Grilled Chicken Salpicao

Attention, busy moms! We have yummy lunch box meals you can make ahead of time.

Chicken breast is a convenient baon as it cooks quickly and blends well with different sauces and marinades.

Takes 20 minutes

Makes 4 servings

½ kilo chicken breast fillet, ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce, ¼ cup liquid seasoning, 3 tablespoons chopped garlic, 1 tablespoon calamansi juice, salt and pepper to taste

Marinate the chicken in a mixture of the remaining ingredients for at least 15 minutes or longer. Grill or pan-fry until done. Serve with blanched mixed vegetables and rice.

Meatball Baguettes

Serve as an open-faced sandwich or make into a regular two-bread sandwich.

Takes 20 minutes

Makes 4 servings

300 grams ground lean sirloin

Salt and pepper

½ teaspoon cumin

½ teaspoon paprika

1 egg

½ cup vegetable oil

1 small baguette

1 tablespoon three-cheese

Tomato sauce

Slices of quickmelt cheese

1. Mix sirloin, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and egg in a small stainless steel bowl. With your hands, form mixture into balls.

2. In a small deep pot over a medium high flame, heat vegetable oil and deep fry meatballs until done, about 3 minutes.

3. Cut baguette either in rounds, for an open sandwich, or on the side. Lay meatballs on top of baguette slices.

4. Spoon over 1 tablespoon three-cheese tomato sauce and top with a thin slice of quickmelt cheese.

5. Broil in an oven toaster until the cheese melts.

Pica-Pica Feast

Grocery ingredients for dishes that are easy to make.

Takes 15 minutes

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Base

1 pack frozen French fries, fried until crisp and golden brown or 1 big bag nachos or tortilla chips

Chili Con Carne Topping

1 big can chili con carne

1 tomato, chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 container sour cream

Corned Beef Topping

1 big can corned beef

1 pack or can pizza sauce

3 tablespoons canned whole corn kernels

1/3 cup grated cheese

1. Pile either French fries, nachos, or tortilla chips on a platter.

2. To make Chili Con Carne Topping: Heat the chili in a skillet or in the microwave. Add some Tabasco sauce if you want it hot. Spread over the fries or nachos. Top with chopped tomatoes and onions. Drizzle with sour cream.

3. To make Corned Beef Topping: Heat the pizza sauce in a skillet. Add the corned beef and whole corn. Cook until heated through. Pour over the fries or nachos. Drizzle with bottled cheese sauce or lots of grated cheese and spring onions.

Macau Fried Rice

Tired of plain old white rice? Try this yummy variation.

Takes 15 minutes

Makes 4 to 6 servings

2 tablespoons oil

2 eggs, beaten

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 piece Chinese chorizo, sliced

1 small pack frozen mixed vegetables

6 cups cooked rice

1 pack fried rice seasoning

1. Heat the oil then cook the egg. Set aside.

2. In the same pan, add more oil then saute the garlic and fried rice seasoning. Add chorizo and vegetables. Simmer for 1 minute.

3. Add the rice and stir-fry until well combined.

4. Before serving, top with chopped scrambled egg.

Chocolate Ice Box Cake

A delicious no-bake chocolatey dessert

Takes 40 minutes

Makes 8 to 10 servings

2 squares baking chocolate, cut into small pieces

½ cup white sugar

¼ cup fresh milk

½ cup butter

1 cup confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar)

4 tablespoons white sugar

Pinch of salt

Lady fingers

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 eggs

Additional milk

1. Melt chocolate, sugar, and milk in a small stockpot over low fire. Add egg yolks and a pinch of salt. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Set aside to chill in the refrigerator.

2. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and confectioner’s sugar till fluffy. Mix in the cooled chocolate mixture. Beat the egg whites till soft. Add in 4 tablespoons sugar and vanilla. Fold in beaten egg whites to the chocolate-butter mixture.

3. Dip lady fingers in a bowl of milk to moisten. Line in an 8x8x2 inch glass dish with moistened lady fingers. Top and spread with half the filling. Repeat with another layer. Chill for at least 30 minutes. Serve cold.

