Steak on Skewers

…………..Just introducing one of the favourite dish back home in the Philippines. Inspired by my first proper restaurant work place, I would like to share this plate made of rump steak and alternate seasonal veggies served in a bed of rice pilaf……………..Watch out for more ala carte dishes!!!!

Ingredients and preparation:

alternate dice cuts of rump steak and courgettes and onions grilled your way! seasoned with lea perins and salt and pepper

served in rice pilaf

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Kid’s Party Menu

Kid’s Party………..To all of my fellow bloggers and viewers who followed me for my past post regarding my kid’s party. Here is the complete set of menu. I hope I helped you with an idea of preapring your kids party menu…….

We had:

• Vegetable sticks
• Fried Wontons
• Sushi Platters
• Pizza’s
• Coated Hotdogs on sticks
• Kid’s Cupcakes
• Barbecued Wings
• Spaghetti
• Chips and dips, popcorns, cookies, chocolates, lollies and candies
• Juices and softdrinks
• Ice popsicles

Futuristic Menu

Food in the future……………………My fellow bloggers, I would love to share you what we did in our 2012 Christmas Party in our Church. There is a competition were every group needs to design and create a futuristic dinner booth. And I am very happy to tell you guys that we won the first prize. Yes, the overall champion booth. Who knows this might be the start of a new generation that food in the future might come into a capsule. A flavored capsule which you can choose a wide variety of viand such as roast meats, vegetables, dessert, soups and etc. What you think?………..The lovely tomato flower curving was made by my wife!!!!!

Ingredients and preparation:

Lots of love and team efforts!

Stir-fry Beef and Bok Choy

Exploring stir fry beef Asian style…………Once again I will be featuring “stir-fry beef”. This time, I will cook the beef with bok choy. It is a very Asian inspired dish that once you master the cooking of stir-fry beef, you can explore any vegetables you may want to accompany with this very tender quick-cook beef. Here in my place, almost every week we cook Asian dish such as this one……..Must try!

Ingredients: serves 4-6 persons

• 2 tbs oil
• 1 thumb size ginger sliced thinly
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 500 grams thinly sliced beef (tendered and soak in 1 tsp soda. salt & pepper for 10 minutes)
• 4 bunches of bok choy
• 1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 1.5 cup water
• 1 small can of black beans (use 3 tbsp and mashed it)
• pepper to taste
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion leeks

Procedures:

• Heat oil in pan , add beef and stir fry until brown and season with salt and pepper. Add garlic, ginger and onions and soy sauce. Saute’ for 2 minutes.
• Add black beans. Continue stirring for 2-3 minutes then pour in bok choy.
• Add water with cornstarch and boil for 2 minutes, then add onion leeks and sesame oil then remove from heat.
• Serve hot and enjoy!!!!!

Ampalaya Con Karne( Bittermelon)

Ampalaya…….(Bittermelon). Back home in the Philippines, this is one of our favorite dish to order in a famous hongkong/chinese restaurant near in our place. “Lok Foo” Chinese Restaurant in Commonwealth. (please correct me if I misspelled since its been a while I was not in PHI). Here in NZ, we seldom cook this dish as it is not “in season” and would be very expensive dish atleast around 25 dollar a kilo when it is not in summer time. Ok, back to the dish, it is more of an Asian taste – sweet and salty coming from black beans and a slight bitter coming from the ampalaya…..Must try!

Ingredients: serves 4-6 persons

• 2 tbs oil
• 1 thumb size ginger sliced thinly
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 500 grams thinly sliced beef (tendered and soak in 1 tsp soda. salt & pepper for 10 minutes)
• 500 grams ampalaya slices
• 1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 1.5 cup water
• 1 small can of black beans (use 3 tbsp and mashed it)
• pepper to taste
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion leeks

Procedures:

• Heat oil in pan , add beef and stir fry until brown and season with salt and pepper. Add garlic, ginger and onions and soy sauce. Saute’ for 2 minutes.
• Add black beans. Continue stirring for 2-3 minutes then pour in ampalaya.
• Add water with cornstarch and boil for 2 minutes, then add onion leeks and sesame oil then remove from heat.
• Serve hot and enjoy!!!!!

Stir fry Beef and Snow Peas

Stir fry Beef……………..Almost any vegetables can go with this stir fry beef. My post today is a simple stir fry beef and snow peas. A classic Asian dish – tendered beef with oyster sauce. Once you tried mastering the stir fry beef, you can play with all the vegetables you may like to come with this tendered stir fry beef… Try it, youll definitely gonna love it.

