Monday, July 30, 2007

· Bulanglang

Ingredients:


1 cup malunggay leaves
1 cup fried tokwa cubes
1 cup squash, cubed
1 cup rice washing
1 cup upo, sliced
Salt to taste
1/2 onion, sliced
1/2 cup sliced tomatoes


Preparations:

Mix tomatoes, onion and squash in deep sauce pan or pot.

add rice washing and boil.

After 5 minutes cooking, add tokwa and upo.

When upo is almost tender, add malunggay and cook for 2 more minutes.

· Coconut Soup

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups coconut meat, 2 cloves garlic, crushed
medium soft, chopped 1 small onion, chopped
4 cups water 2 leaves lemon grass (tanglad)
1 tablespoon oil Salt to taste

· Filipino Leche Flan Recipe

Ingredients:


1 can (390g) evaporated milk

1 can (390g) condensed milk

10 egg yolks

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or lemon essence

For the caramel:

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup water


Preparations:

In a saucepan, mix the sugar & water. Bring to a boil for a few minutes until the sugar caramelize.

Pour the caramelized sugar into aluminum moulds - you can use any shape: oval, round or square. Spread the caramel on the bottom of the moulds.

Mix well the evaporated milk, condensed milk, egg yolks and vanilla by hand or blender.

Gently pour the mixture on top of the caramel on the aluminum moulds. Fill the moulds to about 1 to 1 1/4 inch thick.

Cover moulds individually with aluminum foil.

Steam for about 20 minutes OR

Bake for about 45 minutes. Before baking the Leche Flan, place the moulds on a larger baking pan half filled with very hot water. Pre-heat oven to about 370 degrees before baking.

Let cool then refrigerate.

To serve: run a thin knife around the edges of the mould to loosen the Leche Flan. Place a platter on top of the mould and quickly turn upside down to position the golden brown caramel on top.

· Banana Bud With Sotanghon(vermicelli)

Ingredients:


1 medium-sized banana bud
1 tablespoon soy sauce

4 tokwa squares
2 tablespoons onion, sliced

1-1/3 cup tomato, sliced
2 segment garlic, minced

Sotanghon(vermicelli)


Preparations:

Cut the banana bud into small pieces.

Put in a bowl of water with salt. Let it Stand for 3 minutes.

Slice the tokwa into desired size and fry.

Sauté the minced garlic, sliced onion and tomato in vegetable oil.

Drain the soaked banana bud and sauté together with the ingredients.

Mix the fried tokwa.

Pour two cups of water. Let it boil.

Then add the sotanghon which had been soaked in water.

Season with soy sauce and salt.

· Fried Eggs With Sweet Sour Sauce

Ingredients:

6 eggs 1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon kalamansi juice 2 tablespoons soy sauce
6 tablespoons oil 1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch

Preparations:

Heat oil. Fry eggs one by one, sunny side up, then fold each egg in half, frying
until both sides are light brown. Set aside on a plate.

combine soy sauce, kalamansi juice. sugar and flour, and simmer eggs lightly in this mixture before serving.

· Banana Blossom Kilawin

Ingredients:


2 banana blossoms
4 tablespoons oil

1 cup fried tokwa cubes
2 cups
water
4 cloves crushed garlic
2 tablespoons kalamansi juice
1 onion, sliced
Salt to taste
Dash of, peppers


Preparations:

Remove tough covering of the blossom slice thin crosswise.

Squeeze it with salt and then rinse. Set aside.

Mix tokwa, sliced onion and kalamansi juice.

Sauté garlic and add the tokwa mixture.

Add water, salt and pepper and continue cooking.

Then add the blossom. Turn over constantly till tender.

serve hot.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings.

· Ampalaya(bitter melon)With Eggs

Ingredients:


1-1/2 cups ampalaya, sliced thin crosswise
1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1/2 cup tomatoes, sliced
2 eggs, slightly beaten

2 tablespoons shortening
1/4 cup onion, minced

1/4 cup water
Salt to taste


Preparations:

Sauté garlic and onion in 2 tablespoons of shortening or oil.

add tomatoes and water, cover and cook for 2 minutes. add sliced ampalaya, cover and cook for 3 more minutes. Season with salt.

Add the beaten eggs spreading all over the vegetables.

