TIPS IN COOKING VEGETABLES

• Choose the best vegetables. Cheap ones are not always the best buy.
• Wash the vegetables thogroughly before paring or cutting.
• Don`t soak potatoes, kamote and other vegetables in water and then throw the water away
• Cook vegetables until tender; don`t undercook or overcook.
• Use just the right amount of water; too much of it is a waste.
• In cooking vegetables, be sure the water is boiling before dropping the vegetables in.
• Cover most of the vegetables while cooking; exceptions are the strong flavored ones such as cabbage, onions, raddish, etc.
• Acids such as kalamansi and kamias should be added when vegetables are almost done; if added too early, vegetables will not become tender and the green color will brownish green.
• Should vegetables be pared, be sure to remove the skin as thin as possible.
• Serve vegetables as soon as they are cooked. Don`t cook vegetables long before serving time.

GUIDEPOSTS IN COOKING

"The one who understands the art of properly preparing food, and who uses this knowledge, is worthy of higher commendation than those engaged in any line of work."

guideposts in cooking....

• Don`t use too much oil in sauteing. Oil is better than solid fat. Among the vegetable oils, corn oil is the best.
• Don`t overheat oil when sauteing or frying. Fire should be moderately regulated. When oil smokes a certain substance is produced that cause irritation  to the mucus membrane of the gastro-intestinal tract. Avoid too much frying as much as possible.
• In cooking dried beans or legumes: Wash beans very well then add enough water, bring to boil, remove from fire and let stand overnight for  3 to 4 hours. Continue boiling until beans are done( This method lessens the length of ooking time.) Beans cook faster also in soft or rain water.
• condiments and spices should be used very sparingly.

SANDWICHES

BROILED BEAN SANDWICH

ingredients :

2 cups baked beans

2 tbsp. tomato sauce

6 slices bread

Mayonnaise


Procedure :

• Combine beans and tomato sauce. Toast the bread on one side, spread untoasted side with mayonnaise or margarine
• Top with the bean mixture
• Spread beans close to the crust to completely cover the slices
• Place the open-face sandwiches on the broiler about three inches from the burner
• Broil for 3 to 4 minutes or until piping hot.

CHEESE AND ONION SANDWICHES

ingredients :

3/4 cup cream cheese

1 medium sized onion, chopped fine

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tbsp. pimiento, diced fine

lettuce leaves

Procedure :

• Mix the cheese with the onion and pimiento
• Use mayonnaise and a crisp lettuce leaves between slices of buttered bread
• yields 8 to 10 portions

RECIPIES FROM CHICKEN

TINOLANG MANOK ( CHICKEN GINGER STEW )

Ingredients :

1 kg. chicken cut into desired pieces ( can be thighs, breast or wings)

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 piece onion, chopped

ginger, minced

green papaya or 2 pieces sayote sliced into small pieces

1 tbsp.oil

water

2 tsp. salt or 3tbsp. patis ( fish sauce )

chili leaves

seasoning

VEGETARIAN PIZZA

Ingredients :

Pizza Crust:

2 1/2 tbsp. yeast

1 cup lukewarm water

3-3 1/2 Gold Medal all purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cup olive oil

Pizza Sauce and Toppings:

3 tbsp. olive oil

3 tbsp. crushed garlic

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 cup mashed canned plum tomatoes

1 kg. fresh tomatoes, seeded, skinned and cubed

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. dried thyme salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

 1 3/4 grated mozzarella cheese

Procedure :

In a large bowl, add yeast to water and stir to dissolve. Combine next four ingredients and add to yeast mixture. Knead dough until smooth and satiny. Let rise for an hour our until double in bulk. Punch down and divide into two balls. Roll out each piece then place on oiled baking sheets. Pre-bake in a moderately preheated oven at 400 °F for about 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.

Prepare the sauce and toppings.

Saute in oil the garlic, onions and basil, Saute canned and fresh tomatoes. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Add the oregano and thyme. Season to taste Cool. Spread enough sauce on top of each pizza crust. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 °F until cheese melts.

DESSERTS

LECHE FLAN

ingredients :

1 tray ( 30 pcs.) large size eggs

5 cans (470 ml) evaporated milk

4 cans (470 ml) condensed milk

sugar

lime rind or vanilla for good smell