Ingredients: good for 3-4 persons

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 medium white onions sliced
• 300 grams snow peas
• 300 grams thinly sliced beef (soaked in 1 tbsp chinese wine and 1 tbsp baking soda for 10 minutes)
• 1 tbsp corn flour dissolve in 1 cup water
• 50 grams cashew nuts
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:

• in a non-stick pan or wok, heat oil and saute garlic and onions, add in beef and let it brown for 2-3 minutes then add in snow peas and seasoned with oyster sauce, salt and pepper and cashew nuts. let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. adjust taste by adding fish sauce.
• dissolve corn flour and water and add soy sauce. mix well and pour over and let it boil for a minute until sauce is thickened
• Serve hot!

Grilled Burger with Gravy

burger………………A simple burger recipe I used as our dinner which I love to served with gravy, (burger steak with mushroom sauce)or burger patties that I cook as my wife and daughter’s (double cheeseburger)lunch box for the following day. The good thing about this is, I can freeze them for weeks and cook them whenever you want or crave for it. Homemade burgers are 100 percent better than those in food chains. Do you agree?……………………………….Did you know that beef mince are loaded with protein, zinc, phosphorus and iron. And this nutrients are very essential to our body. such as Protein—Helps build a strong and muscular body. Zinc—Helps create a healthy immune system & heal wounds. Phosphorus—Necessary for strong teeth and bones. Iron— Helps carry oxygen in the blood to all cells and muscles to prevent fatigue…………………

Ingredients: makes 20-25 patties depending your desired size

• 1 kilogram minced beef
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 large minced onions
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 2 pcs egss
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 2 tbsp seasoning soy sauce
• salt & pepper to taste

Procedures:

• In a bowl, mix all ingredints together and form a patties at approx 80-100 gms each
• Then place in a container and freeze. last up to 3-4 weeks.
• Method of cooking – pan-fried or grill

Gravy:

• 1/2 cup drippings
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 cups water
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 50 gms butter

Procedures:

• brown flour in a sauce pan using a low heat then add butter to make a rue…add in drippings and 1 cup water.let it boil.
•  combine flour and the remaining water. seasoned with salt & pepper..and soy sauce for a little coloring effect. adjust texture or thickness by adding little by little water, continue string until cooked
• Enjoy!!!

Beef Mechado (beef casserole)

To complete the line up of Philippines “tomato casserole”, I’ll bring you Beef Mechado………This dish is the relative of Beef kaldereta(his brother), Pork Menudo (cousins), Chicken Afritada (might be nephews) and fish bacalao…I use the word “relatives” because it’s almost have the same ingredients and just have differences on the meat we’ve used. A popular dish in northern provinces especially in “fiesta” or feast of baranggays (small towns)…………………Did you know that in order to make this great recipe, you need to have lots of fresh tomatoes. Tomatoes are excellent source of lycopene. and lycopene may help prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis. Lycopene has even been found to have an inhibitory effect on cataract development and some rare cancer cells. Lycopene benefits are wide and varied and although some claim anti-ageing effects, many claims are unproven. It is wise though to include this your balanced diet…………

Ingredients: serves 4-6 persons

• 1.5 kl of Beef meat and bones
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 2 pcs potatoes (big diced)
• 1 pc carrots (big diced)
• 1 pc capsicum (big diced)
• 4 pcs tomato quartered
• 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 1 med onions (sliced)
• 2 cups water
• 3 pcs bay leaf
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• salt & pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp fish sauce(patis)
• chillies optional

Procedures:

• in a large sauce pan, place all ingredients except carrots & potatoes. bring to a boil using low heat for 45 minutes. (stirring every 5 minutes)
• when beef is half tender, pour in potatoes & carrots, chillies.
• Enjoy!!!

Braised Beef and Kidney Beans

Again, This dish is one of my collection recipe from banquet and catering menus. It is a braised beef with kidney beans slowly cooked with tomato sauce. For your reference I already posted the pork and beans. This is quite different from the pork version because I add lots of health vegetables such as celery and carrots to enhance the beef flavor. and in banquet, it will also serve as a good extender. …………………..Did you know that this recipe is mainly compose of kidney beans, and people who consume kidney beans on daily basis are availing of the richness of the antioxidants contained therein helping them trim down chances of cancer and diabetes. It helps to remember that instances of diabetes and cancer are correlated. Cellular oxidation of food is enhanced in case of diabetics along with inflammation. These twin activities have substantial impact on some people predisposed to cancer to come up with the situation……

Ingredients: serves 6-8 persons

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic crushed
• 1 large onions chopped
• 1.5 kilo of beef meaty bones
• 1 cup red kidney beans (soak in 2 cups water for 24 hours)
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup minced carrots
• 1 stalk minced celery
• 1 tsp sage
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• salt & pepper
• Parsley leaves for garnishing

Procedures:

• In a sauce pan, boil red beans for about 30 minutes or until beans are soft. set aside
• In another large saucepan, heat oil and saute garlic, onion, celery and carrots then add in beef and seasoned with salt & pepper. saute for about 5 minutes and add in water and cook for 30 minutes or until beef is tender.
• add in beans, add in tomato sauce, sage and thyme. adjust your taste by adding fish sauce.
• you can add water for your desired thickness.
• Enjoy!!!

