SIMPLE RECIPES

An excerpt from http://www.fisheaters.com/customslent1.html , according to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, the rule for the universal Church during Lent is abstain on all Fridays (inside or outside of Lent) and to both fast and abstain on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. 

Some traditional Catholics might follow the older pattern of fasting and abstinence during this time, which for the universal Church required:

   

• Ash Wednesday, all Fridays, and all Saturdays: fasting and total abstinence. This means 3 meatless meals -- with the two smaller meals not equalling in size the main meal of the day -- and no snacking. 

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays (except Ash Wednesday), and Thursdays: fasting and partial abstinence from meat. This means three meals -- with the two smaller meals not equalling in size the main meal of the day -- and no snacking, but meat can be eaten at the principle meal.

On those days of fasting and abstinence, meatless soup is traditional. Sundays, of course, are always free of fasting and abstinence; even in the heart of Lent, Sundays are about the glorious Resurrection. This pattern of fasting and abstinence ends after the Vigil Mass of Holy Saturday. 

Below are my Simple Recipes good for Lenten season ( and even to those health conscious individuals) :

Sweet Potato Chips

 Ingredients:

Pieces of sweet potatoes ( as many as you like)

1 cup Cooking oil

Cooking Procedure:

1.)    Slice thinly the sweet potatoes.

2.)    Heat in a pan the cooking oil, and fry the sweet potatoes.

3.)    When it is already cooked, transfer the cooked sweet potatoes into a plate.

BOILED CASSAVA IN COCO MILK

Ingredients:

Pieces of cassava ( as many as you like)

Pinch of  salt

Coco milk:   Ground coconut + 1 glass water

                     Ground coconut + 2 glasses water

Cooking  Procedure:

1.)    Peel Cassava

2.)    Cook cassava in coco milk with a pinch of salt.

3.)    Wash cassava

4.)    Then you can eat it with a quick melt butter.

SEAFOOD PINAKBET

Ingredients:

¼ K shrimps (medium size)

¼ K squid (medium size, sliced bite-size)

2 onions, sliced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 Ampalaya ( bitter gourd) sliced to bite-size pieces

2 medium size eggplants, sliced to bite-size pieces

5 pieces okra, sliced diagonally

1 small size squash, sliced into bite-size pieces

2 string beans , cut into bite-size pieces

2 tablespoons cooking oil

3 tablespoons oyster sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 cup water

8g magic sarap

Cooking Procedures:

1.)    Saute garlic, onions, seafoods, oyster sauce, soy sauce. Putting a 4g magic sarap.

2.)    Bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes

3.)    Add  squash and eggplant.  Careful not to overcook.

4.)    Add remaining magic sarap and salt to taste.

5.)    Add all other vegetables, carefully not to overcook.

6.)    Serve hot with plain rice.

The Coconut

     The picture above shows that it's a rare kind.  This coconut is quite different from other coconut found along the beaches or on the mountains/farms.  Aside from its fruit color, this coconut or also known as Cocos nucifera 'Dwarf Golden Malay' is only 4m long( about 12 ft or more).

     From scientific research, it has been proven that the coconut contains plenty of mineral salts and vitamins (A, B, E).  The coconut meat and milk have many curative and nutritious properties, excellent food for babies.  Coconut milk impedes the development of diseases; forms healthy blood; builds strong and healthy organs; fortifies the stomach and intestines; and as such, is also a remedy in cases of weak and slow indigestion, colics and infirmities of the intestines.  Coconut milk is goof for nervous diseases, nervous debility and exhaustion, forgetfulness, weak lungs.

     Grated coconut meat mixed with grated carrots is good remedy against worms and parasites, especially if taken with an empty stomach.

A Very Filipino Dish

I really miss this recipe I learned from my mom.  It's just so simple to cook.
Bangus or any (fresh) Fish is the main ingredient in this recipe.


Other ingredients are as follows:
 1 whole Ginger
 1/2  big sized onions
 2 pcs. garlic, crushed
 1 medium sized Amplaya
 1 medium sized Eggplant
 1/4 cup Vinegar
 1/2 cup Water
 1 pinch salt
 1 pc. magic sarap (optional)


Cut fish into desired slices.  Mix salt and a little magic sarap and apply  on the fish placed in porcelain coated skillet.  Add all other ingredients, except ampalaya.  Bring to boil then lower heat.  Simmer for about 10 minutes turning fish once.  Add amplaya during the last 5 minutes of cooking.  Don't overcook the ampalaya so that it won't spoil it's taste.

GRILLED SHRIMPS

“Shrimps are best cooked when stir-fried, sautéed, and grilled,” says me.  And yes you read it right!  SHRIMPS can be grilled.  At first I’m in two minds with grilled shrimps.  I haven’t eaten yet I guess, looking back the past recipes mom shared.  But when I try this recipe, I really can say “Shrimps are deliciously great when grilled.”

Well, to prepare this menu, first thing to do is: clean the shrimp by rinsing the shrimps in shells with water.  Remove the hairs.  Next thing is to sprinkle with lemon juice and salt.  Then, Place the shrimps on rack and brush top with melted butter.  Then grill at 246°C for 10 minutes.

 Very healthy and satisfying, isn’t it?  If I were you, better try this low-calorie menu.  Shrimps are quite beneficial for its high protein & iron content.  