Cook over slow heat until the eggs are slightly firm. Add an extra 2 tablespoons of oil if necessary to keep the eggs from sticking.

Avoid stirring the vegetables as it squeezes more of the bitter flavor of the vegetables and makes the dish unpalatable.

· Guinataang Papaya

Ingredients:


2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 cup thick coconut milk (second extraction)
8-10 heads of garlic, minced
1/2 cup slivered ginger
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 cup thick coconut cream (first extraction)
1 medium green papaya, slivered thinly
MSG (optional)
Salt to taste


Preparations:

In a pan heat cooking oil and saute garlic.

When garlic starts to turn brown, add the ginger and peppercorns and saute while pressing down to pulverize mixture. Saute the papaya in the pan.

Pour in second extraction of coconut milk, salt and MSG, Cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until papaya turns transparent.

Add first extraction of coconut milk and simmer 5 minutes more. Correct seasoning.

May serve already at this point unless you want it of thicker consistency, in which case, let it simmer on low heat until of desired consistency.

· Crispy KangKong

Ingredients:


4 bunches kangkong leaves, cleaned 1-1/2 cup water
3 cups corn starch 5 cups cooking oil
1 cup flour
1 pc boiled egg, grated medium
salt and monosodium glutamate ( MSG) to taste


Preparations:

Wash kangkong and drain leaves thoroughly.

Remove leaves from stem. Set aside.

In a clean mixing bowl combine cornstarch, flour, egg, MSG, salt and water ( batter mixture ).

Mix until smooth in consistency.

Heat oil to 250°F and reduce fire to medium.

Dip kangkong leaves one by one in batter and deep fry until crispy.

Put fried leaves in a plate lined with table tissue to drain oil from kangkong leaves.

serve with sauce on the side.

Friday, July 27, 2007

· Filipino Lumpia

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup minced carrots
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced green cabbage
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 30 lumpia wrappers
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Preparations:

  1. Place a wok or large skillet over high heat, and pour in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Cook pork, stirring frequently, until no pink is showing. Remove pork from pan and set aside. Drain grease from pan, leaving a thin coating. Cook garlic and onion in the same pan for 2 minutes. Stir in the cooked pork, carrots, green onions, and cabbage. Season with pepper, salt, garlic powder, and soy sauce. Remove from heat, and set aside until cool enough to handle.
  2. Place three heaping tablespoons of the filling diagonally near one corner of each wrapper, leaving a 1 1/2 inch space at both ends. Fold the side along the length of the filling over the filling, tuck in both ends, and roll neatly. Keep the roll tight as you assemble. Moisten the other side of the wrapper with water to seal the edge. Cover the rolls with plastic wrap to retain moisture.
  3. Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat, add oil to 1/2 inch depth, and heat for 5 minutes. Slide 3 or 4 lumpia into the oil. Fry the rolls for 1 to 2 minutes, until all sides are golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately.

· Grilled Chicken Adobo

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 3/4 cup vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs

Preparations:

  1. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil grate.
  2. In a large pot, mix soy sauce, water, vinegar, honey, garlic, bay leaves, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, and place the chicken into the pot. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 35 to 40 minutes.
  3. Remove chicken, drain on paper towels, and set aside. Discard bay leaves. Return the mixture to a boil, and cook until reduced to about 1 1/2 cups.
  4. Place chicken on the prepared grill, about 5 minutes on each side, until browned and crisp. Serve with the remaining soy sauce mixture.

· Filipino Avocado Milkshake

Ingredients:

  • 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and cubed
  • 5 cubes ice
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 1/3 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon or lime juice
  • 1 scoop vanilla ice cream

Preparations:

Place avocado, ice, sugar, milk, lemon juice, and ice cream into a blender. Puree until smooth.