Papaitan (Bitter Beef Stew)

Papaitan………..It is an exotic recipe for most foreigners but not for filipinos. Exotic because it is composed of beef internal organs such as tripe, kidney, hearts, lungs and intestines. Dare to try it? This is very common dish in our country. Papaitan is originated in the Ilocandia. This Ilocano recipe’s name is derived from the word “pait” which means “bitter” in English. Pinapaitan can be translated as “Beef Innards Stew” or “Bitter Beef Soup”. This dish is mostly served as an appetizer especially for “lasinggero” (Alcoholic drinkers) as it is sometimes served as very hot and spicy.  Once you got drunk, a zip of the soup will make you feel up and drinking again. So it will be a “never-ending drinking”. (LOL)………………Did you know that beef internal organs such as tripe is a very good source of calcium and selenium. Calcium helps in the growth of our muscles and teeth. While selenium is one of several antioxidants the body uses to neutralize the toxins that fail to flush from the body through the normal cleansing channels. These toxins, also called free radicals, alter the chemical structure of healthy cells that results in premature aging, inflammation and disease formation.

Ingredients: serves 6-8 persons

• 1 kg of beef tripe, heart, liver, intestine and others cut into small pieces (boiled in 1 liter water)
• 250 gram beef sirloin cut in small pieces
• Bile liquid (papait) or extract from the animal’s stomach (strained)
• 2 tbsp Cooking oil
• 1 thumb size ginger strips
• 5 cloves minced garlic
• 1 large chopped onions
• 6-8 pcs Long green chili pepper (siling pangsigang)
• 1 pouch tamarind extract or powder
• 1 tbsp Salt to taste
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1.5 litre of water

Procedures:

• In a large sauce pan, boil “tripe, intestines, hearts, kidneys in 1 liter water for 5 minutes. drain and cut into small pieces. set aside
• In a large sauce pan, heat oil and saute garlic, onion and ginger then add beef and internal recipes and brown for 10 minutes. Then seasoned with salt and pepper.
• Add in 1.5 liter of water and boil for 30 minutes or until meat are tender.
• add in the rest of the ingredients.
• Serve hot.

Chamberlain (beef casserole)

Chamberlain…………The name was invented by my father-in-law. meaning in tagalog is “chamba chamba” or in english – lucky dish”. It is very similar to kalderetang baka as they have both almost the same ingredients with the absence of some major ingredients such as chicken liver or spread, sky flakes and more. That’s why I really love the culinary world. You can modify every kind of cuisine depending on your taste as long as you make your dish with love and loyalty. Do you agree?……………………Did you know that the main ingredients of my recipe for today is tomatoes? and tomatoes number one source of lycopene which act as a powerful antioxidant that fight cancer cells. And in addition, according to the some studies, daily consumption of tomatoes decreases the oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes. Also tomato helps in reducing the risk of developing hypertension………….

Ingredients: serves 4-6 persons

• 1 kl Beef brisket with bones (cut in serving size size)
• 3 pcs potatoes (big diced)
• 2 pc carrots (big diced)
• 3 pcs tomatoes chopped
• 1 large capsicum
• 4 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 1 large onions (sliced)
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup grated cheese
• 2 tbsp fish sauce(patis)
• chillies optional

Procedures:

• in a large sauce pan, place all ingredients except carrots & potatoes. bring to a boil using low heat for 45 minutes. (stiring every 5 minutes)
• when beef is half tender, pour in potatoes & carrots, chillies
• check if beef is ready, seasoned with salt & pepper then add cheese before serving
• Enjoy!!!!!

Bistek Tagalog (beef with onions and soy sauce)

Bistek Tagalog………..If the Americans love their fillet mignon with gravy, tenderloin steak with mushroom sauce, We filipinos have love our own steak.  Yes, Bistek is a steak – the Philippines way. It’s a tasty and simple recipe to cook your beef. It is a dish made with common ingredients such as soy sauce, calamansi and onions which is always present inside our cup board. As I always mention to my blog – good food doesn’t have to be complicated. For your reference, I already posted the pork version of this recipe – Pork Steak Tagalag…………..Did you know that onions is the richest dietary source of quercitin, a potent antioxidant which is specifically linked to inhibiting human stomach cancer. Onions also have historically been used to treat asthma, too. Its action in asthma is due to its ability to inhibit the production of compounds that cause the bronchial muscle to spasm and to relax bronchial muscle.

