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Monday, March 25, 2013

Sautéed Tokwa't Baboy with Tausi ala Abia


"Sir Ron" <<< hubby :D, requested this for dinner....instead of plain old tokwa't baboy, I made a few small changes to make it suitable for a main course. I decided to add some black beans (Tausi) and Kinchay for a robust flavor.


Kinchay

 
BTW: Kinchay is Chinese celery. It is commonly used in Chinese cooking. It has green stems and lobed leaves with a citrusy in aroma with unmistakably oriental taste.




Ingredients:

  • 2 pieces Pork’s ears
  • 2 packs Tofu
  • 1 small pack Tausi or Black beans
  • 1 tablespoon Kinchay, chopped
  • 1 small Onion, diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoon Vinegar
  • 1/2 cup pork broth
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Cooking Oil
Tofu & Pork with Black Beans
Procedure:
  1. In a large pot, pour in water (5-6 cups) and bring to boil.
  2. Add salt, whole pepper corn and pork's ear. Let it simmer until tender. Set aside.
  3. In a frying pan, pour cooking oil and allow to heat.
  4. When the oil is hot enough, deep-fry the tofu until color turns golden brown. Set aside.
  5. On a separate pan, saute' garlic and onion.
  6. Place tausi and half of the Kinchay, mix thoroughly.
  7. Add in cooked pork and tofu cubes then pour in the broth.
  8. Seasoned with sugar, salt and pepper and vinegar.
  9. Allow to simmer for five minutes and remove from heat.
  10. Garnish the dish with the remaining Kinchay and serve.

Share and Enjoy!

Sinigang sa Dugo ala Abia

My family loves to eat Sinigang , which is one of the most popular Filipino dishes aside from Adobo. When I posted this photo on my Facebook account, I received lots of messages asking for this particular dish.

This is because, I have this not so ordinary Sinigang recipe which comes from my grandmother, we call it "Sinigang sa Dugo" (Sinigang with pig's blood). It's like cooking the traditional Sinigang but the only difference is that we cook our Sinigang with pig's blood. (Yes, you heard it right!) ;)

Cooking with blood is nothing new and not even unique to the native folks of Taytay. Some says, it's exotic and kinda weird. But believe me, it has more robust flavor than ordinary Sinigang.


Now, I will share to you guys what we Rizaleño enjoyed most. I hope you'll like it! 


Ingredients:
  • 1 kilo Pork Ribs (buto-buto)
  • 1 medium Onion, quartered
  • 2 pieces medium Tomatoes, quartered
  • 4 pieces Taro (gabi), peeled and halved
  • 4 to 6 pieces Lady Fingers (okra)
  • 1 cup String beans (sitaw), cut it bite size
  • 1 bunch Water Spinach (Kangkong), leaves separated and stems chopped
  • 2 pieces Long Green Chili (siling pang-sigang)
  • 1 large pack tamarind base sinigang mix (good for 2 liters)
  • 2 cups pig's blood
  • 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 5 cups water

Procedure:

  1. In a large pot, boil the pork ribs together with the tomatoes, gabi and salt.
  2. When pork is tender, add the lady fingers, string beans and Chili. Then add the sinigang Mix.
  3. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes and season it with fish sauce.
  4. Add the Water Spinach and slowy pour in the pigs blood. Continue stirring and don't stop until the blood boils and thickens.
  5. Finally, turn off the heat and serve hot.

Share and enjoy! :)

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Tofu and Mushroom ala Abia


Since I'm running out of time before hubby came, I ransack my refrigerator and the result...fast, healthy and most of all, very affordable meal. 

I know you guys are thinking, "Why do I have an extra tofu?"
Honestly, we do always have Tofu.  My hubby happen to love Tofu.

Okay, so here it is...my own version of stir-fry tofu.


Let's go Veggie! 