Chinky's Bibingka

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups grated fresh cassava
  • 3 cups coconut milk
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 egg yolks, beaten

Preparations:

  1. NOTE: Cassava, also known as Manioc, tapioca or yucca, can be found in Filipino or Latin American food stores. Usually sold frozen and grated. Mix together the cassava with the coconut milk, melted butter and eggs. Stir in the white sugar, salt, vanilla, cheese and lemon rind.
  2. Pour batter into a 9x5 inch loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F (175 C) for 30-35 minutes or until done.
  3. To Make Topping: Put 2 cups coconut milk, condensed milk, flour, and some grated cheese in a saucepan and boil, stirring constantly. When thick, add the slightly beaten egg yolks. Cook for two minutes. Spread on top of the cooked cassava and bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for ten minutes or until golden brown.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Christianity

Christianity; what does in mean to you? What do you think about that word? What comes to your mind whenever you hear that word? What persons or things come to your mind when you hear that word? Do you also like other person that thinks that a Christian word means that it’s a religion? Well I cannot blame them. Many people really believed that the word Christian means that it is a religion. Many people are saying that Christian people are different from the other. It’s true that Christian people are really different because their lives are dedicated to Jesus Christ.

But what other people don’t know is that the word Christian is deeper than what they think it is. It’s not just a religion. Yes, the word Christian is a name of a religion. But for us Christians, it’s not. We can say that because the word Christianity is not a matter of religion but it’s a matter of relationship with Jesus Christ. That’s the real meaning of the word Christian. It’s not what the people think it is.

We Christians are always open to other people. Note that when we get the word Christ in the word Christian, the remaining letters are: i, a, n. Do you know what it means? It simply means that, without Christ, I am nothing! Isn’t it true? Can you do something without Him (Christ)? Of course not! We can never do something without Him! He is the only One Who can do anything, not us.

That’s what the word Christian means. It’s not just a religion. As long as your god is Jesus Christ, we are one! Because Jesus Christ will always treat His children fairly and equally. He is always a good judge and a loving Father.

I’m hoping that someday, people will know the real meaning of the word Christian because it’s really important to know that real meaning of the word. But of course, being a Christian is always a good life. I can say that Christians have nice and good lives because even if we are persecuted, we are not abandoned. We are pressed, but we are not crushed. We are struck down but not destroyed. That’s the message of the song, “I’m Trading”.

Christianity is not just a word. But it carries the word of Jesus Christ. Because when you say that you are a Christian, then it means that you have already accepted Him (Christ) as your personal savior and Lord. No matter what race you belong, as long as you have accepted His free gift of salvation, we are one! And of course, you are a Christian! That’s what Christianity means. It’s not a matter of religion, but it’s a matter of relationship with God, as what I said, a while ago.

But if you are really a Christian, you have to put it into action. Because they other people say that, “action, speaks louder than words”. It’s not easy to be a Christian, I tell you. But you have complete peace with Jesus Christ.

A love affair with MV Doulos and Books

MV Doulos is a ship wherein we can find lots of beautiful books. It is where we can find lots of books that are very affordable. Last February 13, 2007, we went to MV Doulos. It’s already my third time to went there. Actually, the youth of our church, including me, already went to MV Doulos. And we went there twice. It was really enjoyable in MV Doulos. When we went there, we were in the conference hall. We were having a praise and worship conference. It was a very nice experience!

Just like I said a while ago, last February 13, 2007, the students in UP including me, went to MV Doulos. It was at that time that I bought two books.

I thought at first that MV Doulos is just a ship all about books and other stuffs. But what I didn’t expected was that the people aboard are Christians! And in fact, they are also dedicating their lives to God! I didn’t expect that the people in there are on board because it’s their job! But it’s not! They are there because they are offering what they are doing to God. And it’s very nice to know that they’re not doing it for themselves but for God! Isn’t it great? I really thought at first that MV Doulos is just somewhat a library! It’s just a place full of books. But it’s more than that, it is a place where people are put together to serve Jesus Christ and help Him draw people back to Him.

When we went there, I bought two books entitled, “The Peacemaker” by Lori Copeland and “Future Leader” by Viv Thomas. Both books are nice! The “The Peacemaker”, is a nice book! It tells about a story of a girl who is taking revenge! And she learned that it’s not good to take revenge on somebody because God is the only One Who can handle that matter. And it’s a good lesson isn’t it? While the “Future Leader”, is talking about being a good future leader. And I have already picked up lots of lessons in that book. And it’s very nice to have something for you out from your hard work. Because the money I spent for the books are my savings. Because mostly, when I save money, I’m not the one who is going to use the money. But at that time, I was the one who benefited on the money. There are lots of books in MV Doulos that I liked. But I lack money so I can’t buy all I want. But it’s still an experience for me to be able to have a chance in going to MV Doulos. Their books really have lots of moral lessons in life. There are lots of books that can help you to have a better life. It’s like wisdom for the way.

