour Tamarind Soup

The other day we had milk fish in sour soup but instead of using tamarind powder, we used raw tamarind. The tamarind was bought in the local market, there's plenty of fresh vegetables since it is market day.

Ingredients:

Milk Fish, Tamarind,  Green Pepper, Onion, Vegetables (Ladies Fingers, Eggplant, String Beans and Water Spinach)

Procedure:

1. Separately boil the tamarind to create sour soup, then squeezed the tamarind to get more juice out of it
2. In a new pot, use the sour soup and add the vegetables, simmer a little
3. Add the fish, green pepper, onions and let it cooked for 5 minutes
4. When it is almost cooked add the water spinach and seasoned with salt to taste
5. Serve with hot rice

Crabs in Coconut Milk (Ginataang Talangka)

A few days ago someone came by selling crabs, they were fish out from the river in our barangay. They were sold for P20.00 per dipper and since there's only small left in the pail, the seller gave it all to us.  They got a lot of crabs when it rained and the water came down from the mountain, they prepared traps for the crabs.

The crabs were cooked first in a hot wok without adding water or anything. Then they were cooked in coconut milk with papaya and moringa leaves as garnishes. This dish is really superb, I can't stop myself from eating a lot of rice,  any food cooked in coconut milk is really my weakness.

Ingredients:

Crabs, garlic, , salt, moringa leaves, papaya, coconut milk, turmeric

Procedure:

1. In a large pot put the crabs and add the coconut milk from second extract of grated coconut
2. Add the garlic, salt, turmeric and pepper and let it simmer
3. Then add the papaya, as well as the coconut milk from the first extract of the grated coconut
4. Cooked it for few minutes, and when it is nearing to be cooked add the moringa leaves
5. Serve with steamed rice, enjoy!

Mung Beans in Coconut Milk Recipe (Ginatang Monggo)

One of the best thing when you are living in the province is you can get things for free, it is either from your own garden or from neighbor's backyard. The other day we decided to cook monggo beans or mung beans in coconut milk, we had two head of coconuts from a neighbor.  Mung beans is a high source of protein, fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients and  have some huge health benefits to offer, including helping to lower high cholesterol levels and protect against heart disease.

Ingredients:

Mung beans, garlic, onions, salt, moringa leaves, coconut milk

Cooking mung beans in coconut milk is very simple, all you have to do is boil the mung beans in second milk extract of grated coconut and once the mung beans are cooked, you can start adding the ingredients as well as the first milk extract from the coconut.

Simple Menu: Sautéed Monggo Beans

Sautéed Monggo Beans is one of the popular cooked vegetables in my home country, I grew up seeing and eating them. It is always present in every restaurant in our town so I am not surprised anymore seeing Monggo Beans abroad. So for a change I cooked local food, I sautéed the monggo beans I bought from the Filipino store in Seoul.

Cooking local food doesn't mean I need complete ingredients like the leaves of bitter melon, chicharon and etc., I used pork and lettuce alternatively.

To start with cooking, the monggo beans need to be boiled and when they are cooked or cracked open.  Separate the slop and the beans, and in a clean pot sauté garlic and onion, add the meat and fry them a little until brown. Drop the monggo beans, add the slop and more water. Add salt and let it boil, and add the lettuce!

Pork Noodle Soup

Soup is one of my best comfort food, buying a frozen noodle strips in the supermarket I have thought of cooking beef noodle soup but I have mistaken buying pork than beef so when I decided to prepare a soup, it's pork noodle soup. I really don't have experience in cooking noodle soup, so I experimented on my simple way.

I just saute the garlic and the onion and fry pork with it and when the meat is cooked, I add water and soy sauce, as well as the noodle strips and little sugar to taste.  Then when the soup boils I add the vegetables and pepper to taste.

My ingredients:

Noodles, pork, cabbage, carrots, garlic, onion, oil, pepper, salt and sugar

My Procedure:

1. I saute the garlic and onion until brown and I add the pork and fry it
2. Then I add water,  soy sauce, noodle strips and sugar and let it boiled for few minutes
3. When it is already boiling I add the carrots then the cabbage
4. I also add black pepper to taste
5. Serve hot

Garlic Fried Rice with Sausage and Eggs

Fried rice is one of the best popular variant of cooking rice and one of my favorite food to eat.  The other day while I am preparing fried eggs for my meal I decided to cook garlic fried rice because eating simple meal like eggs and rice is very tiring already, so I chopped a lot of garlic and onions to cook my meal and use two eggs and one piece sausage as my toppings.

My ingredients:

• Rice, garlic, onion, cooking oil, sausage, eggs, salt and pepper.

Cooking garlic fried rice is very simple, all you have to do is saute the onion and garlic until brown, add the sausage then fry a little and add the rice, mixed all together and drop one egg and cooked until brown or you desire.  Fry one egg and top it in top of the fried rice and serve hot.

Sauteed Bitter Melon with Egg

Sauteed Bitter Melon with Egg (Ginisang Ampalaya with Egg) is a very simple dish but one of the healthiest recipes that you can cook at home. Bitter melon is well known as natural remedies for lowering blood sugars or treating diabetes.

