Yes, I am aware that it’s a Spanish dish. But believe it or not, Paella has long been part of the Philippine menu. If I’m not mistaken, only Filipino cooking has the Spanish influence among all Asian cuisine. Surprised? You’re not alone. My Kiwi officemates were actually amazed to find out I was of Spanish descent when they asked about my lengthy maiden name.
I’m featuring the Paella today because my sister’s friend was kind enough to cook this for my mom’s birthday lunch.

Flickr Image: avlxyz

(I have the photo, Tom, the previous editor of Noodles and Rice, had the recipe.)
I miss …read more

Thanks to Mama Sita, another delicious find has made its way to my kitchen.
To my fellow overseas Pinoys, here’s a treat to keep the homesickness at bay. For the others, a breakfast/lunch/dinner suggestion, if you may.

While the marinade does its job,

why don’t you fry up some leftover rice and sunny-side up egg to complete your ToSiLog (Tocino-Sinangag-Itlog) ensemble!

Happy cooking!

As requested by my dear sister, this will be one of the dishes that my mom will cook for her birthday lunch on Saturday. (Hence, the photo will follow then.) Much as we wanted to order or dine out to save the birthday girl the trouble of having to cook, we are taking advantage of her skillful presence in the kitchen. Lol!
Ingredients:
1 large fish
1 large onion
2 large green and red sweet pepper, cut into strips
5 tbsps soy sauce
5 tbsps vinegar
4 tbsps brown sugar
2 tbsps cornstarch
vetsin to taste
pinch of black pepper, pounded
Directions:
1. Clean and fry fish and set aside. Fry garlic, …read more

Ingredients:
6 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 large onion, chopped
3 large tomatoes, chopped
1/2 kg chicken, cut into serving pieces
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 lemon, squeezed
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 large red or green sweet bell pepper (or capsicum), chopped
2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
Directions:
1. Saute garlic in oil until golden brown. Add the onion and cook until soft. Add the tomatoes and mash. Stir well.
2. Add the chicken and mix well with the prior ingredients. Add soy sauce and lemon juice. Stir.
3. Add the tomato sauce and 1 cup water. Simmer for 20 minutes. Continue adding water until the chicken becomes tender.
4. Add the …read more

Another favourite of mine for merienda and/or breakfast is Taho. I never tire from eating Taho every morning the last time I visited my folks in the Philippines (which was 2 years ago!). I can’t help it! The vendor is just right outside our doorstep, the same way it’s always been when we were kids. Believe it or not, the same vendor sells it to this day. He used to carry the oversized aluminum tins by way of a wooden plank over his shoulders, on foot, inside our village. Nowadays, he’s got them on board his customised bicycle. His bike …read more

Here’s a tasty, homemade twist to the canned kind. My picky 1-year old liked it and so will you!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup glutinous rice
1 cup sugar
2 cups water
1 can whole kernel corn or 2 cobs of fresh corn, scraped
2 cans coconut milk
Directions:
1. Combine glutinous rice, water and sugar in a deep sauce pan and keep to a boil.
2. After 5 minutes of boiling, add the coconut milk and corn stir well. If rice is tender and soup becomes thick, put off stove. Add a little water if it becomes too thick. Serve hot.
Ahh.. nothing beats a taste of home. Definitely brought …read more

..for the best tasting sampaloc (or is it sampalok?)!

The quest began 2 years ago when my husband and I settled in a foreign country we now call home. Back in the Philippines, it was easy to find the right variety — at the sari-sari store, the supermarket, even the cigarette vendor who sells them while you’re on board the bus to work. Nowadays, whenever we take a trip down the Asian grocery, we almost always check out the aisles for new varieties of the infamous tamarind candy. My sister likes it sour. My husband likes it salty. I like it sweet.
Funny how something I never bothered to …read more

Ingredients:

5 tbsps vegetable or corn oil
4 tbsps minced garlic
1 2-inch piece ginger, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices
1 large onion, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cups uncooked rice
10 cups water
1 1/4 kg chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 1/2 tsps fish sauce
1/4 cup finely chopped spring onions
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Directions:
1. In a stockpot, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil and saute 2 tablespoons of the garlic, the ginger and the onion. The garlic is done when light brown and the onion translucent.
2. Add the rice and saute for 5 minutes then add water. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. …read more

Ingredients:
1/2 kg large shrimps, shelled and deveined
1/2 kg fresh mushrooms, sliced
4 tbsps lard
3 tbsps cornstarch
1/2 tsp powdered ginger
2 tsps soy sauce
salt
Directions:
1. Sprinkle cornstarch, soy sauce and powdered ginger over shrimps. Mix very well.
2. In a skillet, heat lard and stir-fry vegetables. Set aside.
3. Heat remaining oil in skillet and stir-fry shrimps in it for about 3 minutes. Add cooked vegetables to shrimps and combine very well. Add seasoning. Serve hot.
Happy cooking!
Source: Philippine Fiesta Recipes
by Leonarda R Belmonte & Perla B Del Mundo

Ingredients:
1 cup sweet rice flour (Mochiko is a popular brand)
3 cups water
3 cups grated fresh coconut
2 cups toasted sesame seeds
2 cups sugar
Directions:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the sweet rice flour and water to make a smooth dough. With floured hands, shape the dough into small patties, 3 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick.
2. Bring water in a saucepan to a boil and drop in the patties. When they float to the top, scoop them out and coat with grated coconut. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sugar and serve immediately.
I didn’t know anything about Mochiko until I chanced upon …read more