TABS

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Tabirak, Binignit, Ginataan Recipe (Filipino Dessert / Sweets)

 
Another Filipino dessert / sweets. Another one that I really love to eat, specially when my mom makes it. She doesn't make it too much since it's got coconut milk and it's too sweet. This typical dessert is good to eat warm or cold. I prefer it warm, I have tried it cold but it's not my thing.

This recipe my my moms, so this is the way she explained it to me.
Water (How much water mom) Ahhh, it depends if you like it watery or thicker (LMAO). She then proceed to say, a little bit of this and a half a bag of that and so on. So anyway, I have it changed so you can understand it. This type of food is hard to mess up since it's already a messy mess to begin with.

What you need:
  • WATER (like mom said it depends on how much you want to make or how thick you want it, so start with 8 cups of water and if it's too sticky for you you can always add more but you can't take out)
  • 1 CUP SWEET RICE ( Pilit or sticky rice)
  • 2 CUPS TAPIOCA
  • 2 RIPE PLANTAINS / PLATANOS (Philippine banana if available - SABA)
  • 2 SWEET POTATO (Medium size)
  • 1 YUTIA LARGE (This is optional if not available just add more banana or sweet potato)
  • 1 CUP OF JACKFRUIT (Or one can, this is also optional, I don't like it so I don't use it)
  • Brown sugar (You have to taste it as you do the cooking)
  • 2 CANS Coconut milk (or fresh coconut milk, if available)
Direction:
1) Soak the tapioca in a warm water and let it sit for 30 minutes or so, since tapioca is hard and sticks together so you want it to sit for a while.
2) Boil water on a large pot.
3) Place the sweet rice on the boiling pot, constantly stir the pot so the rice won't stick.
4) Place the tapioca if you think the rice is almost cooked, then just jeep an eye and stir to keep them no to stick to each other. (You can add more water little by little if it's too sticky, and don't forget you still have the coconut milk in the end)
5) Add the banana and make sure the banana is almost cook before adding the yutia and yams. Cook until all is soft and done, then add the brown sugar and just keep tasting it until you reached the sweetness you want.
6) place the coconut milk in the end when everything is cook and stir well.
7) Taste one more time *smirk* and make sure everything is cooked, then enjoy! You can share some or not but you better share coz there's a lot.


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Friday, June 24, 2011

Kitchen ODORS 101 - Tricks and Tips

From time to time, I post kitchen tips and tricks. I know it doesn't have anything to do with food, but it's somewhat related since it's about our kitchen. It's where you cook and bake so you want to keep it clean and smelling good.

These are some of the problems and the solution to prevent or get rid of it.

THE STINK: Garbage Disposal
THE SOLUTION: Pour a cup of boiling water through the disposal, which will clean of the blades. Then grind up citrus peels like lemon or orange rind.


THE STINK: Refrigerator
THE SOLUTION: Soak a cotton ball in vanilla extract, then put it in a little bowl on the lowest ope shelf. remove in a few days when dry. (If you prefer the smell of coffee, try a bowl of used coffee grounds instead)


THE STINK: Dishwasher
THE SOLUTION: A half-full dishwasher can stink up a kitchen in no time, so run the light rinse with no soap. The steam will remove most of the food. If odors persist, get in the empty machine with a sponge and nailbrush, and clean out all the filters and parts on the bottom-something is likely stuck.


THE STINK: Stove
THE SOLUTION: Before you turn on the burner, turn on the range hood - every single time. Why? Some of the particles and gases that come off the stovetop while you're cooking have been connected to respiratory health problems, particularly in children. And regularly clean your range hood filters (you can actually access it by snapping of the tabs near the vent)


4 Safe anti-smell cleaning weapons


BAKING SODA mix it with water to create a paste to wash walls or other surfaces that smell, or leave an open box in enclosed spaces that are odorous, such as the bottom of the laundry bin or garbage can.

BORAX just as useful as baking soda, but more concentrated. Dump 2 tsp. in the garage disposal, wipe down smelly surfaces with a mix of 1/2 tsp. of borax and a cup of warm water, or spray the mixture on plants to kill bugs and mold (and not the plant).

VINEGAR white vinegar and water, mixed in equal parts, sanitizes. And that vinegar smell disappears as soon as it dries. Try the mixture in coffeemakers, as well as on any non-stone surfaces around the house.

THE VACUUM vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Really. It removes an array of particulates, which prevents all sorts of future smelly growth. HEPA vacuum filters are ideal because they capture and remove many more particulates, but even a regular vacuum will help substantially.


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Monday, June 20, 2011

Banana cream pie w/ chocolate chips, marshmallow and chocolate drizzle Recipe


Super easy Banana pudding recipe for a quick dessert and with the summer in full gear, you don't have to turn your oven on. All you need is your fridge to set the pie.
WANT TO MAKE ONE? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED.

  • 1 Large store bought graham pie crust (Yup, I was feeling lazy. It was one of those days)
  • 1 Large Box Banana instant pudding - JELLO
  • 3 cups really cold milk
  • 1 large banana sliced
  • Marshmallow (optional)
  • chocolate chips (optional)
  • chocolate drizzle (optional)

  1. * Pour milk on a large bowl and add the jello pudding (powder). whisk or use an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes. Add in some chocolate chips (depends on how much you want to add into the bowl, I just took a handful and dump it into the bowl)
  2. * Transfer into the pie crust. Add the banana slice on top and marshmallow (optional)
  3. * Add some chocolate chip sprinkle on the side (optional)
  4. * Place in fridge for 1 or 2 hours to set, then enjoy!
Great for a warm summer treat and the kids loved it. I mean who doesn't like Banana?

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

Sweet Bread Dough RECIPE


My last post was 2 weeks ago, but it felt like I haven't posted anything in over a month. Time does fly so fast these days.

So with the weather heating up, I haven't had the chance of turning the oven on. Even with the AC the house still gets too hot if I bake something. So this bread, I baked a while back and has been on the to post hold for while.

I got this recipe from a good friend and I've made this bread a few times differently. I have tweaked it a bit, depending on what fillings I add, or not add.

You need:
  • 1 cup of lukewarm milk
  • 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup soft butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour


What to do:

1. Put the lukewarm milk into a large mixing bowl and add the yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes to ferment. Stir and add sugar, salt, butter and eggs, beat thoroughly
2. Add just 1 1/2 cup of the flour ( the remaining 1 cup will be used later). Let the dough rise for 40 minutes, then add the remaining flour.
3. Use enough flour to make the dough just barely firm enough to handle.
4. Cover and chill for a least 30 minutes in the fridge
5. Now, this dough is ready for shaping.
6. You may transfer the dough into a lightly floured board and shape it into balls or place the dough into a greased loaf pan (if you plan on making it with filling) or muffin pan if you want to just make it into rolls.
7. At this point, the dough will deflate, so you have to let it rise again until it doubles in bulk covered with clean dish cloth.
8. Brush with melted butter or egg white and bake at 400F for 12-20 minutes (depending on the size ) or until it is golden brown.
9. I sprinkled mine with sesame seed, but you can omit it if you don't like sesame seed.