*Estimated time of cooking: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:


  • 2 blocks of Tofu, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup button Mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced diagonally
  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced diagonally
  • 1 small green/red Bell Pepper, sliced diagonally
  • 1 stalk/piece Onion Leeks, thinly sliced diagonally
  • 1 small Carrot, thinly sliced diagonally
  • 1/4 cup oyster sauce
  • 6 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup Bean Sprouts (togue)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:

  1. In a frying pan, heat oil and deep fry tofu until golden brown. Drain and let cool.
  2. In a wok, saute garlic, onions, mushrooms, carrots, bell pepper. 
  3. Cook until veggies are half-cooked.
  4. Add oyster sauce and water. 
  5. Add fried tofu and bean sprouts. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. Then add the onion leeks. 
  7. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  8. Transfer to serving plate. Serve it hot!


Share and enjoy!

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Sinigang na Baka sa Bayabas ala Abia


My Dad is a native of Taytay, Rizal (Food Critic of the family). And one of his favorite dish is  "Sinigang na Baka sa Bayabas" (Beef in Guava Soup). 

First, I did not know that guava can be used in cooking. Credits goes to my "Nanay" (my grandmother), who taught me how to cook this dish. Since then, it became one of our daily menu every weekend.

For this recipe,  I also added some tamarind hint to it so it will still have that tangy flavor. Best serve with a side dipping sauce of bagoong (Shrimp paste) or fish sauce with Calamansi with "siling labuyo" (chilli pepper).



Sinigang na Baka sa Bayabas :)
Did you know that there are lots of nutrients in guava? Such as Vitamin-C, Carotenoids and Potassium. It strengthens and tones up the digestive system and disinfect it. It also serves as a treatment for diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, cough, cold, skin care, high blood pressure, weight loss and more. (Galing nho? Thank you WIKI!)


Ingredients:


  • 1 kilo Beef brisket with bones and meat, cut in serving size
  • 1 medium size Onions, quartered
  • 2 medium size Tomatoes, quartered
  • 6 pieces fresh ripe Guavas, peeled and cut in half (remove the seeds)
  • 1 small sachet tamarind base soup (I use Maggi Sinigang Mix)
  • 1 cup of Sitaw (String Beans), cut in 2" long
  • 3 pieces medium size Gabi (Taro), pealed cut in half
  • 1 bunch Kangkong (Water Spinach), get only the leaves 
  • 6 pieces Okra (Lady Finger)
  • 2 pieces Siling haba (Green Finger Pepper)
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp rock salt
  • 1.5 liter of water

Procedures:


  • In a large pot, boil water under high heat and add the beef chunks. 
  • Remove the scum that arises on top. Add the salt and stir. Continue to boil and remove the scum as it develops.
  • When there are no more scum left, add the guavas and lower the heat to medium. Cook until the beef is tender.
  • Afterwards, add the tomato, onions and taro; season with fish sauce then simmer for a few more minutes.
  • Then add the string beans, lady fingers, green finger pepper, let it boil for 2 to 3 minutes. 
  • Before turning off the heat, add the water spinach and boil for another  minute; otherwise the leaves will be very soggy.
  • Turn off the heat and transfer to a big serving bowl.

Serve hot and Enjoy! 

Garlic & Baby Potatoes with Cheese ala Abia


A lovely potato dish for your whole family!

I cooked this recipe for tonight's dinner and also a good "baon" for hubby (he's on "no-rice diet"). Served it with your choice of main course. Us, we team up the potatoes with grilled pork chop. 

Easy ingredients. Quick dish. Taste good and a really must try recipe!



Straight from the pan
Ingredients:


  • 500 grams Baby Potatoes
  • 250 grams Bacon, finely chopped
  • 2 cups Cheese Whiz
  • 1 cup Grated Quick Melt Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Butter
  • 2 gloves Garlic, finely chopped
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Procedure:

  1. Put the potatoes in a pot and add 3-4 cups of water, 1 tsp. salt, then bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until potatoes are tender. 
  2. Let it drain and set aside.
  3. In a pan, melt the butter and cook bacon until crisp; drain on kitchen paper. 
  4. Saute the garlic, add the potatoes, stir in half of the bacon and Cheese Whiz. Mix and make sure that you coat all the potatoes.
  5. Season with salt and pepper. 
  6. Sprinkle with quick melt cheese and drizzle with the remaining bacon.