The other day I decided to cook the bitter melon I bought in Hyehwa instead of boiling it to remove the bitter taste I cooked it directly so the nutrients will not be wasted.

Cooking this recipe is easy all you need is just saute the garlic and onion, add the bitter melon and fried it a little and add the beaten eggs, salt and pepper to taste.

Chicken Adobo with Kangkong

On our last shopping day I bought chicken and sprite so I can cook chicken adobo with sprite but unfortunately my husband drink the can of sprite when we had a spicy BHC chicken. So instead I cooked my adobo with string beans and kangkong, I also added the ladies finger because they're getting old. I bought these vegetables on Sunday at Filipino market in Hyehwa. I just thought it would be easier if I cooked them together rather than separately as I am also planning to cook the vegetables in soy sauce.

Cooking this is just like the normal adobo you just need to add the vegetables when the chicken is already tender. I just used half of the chicken so I will not get tired of eating adobo.

Egg Whites Omelette

Copying my husband's meal is my favorite thing to do, I sometimes wonder what his meal taste like. He has different meal because he has his own diet plan. Unlike me that I could eat anything at any time, the other night I tried his egg meal which is styled like omelette, composed of only egg whites stuff with mozzarella cheese and meat inside.  It was fried on small amount of olive oil.

My husband was annoyed at me when I complaint that it doesn't taste good, no salt, pepper or garlic on it.  Anyway last night he decided not to eat eggs anymore because he is already tired, his been eating egg whites since I can't remember. He will stick to his whey protein and vegetable diet.

Microwave Baked Apple

My husband has been telling me that he will cook baked apple, I chuckled because we have no oven for baking but he insisted he can use our microwave oven. It was been postponed for many times already but the other night when he is craving for sweets he eventually does it.

He took the upper part of the apple and removed the core then add brown sugar and butter inside, and cook it in the microwave for a few minutes until the sugar is all melted. The photo above was the result, I am able to taste after constant bothering him to let me taste his masterpiece. Lol!

Chicken Cooked in Coconut Milk Powder

The other day I tried cooking Filipino version of chicken curry using powdered coconut milk I bought in the Asian store.  Though my ingredients are not complete so it is really a chicken curry but a poor man's curry, haha.

Using powdered coconut milk is not that good unlike using fresh coconut milk for cooking, well at least I tried. Ins't it? My husband likes it though I think he will like more if I used fresh coconut milk and complete ingredients.

8 Traditional English Foods Fit For A Royal Wedding

With the royal wedding still fresh in everyone’s mind, it’s no wonder that many couples are using the regal ceremony as inspiration when planning their own special day. While sometimes overlooked, creating a stellar menu is one of the most important steps in ensuring that your wedding is a complete success. If you’re looking for something reminiscent of Will and Kate’s spectacular big day, here are 8 traditional English foods fit for a royal wedding.

Mini Pork Pies with Piccalilli

A fabulous finger food offering, these delicious miniature pork pies are best served golden and warm from the oven for your guests to snack on. Brushing the pastry with a sprinkle of sesame seeds not only looks great, but adds flavour as well. Have a small pot of Piccalilli or your favourite pickles on hand as an accompaniment for the pies, and allow guests to help themselves

Golden Scampi with Creamy Tartare Sauce

Another simple yet classic English favourite is Scampi. Crispy beer battered Scampi is easy for guests to eat, and taste amazing. Teamed with a tangy tartare sauce, this tasty seafood treat is bound to be a hit. Try a tempura batter for a lighter, less traditional twist on the original recipe.

Warming Pea and Ham Soup

Great for in between courses, this traditional soup is easy to make and tastes sensational. Serve while still steaming with a fresh crusty baguette or rustic sliced loaf and a side of butter for a warming winter dish your guests will love.

Beef Wellington

This is a true centrepiece of any special occasion. Mouth-wateringly tender beef fillet wrapped in mushroom duxelle and moist prosciutto, and finally encased in layers of flaky golden puff pastry, the Wellington is a dish everyone will remember. Made famous by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey, it is a challenging dish to prepare, however the result is definitely worth the toil.

Beef, Ale and Parsnip Pudding

When you ask people to think of traditional English fare, this has to be high on the list of responses. A hearty meal, this pudding is a great choice for winter weddings, and is simple to create.

Roasted Autumn Vegetables with Lancashire Cheese

A favourite amongst vegetarians, this colourful dish is simply bursting with flavour. Due to its versatility, this dish can also be served as a side with meat roast, for those who are looking for more than the vegetarian option.

[Image not Mine]

Mini Cherry and Almond Tarts

A cute and tasty take on the traditional Bakewell tarts, these miniature desserts are a great way to finish off a hearty English meal. The perfect combination between pastry and cake, these tangy tarts are light and great for guests with a sweet tooth.