Ingredients: serves 3-4 persons

• 500 gms beef sirloin- blade cut / thinly sliced
• 1 large white onions cut in rings
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp baking soda (to keep the steak more tender)
• 5 cloves minced garlic
• 5 pcs calamansi or 1 whole lemon juice
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tbsp oil

Procedures:

• In a container with cover, combine all ingredients together except onions and oil. marinade for a minimum of 2 hours
• In a wide teflon pan, heat oil and caramelize onion for 5 minutes. remove and drain onions. set aside.
• On the same pan with the same oil, seared steak on both side.  Seared on your desired doneness. Do not over cook.
• The pour over remaining marinade mix. cook for about 2 minutes then topped with caramelized onions
• Transfer in a serving plate. Serve hot with rice.

Beef Bulgogi

beef bulgogi……….I asked this recipe from my korean boss because I am craving for an authentic korean dish. Bulgogi for some who doesn’t know yet literally means “fire meat” in Korean, which refers to the cooking technique—over an open flame—rather than the dish’s spiciness. I am a fun of korean food, this is best accompanied by a Japchae korean stir-fry noodles or just a simple steamed rice. Best eaten in front of your dining table if you have a portable barbecue while having a chat with your families and friends…………………….Did you know that sesame seeds has a magic in terms of stress prevention. Some studies indicate that stress contributes to range of diseases. Because of sesame seed’s chemical structure, it has a unique ability to reduce tension and stress when used regularly. It also helps nourish the nervous system, and relieves fatigue and insomnia. Overall, it helps provide optimum vitality and strength.

Ingredients: serves 4-6 persons

• 1 kilogram of beef sirloin thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup kikoman soy sauce
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• toast sesame seeds and sliced onion leeks for garnishing

Procedures:

• In a large container with cover, Mix all ingredients together and rub beef evenly. Marinate for a minimum of 2 hours
• If you have a portable barbecue which you can place in your dining table, grilled bulgogi on your desired doneness. Best eaten when really hot. you can feel the extra tenderness.
• Serve with steamed rice.
• Enjoy!!!

Kamto Soup (beef brisket soup)

Kamto….If you havent heard about this recipe, it’s a common dish in pares mami house. It is very similar to nilagang baka (beef soup) with the absence of some ingredients. The soup is made with boiled beef brisket, onions, ginger and star anise. you can add your favourite green leafy vegetables if you want. This is the soup base for almost all mami they serve. Like for instance, You can create a beef brisktet with egg noodle soup in an instant by adding this soup stock……………..Did you know that beef is the best source of zinc, which is helpful for preventing the damage to blood vessel walls, which can contribute to atherosclerosis and is also needed for the proper functioning of immune system. Beef is also rich in phosphorous and iron. Phosphorous is necessary for strong teeth and bones and Iron helps carry oxygen in the blood, to all cells and muscles and prevents fatigue.

Ingredients: serves 3-4 persons

• 1.5 liter water
• 1 kilo beef brisket
• 3 pcs star anise
• 1 thumb size crushed ginger
• 1 tsp peppercorns
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 stalk of celery (do not cut)
• 2 pcs potato quartered
• 1 bunch bok choy or petsay

Procedures:

• In a large sauce pan, pour in water and boil beef and seasoned with peppercorns, star anise, ginger and salt. Bring to boil and cook for 45 minutes or until beef is tender.
• Place potato and cook for 10 minutes. then before serving, add in petsay or bokchoy and adjust taste by adding fish sauce. remove celery before serving
• Serve hot!!

Steak Ala Pobre

Steak ala pobre…….One of the most popular entree back in my previous work place. It is under the Menu which have a caption of “CHEF’s RECOMMENDATION”…. It is a huge piece of steak serve with lots of garlic cooked your way. I remember this meal is accompanied by the usual side dish of coleslaw and buttered veggies and your choice of rice or mashed potato. Gosh, After almost 15 years ago, I still can remember every single word we used to create that menu. ……………..Did you know that garlic can improve a person’s immune system. It has anti-cancer components that can prevent colon cancer and stomach cancer. People with more garlic in their food intake or diet have less risk of colorectal cancer or pancreatic cancer. Garlic supplementation can also reduce the development of cancer cells among people with family history of breast, prostate and throat cancers. Also, it is found that aged garlic lowers heart and intestinal damage common to chemotherapy patients……….

Ingredients: Serves 2 persons

• 400 grams tenderloin steak (200 gms per serving)
• 6 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tbsp seasoning soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• toasted garlic for garnishing on top

Procedures:

• In a mixing bowl, mix all ingredients and rub steak evenly.
• In a charcoal grill – grill steak according to your desired doneness.
• Serve with coleslaw salad and your choice of rice or mashed potato
• Enjoy with a glass of wine.