Fruits and Pudding

A delightful dessert in just two shakes.

Takes 15 minutes

Makes 4 to 6 servings

1 pack instant pudding (vanilla)

Milk

1 small can fruit cocktail, drained

1 red and 1 green apple, cubed

1 banana, sliced

¼ cup crushed nuts or peanut brittle

¼ cup chocolate cookie crumbs

¼ cup crushed graham crackers

1. Prepare the pudding according to the package directions.

2. Half-fill glasses or dessert cups with the fruits.

3. Top with the pudding mix and sprinkle with nuts or crumbs. Serve at once.

Kesong Puti Soft Tacos

A kid-friendly dinner in under 30 minutes

3 spring onions, sliced thinly

3 ripe tomatoes, cut into ½ -inch chunks

1 ripe avocado, peeled, seeded, and cut into ½ -inch chunks

¼ small head romaine lettuce, sliced thinly (2 cups)

¼ cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves

1 cup mild or medium-hot salsa

1 package kesong puti, cut into cubes

12 (6-inch) corn tortillas, warmed

1 lime, cut into 4 wedges

1. On a platter, arrange green onions, tomatoes, avocado, lettuce, and cilantro. Pour salsa into serving bowl.

2. Heat nonstick 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add cheese and heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until dark brown in spots, turning over once.

3. Place 1 slice cheese in each tortillas and fold in half. Serve tortillas immediately, adding green onions, tomatoes, avocado, lettuce, and cilantro, salsa, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Total time: 25 minutes. 

Makes 4 main-dish servings. 

Each serving:  About 545 calories, 26 g protein, 29 g total fat (13 saturated), 49 g carbohydrates, 9 g fiber, 60 mg cholesterol, 1,300 mg sodium.

TIP You can also use shredded Monterey Jack – make sure you put the cheese on warmed tortillas so it melts a little.

Chicken and Vegetables in Peanut Curry Sauce

A family dinner in under 30 minutes!

Takes 20-25 minutes

Makes 6 servings

½ kilo chicken breast fillet

1 pack seasoned breading mix

Oil for pan-frying

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 big can coconut cream

½ cup water

½ cup peanut butter

5 pieces okra, halved

1 bundle sitaw, sliced

1 red bell pepper, cubed

1. Coat chicken with seasoned breading mix.

2. Pan-fry until tender and golden brown. Cool slightly then cut into strips. Set aside.

3. In a pan, heat some oil then saute garlic and onions. Add curry powder.

4. Pour in the coconut cream, water, and peanut butter. Stir to blend. Bring to a simmer.

5. Add the vegetables and cook until done.

6. Add the chicken and cook until heated through. If the sauce is too thick, add more water. Season to taste.

7. Serve with rice or grilled pita bread.

Each serving: Approximately 464 calories, 32.8 g protein, 29.6 g fat, 9.3 g carbohydrates.

Spicy Braised Beef Casserole

Ingredients:

500 grams beef brisket (beef nilaga), cubed

1 tsp garlic, minced

1 tsp ginger, minced

2 tsps soy sauce

1 tbsp Chinese wine (can substitute with rice wine)

1 pc red bell pepper, cubed

1 pc green bell pepper, cubed

Sauce Mix:

2 cups beef stock (dissolve 1 cube of beef bouillon in 2 cups water)

2 tbsps Lee Kum Kee Chili Bean Sauce

1 tbsp Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce

1 tsp cornstarch, dissolved in 1/8 cup water

Procedure:

1. Saute garlic and ginger. Add beef, soy sauce and Chinese wine. Stir-fry until beef changes color.

2. Add sauce mix except cornstarch. Bring to a boil and then simmer until beef is tender.

3. When the beef is cooked, thicken sauce with the cornstarch solution.

4. Add bell peppers and continue to simmer for 1 minute.

5. Serve hot.

(Serves 4-5 persons)

Prep. Time: 15 mins

Cooking Time: 45 mins

Purefoods Maple Flavored Bacon with French Toast and Whipped Flavored Butter

YOU WILL NEED:

1 pack PUREFOODS MAPLE FLAVORED BACON (200 gm)

French Toast:

12 slices white loaf bread

3 pcs eggs

1 tsp cinnamon powder

2 cups Magnolia Fresh Milk

¼ cup Magnolia Gold Butter

Whipped Flavored Butter:

½ cup Magnolia Gold Butter (unsalted), softened

2 tbsps powdered sugar

2 tbsps Magnolia Best Fruits Strawberry Jam

HERE’S HOW:

Whisk eggs and add milk. Stir in cinnamon. Dip slices of bread and pan-fry in melted butter. Remove from pan and drain in paper towels. Keep warm and set aside.

Pan-fry bacon until crisp and golden. Set aside.

Prepare butter by combining butter and sugar. Blend well. Stir in jam. Mix well.

To serve, arrange French toast on a plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Spoon prepared butter on French toast and put bacon on the side.

Makes 6 servings.

Leche Flan

17 whole eggs

3 cups sugar

4 ½ cans evaporated milk

¾ tbsp calamansi

1. In a llanera, put 1 tbsp sugar. Melt over low fire and spread evenly. Let it cool. Set aside.

2. In a stockpot, mix all the solid ingredients first, then, make a hole in the center. Pour liquid ingredients into the hole. Use an egg beater to whip all ingredients into a homogenous mixture. Strain. Pour in llanera and cover with aluminum foil. Arrange in a streamer.

3. Steam for 25 minutes over a low fire until the water in the steamer boils. Unload and let cool. Chill

CABALEN TIP: To achieve better leche flan texture, blend all ingredients well. Don’t rush. Whisk the ingredients together until there are no more lumps and you can’t distinguish between the ingredients.

Chicken Adobo

1.5 kg chicken, sliced into serving sizes

6 boiled eggs

2 tbsp minced garlic

1 pc laurel bay leaves

½ tbsp black pepper, ground

¾ cup vinegar

½ cup soy sauce

¼ tbsp salt

Fried garlic

1. Mash chicken with salt. Wash in running water. Drain and set aside.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine garlic, laurel leaves, black pepper, vinegar, soy sauce and salt. Marinate chicken in this mixture overnight in the ref.

3. Boil marinated chicken until meat is tender. Set aside.

4. Saute garlic until golden brown. Add the boiled chicken and cook for one minute. Reduce fire and continue simmering until meat is tender. Add marinade and let it boil for five minutes. Simmer for 10 minutes over a low fire. Add boiled eggs to give it a special twist. Garnish with fried garlic on top.

CABALEN TIP: Longer marination time allows the chicken meat to absorb the flavors better. Slow cooking over low fire helps blend the flavors together. As you simmer, the amount of sauce will be reduced. Flavors will become more concentrated. Do not leave unattended for a long time to prevent the sauce from drying up.

Lechon Babi

Bringing your own baon is simple, fun and will save you enough to buy a new outfit every month. Mangan Restaurant boxes up meals in ways to make your daily fare the talk of the lunchroom.

Deep fry liempo. Drain and serve hot and crispy with atsara or lechon sauce. If you must, eat this fave meal only in moderation (soak meat in paper towels to drain oil and remove the fat).

Pan De Sal Panini with Chicken Longganisa

Bringing your own baon is simple, fun and will save you enough to buy a new outfit every month. Mangan Restaurant boxes up meals in ways to make your daily fare the talk of the lunchroom.

Toast three pan de sals. Spread mayonnaise (mustard is a low-fat alternative). Insert pieces of fried chicken longganisa. Garnish with lettuce and tomatoes. Pack some shoestring potatoes, too for one great merienda. Also try it with tuyo and kesong puti.

Tomato and Sausage Soup

Two promises: This soup is so easy to put together and it will surely be downed in a flash by even the pickiest eaters. Start by melting butter in a saucepan.