Sugar-Crusted Scones

You can’t have tea without scones, so why not include this English staple in your wedding menu. Homely and versatile, you can serve scones with butter, preserves, or jam and whipped cream. Scones are a simply delightful way to treat your guests to a traditional English favourite.

When planning your menu, make sure to take into consideration the dietary requirements of your guests. A simple way of doing so is to ask on the invitation, and allow guests to respond with their RSVP. While on the subject of wedding invitations, remember to match your printed menus to your initial invite theme for a truly cohesive look.

Written by Emma Jane

Emma works as a wedding planner in Sydney. She recently had her own wedding held on Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Chicken Adobo with Pineapple

I want to try different preparation for my chicken adobo, I remember when I am in grade six in our Home Education class we cooked adobo with pineapple and I like it very much.  I already forgot the name of it but we used spare ribs on that cooking class,  so while we are shopping I have ask my husband if it is okay if I buy can of pineapple circles he agreed so I got one.

Cooking this dish is very easy, just cook adobo the way you cook it and add the pineapple tidbits when it is already boiling.

My Ingredients:

chicken, garlic, onion, cooking oil, soy sauce, vinegar, salt and water

Procedure:

1. Saute the garlic and onion until brown, add the chicken and mix them together
2. Add vinegar and boil a little then add soy sauce and water
3. Let it cooked and when it is already boiling drop the chicken tidbits and a little amount of the juice
4. Cooked it until you desired, best served with hot cup of rice.

Steamed Sweet Potato with Olive Oil

These past few days I am enjoying eating steamed sweet potato drizzled with olive oil and salt. I just copied this food into my husband's meal, I am not really aware that olive oil tasted good on food. You know I came from the country that the only oil we used at home is corn oil or coconut oil, I didn't care about the olive oil at home when I used it on frying the food still taste the same so it was not a big deal for me.

Well not until I used it on sweet potato, the aroma of the olive oil made me crave for more of this food below. Simple yet so delicious on my tongue.

My husband didn't like the idea of me eating more of his food because sweet potatoes are quite expensive here unlike rice which is less expensive. Anyway the sweet potato were steamed and cut into pieces, drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper if it is available.

Chicken Adobo with Sprite

As what I have planned the other day I will cook chicken adobo today and while getting the ingredients in the fridge I saw the little can of sprite which is free from the meal I bought in GS25 a week ago. I only drink soft drinks occasionally as well as my husband thinking it is going to be stock in the fridge for a long time, I took it with the garlic and chicken, I will definitely try a new recipe.

My ingredients:

chicken, 1 cup of vinegar, 2 cups of soy sauce, salt, garlic, onion, cooking oil, sprite

Procedure:

1. Saute the garlic and onion until brown, put the chicken and simmer for few minutes
2. Add the vinegar and soy sauce, simmer and add one cup of water
3. Cooked it until the chicken absorbed the soy sauce and vinegar
4. Add sprite and cooked the chicken until you desire, you can add salt and pepper to taste
5. Serve hot with rice

Chicken Cooked in Sweetend Coconut Milk with Squash

While shopping the other day I just have thought I want to eat chicken cooked in coconut milk as I know there's one in Lotte Super I have asked my husband if I can buy it, he agreed so we bought it. After two days or so I've cooked the chicken with squash but when my husband opened the canned coconut milk it turns out it is not pure coconut milk it has sugar on it. It is a type of coconut milk which is used in drinks like piña colada, it is very sweet indeed.

As left no choice I don't have else seasoning to mix on my chicken as soy sauce is not around I still used the canned coconut milk after my husband divulge eating it. The chicken and squash was so sweet, instead of being a viand it became a dessert.

Pork Adobo with Sweet Potato

I usually cooked chicken adobo rather than pork adobo but this week was different I decided to cook the pork in soy sauce, instead of using potato I used sweet potato because they are on sale in the supermarket. My husband is also eating pork but he don't eat the fat so I included them on my adobo, it was a mistake because my adobo became too oily.

I cooked the two package of pork I thought it is only small once cooked but I was wrong because there's too much sweet potato too!

Spaghetti with Spaghetti Sauce with Pimiento

We had spaghetti last cheat day, it is out of our plan but when I found out that the noodles I bought was a pasta and not a noodles that I can cook with soup we decided to have a pasta on Friday.  I boiled the pasta and made a sauce, I just fried some onion and garlic, processed meat and add the spaghetti sauce with onion and pimiento.

It was been a long time since we had spaghetti so it was all eaten that night, nothing is left for another day.

Mussels in Korea

 

For the first time my husband allowed me to eat clams inside our apartment actually at first he didn't want me to buy the mussels but later on he agreed. He is somehow worried of the stench, but I told him clams/mussels doesn't smell unlike dried fish.

Mussels can be cooked by steaming, grilling or baking them but I just boiled mine with salt and dropped two heads of garlic after washing them thoroughly.  When it was cooked I ate my lunch and as expected I ate a lot, yeah right I love seafood so much. I felt sick after eating though maybe because I ate a I almost ate them all in one meal but I have thought my husband, so I left a few which I also ended eating up because my he doesn't like it.