Next year, MV Doulos will no longer come here in the Philippines. They say maybe four years from now. Because they will still have to, it’s like a renovation because the ship is so old. But anyway, I’m still looking forward to the day wherein I can go to MV Doulos again.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Global Warming!!!

Look around you; can you see the difference? Did you notice the change in our surroundings? Or it’s just that you don’t care? Look closely to our surroundings; is there
a change? Yes, there is! And the change in our surroundings right now is dangerous. It can affect all of us. But there is a problem. People are not aware of the changes in or surroundings and its bad effects. Or maybe they are already aware but they are just taking it for granted. People are not taking any action to solve this problem.
Global warming! That’s the problem right now! And it’s getting worse! And if we don’t get rid of this right away, it will become worst! The world is facing a problem that is hard to solve. But we all know that there’s no problem that cannot be solved. As we all know, global warming is the main issue that the country is facing right now.
Last week, we watched a film entitled “An Inconvenient Truth”. That film was really something that will wake people up from deep slumber. It’s something worth remembering.
When I was still young, I’m already aware of global warming. They say that our ozone layer is having a very big hole in it. And I was confused. If the ozone layer is having a hole, then it’s easier for the heat from the sun to go out in space. But what I didn’t know was that it is protecting us from the heat of the sun. And they also said that the ice and the glaciers in other countries are already melting. Then I said to myself that, “If the ice are melting, then its good so that other places will not suffer of to much cold.” But when I watched film I learned that ice serves as a mirror for the heat of the sun so that it would be release in space as infrared radiation. And I learned that if the ice and glaciers were going to melt, it would result to rise of water level. And when the water level will overflow! If that happens, it will be the end of us all! It’s scary to think isn’t it? It’s very dangerous if that happens. And if we don’t do something, we will surely suffer.
But there are ways for us to prevent global warming. We can always contribute to hinder global warming in our own little way. Little things that we do is always a big help to prevent this problem. It’s really very important for us to solve this problem because not only us will suffer, but also the future generation. And it will be unfair to the next generation because they are the ones who will suffer the consequences of our bad activities.
We can still solve this problem if we will just cooperate and help each other. This problem is not only our country’s problem, but it’s for the whole world’s problem. We must all help in solving ”Global warming!”

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Street Children

When you hear the word street children, what usually comes into to your mind? Do you think that they are the rugby boys? Or do you think that they are the children who are bothering you because of asking money? Yes they are out there in the streets calling for justice and dreaming of having a comfortable life! When you see them, do feel sorry for them? Or maybe you are avoiding them because they might steal something from you? Why don’t you put yourself in their place? Why don’t you see for yourself the situation that they are in? Many people say that children are the hope for our country. But how can they be the hope of our country if they are already hopeless? They already think of themselves as nothing! I know that street children are really that bad. They are just influenced by teenagers that are also influenced by the wicked world. They are thinking of themselves that there’s no hope for them to have a new, and peaceful life. They are having a hard time in having a dream for themselves. They are lost! They need our help! But are we helping them? We are afraid to help them because we think that they are wicked. But don’t you know that they have also feelings? They are just hiding their fear because if they show their fear, they are not going to be accepted in a group. And besides, they think that when they show their fear, they are not in within a place. I know that deep inside their hearts, they are also afraid, but they manage not to show it. They are just hiding their fear.

Women and children are just associated to each other, because both of them are treated as second-class. Children are also helpless because they are not yet expose to the world and what is it all about. And if they are already expose to the world, they are going to be influence by the wicked world. The same with the women, children are also treated as minors. Just like I wrote above, how can they be the hope for our country if they, themselves lack hope? How can they be the future leaders if they are not guided the way for them to be a leader? Isn’t unfair for the children’s part to have a life like that, wherein they are wasting their time of doing nothing? Wasting their time doing some things that will destroy their lives?

Everyday, we can see lots of children walking along the streets bring with them a sack to look for garbage that can still be use, so that they can sell it. Look at their hands! There hands are supposed to be holding a pencil. Look at their feet! Their feet are supposed to wear school shoes. Their life must have an importance because they are the hope of our country. They are supposed to be in school! In school! Where they can learn a lot for their future!