Share and Enjoy! :)


Monday, March 11, 2013

Chopsuey ala Abia


Here is my own version of Chopsuey...Just to preserve the color and texture, I first blanched the veggies :)

To blanch:

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil.
  • Add enough salt and 2 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
  • Prepare a large bowl of ice water.
  • Then rinse and chop the vegetables and set aside.
  • Put the veggies in the boiling water for a minute or two. (Blanch each one separately and blanch lighter colored ones first.)
  • Always test for doneness. 
  • When the vegetables are done, remove them quickly from the boiling water and transfer them to the ice water.
  • Let it cool and drain the water out of them.



Ingredients:

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 200 grams Pork kasim, cubed
  • 200 grams chicken liver, cubed (optional)
  • 1 dozen Quail eggs, boiled and shelled
  • 2 cups of water
  • 1 medium Carrot, sliced diagonally
  • 1 medium Chayote, sliced diagonally
  • 12 pieces Young corn, sliced diagonally
  • 1 Cauliflower, cut the florets only
  • 1 Brocolli, cut the florets only
  • 1 medium Pechay Baguio, sliced
  • 2 stalks of Celery, sliced diagonally
  • 100 grams Snow peas
  • 100 grams Green or Red Bell pepper, cubed

Sauce:

  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved on 2 tablespoons water
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Procedure:

  1. Saute the garlic and onion.
  2. Add the pork and saute for 1 minute or until the redness of pork is gone.
  3. Add the chicken liver and quail eggs. Let it cook for a minute or two.
  4. Pour in the water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 2 minutes.
  5. Add the oyster and soy sauce, then simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. To thicken the sauce, pour the cornstarch mixture in the wok. Add the salt and pepper then mix well.
  7. Put-in all the veggies then remove from heat.
  8. You can now add the sesame oil and serve immediately.

Share and Enjoy!

My Lovable KIDS :)


Here is a short intro of my beloved kids...Yes, I am a mom of three felines (as of today). And yes, we don't consider them as pets. They are our babies and we do spoil them a lot (Super Spoiled!).

It all started way back 2009, someone gave us a cute 3 months old female Siamese and named her Kitty. Sad to say, she died last March 4, 2013.


Up close with Kitty

Then came Schnooky, a beautiful bi-color female Ragdoll. The first time I saw her, I definitely fell in love with her. 

Early morning with Schnooky
Schnooky gave birth to 3 cute kittens. Pina-adopt ko ung dalawa and nag iwan lang ako ng isang male. We named him Kimpoy. I hope he's okay, kase may nag catnap sa kanya. =(


Kimpoy d' Model

We then welcome Mr. Grumpy, boyfriend ni Schnooky. Apparently, he also died due to Kidney failure. :((


Serious Mr. Grummpy

Lucky we are, pag may nawala may papalit. Mr. Grumpy continued his bloodline and Schnooky gave birth to six healthy kittens. We named them Slurpee, Chi-Chi, Tisoy, Hummpy, P-Pie and Orange. :D


Schnooky with her cute little babies

We decided to keep only 2 of them. Mahirap mag decide which one to choose. It's like giving away your own child. We know we are not financially capable to keep them all. Pina-adopt ko ung 4 and kept Hummpy and P-pie.


Hummpy on the left and P-Pie on the other side

I hope you'll enjoy the first glimpse of my babies. I'll try to post a blog, to know more about each one no them.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

ABOUT...


>>>TAYANTANGAN

Ta-yan-ta-ngan is an old tagalog word for "a place to hang out" o tambayan sa bagong henerasyon.

On this blog you can find all things I love to do. From recipes, food trip, lakwatsa and even nail art :) or anything under the sun.


>>>ME, MYSELF and I

AJ...sa aking mga kaibigan/ka-opisina

Abby...sa aking mga kapamilya

"KAMAHALAN" sa aking kabiyak ;)

at ABIA naman ay hango sa pangalan ng Lolo ko na ang alias ay "KA ABIA" (we do look alike)


I am not a professional chef nor photographer (walang pang enrol sa culinary/photography school).

I am just a full pledged home cook who loves to cook for my family's avid love of food (matakaw lang ang pamilya ko, kasama ako).

Aside for my deep passion in cooking, I am also a certified CAT LOVER, Nail Art addict and a Travel Junkie! 


Umpisa pa lang to'...ENJOY!