Fruit & Veggie Salad

                I really thought of mixing fruits and vegetables for a change.  It is so because of events from city fiesta to birthdays, Thanksgiving that I can’t avoid eating much meat.  But mind you I’m quite certain this one is quite nutritional.  It really boost one’s appetite.  Eating them raw and fresh is really awesome!  I hope you all like it, too!  Here its is how to prepare a delicious salad like this recipe.  Enjoy! ( my apology I forgot to include an image of the recipe).

Ingredients:

3 pcs.  Apple

1 pc.   Pineapple (small size) 

2 pcs. Carrots

1 pc    Bitter Gourd (Ampalaya)

2 pcs. Mexican turnip ( Singkamas)

3 pcs. Cucumber  (Pepino)

Lemon juice extracted from 500 pcs (maximum) of lemons

3 Tablespoons  Sugar

Procedure:

1.  Slice all fruits and vegetables into small cubes except bitter gourd wherein it should be long, slanting  ( or you can slice it any way you want to).

2.  Place them, mixed in a salad bowl.  Set aside.

3.  Mix lemon juice and sugar. Stir to taste ( sweet sour).

Chicken Pandan Recipe

This is an amazingly delicious recipe that's just so easy to cook, anyone can make this at home.    The ingredients are can be easily found in a supermarket.  Anyone can also personalize this recipe as you like it the way it taste.  This makes a family serving.

Ingredients:

9 pcs.          chicken fillets (medium size)
9 pcs.          matured pandan leaves
3 Tbsp.       worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp.       oyster sauce
1 tsp.          white pepper
1 cup          coconut milk
1/4 cup       white sugar
1 Tbsp.       sesame seeds
2 cups         cooking oil


How to cook:

 1.  Mix worcestershire sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, pepper, coconut milk, sugar, sesame seeds.
 2.  Marinate chicken fillets overnight.
 3.  Wrap the chicken in pandan leaves.
 4.  Deep fry until golden brown.
 5.  Serve with chili sauce
      

Seafood spaghetti

Pasta spaghetti meal is my most favorite food anytime of the day.  Sometimes its satisfying just having a spaghetti on the dinner table for a meal.  What I have for now is a new recipe of mine.  An experiment, instead of meat with spaghetti pasta,  I used seafoods like shrimps & squids.  Hope this taste good.

1          kilo          pasta spaghetti

1/4       kilo          shrimps (medium -large size), unshelled and w/o head also

1/4       kilo          squids, cut into small circle size

2          pcs.         onions, chopped

3          cloves      garlic, crushed

1          500g       spaghetti sauce

2         stalks       celery

1         small        cheese

1         Tbsp        olive oil

2          tsp          fresh parsley (chopped)
2          tsp          grated  cheese

Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: Cook pasta spaghetti according to package directions.

Step 2: In a skillet cook in olive oil the garlic, chopped onion and seafoods ( shrimps and squid)

Step 3: Add spaghetti sauce, celery

Step 4: Mix pasta spaghetti and seafood spaghetti sauce. Top with parsley and cheese for serving.

FLAN -tastic custard

A Filipino custard made from egg yolks and/or eggs, milk, and sugar.  Actually the recipe is not my original recipe.  I just follow this recipe I got from a news magazine.  This is quite different from what my mother taught me so I try this one and find everything great. Yummy!


Leche flan is either steamed or baked.  There are innumerable ways to make this popular dessert  in an oval (or any shape)  mold called a llanera/lyanera (lya-ner-AH) that has been lined with caramelized sugar.

Ingredients

Caramel:

1 cup white sugar

1/8 cup water

1/8  white vinegar

Flan

8 egg yolks

¾ cup sugar

1½ cups fresh milk

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Fill a 13x9 roasting pan halfway with water. Let heat inside the oven while it preheats. This is the water bath.

2. Meanwhile, mix ingredients for caramel in a heavy-bottomed sauce pan. On medium heat, stir until sugar has dissolved. Once mixture boils, do not stir. Let mixture boil until it becomes a light golden brown. Immediately drizzle the caramel into a 9x5 loaf pan or into 2 llaneras. Tilt the pan(s) so that the caramel completely covers the bottom(s).

3. In a bowl, thoroughly mix the flan ingredients. Strain mixture into the prepared pan(s). Place mixture into pan(s). Cook in the water bath for 40 minutes, or until 1 hour. A knife inserted in the middle of the flan should come out clean.

4. Cool the flan still in the water bath at room temperature for 30 minutes. Remove from the water bath and un-mold onto a platter.

Parmesan Cheese on Spaghetti Carbo

Spaghetti Carbo (Spaghetti Carbonara) is a classic dish that combines bacon with noodles, an egg mixture and a delicious wine sauce. The Parmesan cheese is an important ingredient. It is because of the flavor that it adds. Enjoy!


Ingredients:
1 kilo spaghetti
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 slices bacon (diced)
1/4 ground pork
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion (chopped)
1 garlic clove (minced)
¼ cup white wine
4 eggs
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Cooking Instructions:

Step 1: In a small bowl combine eggs, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside. Cook noodles according to package directions.

Step 2: While noodles are coking. In a medium skillet over medium heat cook bacon until slightly crispy. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add garlic , chopped onion and ground pork, and cook until the onion is tender. Add wine and cook for another minute.

Step 3: Drain noodles when they are finished cooking and put into a large serving dish. While the noodles are still very hot toss them with the parmesan/egg mixture. Then add the ground pork , onion and wine mixture and toss well to coat. Then add bacon and toss again. Top with parsley and additional parmesan cheese for serving.
(Makes 6 Servings)