Add ½ cup sliced Hungarian sausage and cook until browned. Drain and return to pan. Add 1 cup chicken broth, ¾ cup diced tomatoes, ½ tablespoon dried oregano, ½ tablespoon dried rosemary, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, and ¼ cup uncooked shell pasta. Simmer until pasta is al dente. Remove from heat, then stir in ½ cup roughly chopped spinach leaves. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Makes 2 bowls.

No-Bake Fresh Fruit Tart

SERVES 6

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 tbsp orange rind, grated

2 tbsp orange juice

½ cup sugar, confectioners

1 crust, crumb 8

6 crumb tart shells

2 cup fresh fruit, such as fresh whole berries

Directions

1. Beat cheese, rind, juice, and sugar together until fluffy.

2. Fill pie crust or tart shells with cheese mixture. Chill thoroughly.

3. Top with fruit. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice to peaches or nectarines to prevent discoloration.

4. Sprinkle more sugar generously over fruit.

Fresh Garden Salad

SERVES 4

1 quart fresh garden lettuces (perhaps a combination of radicchio, arugula, bibb, and oakleaf)

2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon (15 ml) hazelnut or olive oil

1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon (15 ml) minced fresh herbs (combination of basil, chives, mint, and thyme)

Directions:

1. Combine the lettuces in a serving bowl.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients. Drizzle over greens and toss to coat evenly right before serving. Makes 4 servings.

Note:

When preparing vegetable dishes, look for characteristic signs of freshness such as bright, lively color and crispness. 

Palam

Ingredients:

1 pc Knorr Fish Cubes

½ kilo galunggong, tilapia, mulmul or samara

2 slices ginger

2 slices yellow ginger

1 pc onion, chopped

Salt

3 gloves garlic, minced

3 pcs tomato, seeded and chopped

1 stalk tanglad (lemon grass) battered and tied

½ tsp ground pepper

1 tsp oil

Procedure:

Mashed all ginger, yellow ginger, ½ onion and a little salt. Rub the ingredients all over the fish inside and outside. Saute garlic, onion & tomato. Then put Knorr Fish Cubes. Put in fish and lemon grass, simmer and let it cook. Drizzle with pepper & salt. Take off the lemon grass before serve.

Crispy Tuyong Pork Adobo

The classic adobo dish – easy to make, flavor packed, tender-meaty and crunchy at the same time.

1 kilo pork adobo cut (preferably with some fat)

1 whole garlic, crushed and chopped

¼ cup vinegar

½ to 1 tablespoon rock salt (preferably) or iodized salt

½ cup water

¼ cup cooking oil

1 teaspoon vetsin (optional)

HOW TO PREPARE:

1. Put first 5 ingredients in a thick iron pan (do not use a non-stick iron pan). Let boil over high heat. Stir, then lower fire and let simmer (about 30 to 45 minutes). Cover until pork becomes tender.

2. Uncover and let sauce dry. Scrape the reddish brown “residue” on your pan (this will turn out to be the yummiest part of all!), then stir the meat.

3. Pour the oil, then brown the meat slightly. Add the vetsin and stir. You can take out the meaty part and let the fat/skin fry until crisp. Serve

Serving hints: Get creative and try to serve with atchara, boiled talong dipped in vinegar with crushed garlic. You can also serve with ensalada (a healthy mix of tomato wedges, chopped onions, and salted egg mixed in vinegar and some water plus a spoonful of sugar). For a quick fix, you can just add tomato wedges mixed in bagoong.

Pizza Dog

A simple baon recipe for lunch or merienda.

Takes 10 minutes

Bakes 10 to 15 minutes

Makes 6 servings

6 hotdog buns

1 can spaghetti or pizza sauce

6 pieces hotdogs, blanched or fried

1 small bottle cheese spread

2 to 3 tablespoons hot water

1. Slice the top of the buns. Hollow out the center to make room for the hotdog.

2. Fill with spaghetti sauce. Top with hotdog.

3. In a small bowl, blend cheese spread with enough water to make a thin spreading consistency. Drizzle over hotdog.

4. Put back the top of the hotdog bun and wrap the sandwich in foil.

5. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

BAON TIP Keep the sandwich wrapped in the foil so it remains hot until break time.