Bell Pepper

Derived from its 'bell' shape, "sili" is a type of large mild chili pepper that is considered by many to be without heat. It is mostly considered a vegetable rather than a spice because of its mild chili taste, though some people also find it slightly hot. Bell peppers are green while developing and then ripen to a variety of colours, of which red and yellow are the most common but purple and orange are also found.

Placing bell peppers in a preheated broiler or griller can add a distinctive smokey flavor. Bell peppers are commonly added to pizza, stir-fry, and sweet and sour. They can also be opened at the top and deseeded, then stuffed and baked. To prepare bell peppers, slice it horizontally in half, deseed it and slice it to preferred size.

Egg Misua Soup

Soup is somewhat an important part of the Filipinos' meal, admit it or not. This is my version of the chinese Kim Lo soup. So easy to follow recipe, with only a few ingredients.

INGREDIENTS:
3 pcs. medium egg
100 gm. misua noodles
1 small carrot, cut into strips
2 pcs. cabbage or pechay leaves, cut into strips
1 medium tomato, sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
3-4 cups water
salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat oil in a deep pan and sautee garlic, onion and tomato until soft, then follow the carrots.
2. Add water and let it boil for 3 minutes. Add salt and pepper according to taste.
3. Slowly crack each egg on boiling soup, then add cabbage/pechay leaves. Let it simmer for another 2 minutes.
4. Prepare soup in a bowl and serve while hot.

Bread - anyone?

I have always been a big fan of breads. Name it - white, wheat, whole grain, stuffed, sweet, savory, plain, etc... That I can live a whole week eating with just bread. Weird, huh? Find it interesting also, so I manage to search on the net on the healthy benefits of breads. Read on...

" For centuries, bread has been regarded and respected as the staff of life and a vital part of healthy nutrition. But new research demonstrates that many consumers may be making nutritional decisions related to bread without understanding its proven health benefits as part of a long-term, balanced diet, including the role that whole grains serve in reducing cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.

The research, conducted by Schapiro Research Group of Atlanta, reveals the dietary attitudes, preferences and knowledge surrounding bread and reduced carbohydrate diets of 1,000 adults aged 18 and over. The research also indicates that a significant number of those who do reduce bread consumption may be making dietary decisions without understanding the proven health benefits of bread. While breads, particularly whole grain options, are among the healthiest carbs to choose, few consumers are aware of how its benefits stack up against other popular carbohydrates. In fact, when evaluating the perceived health benefits of carbohydrates in their diets, bread is not top of mind with consumers. The misperception of bread as less healthy by many consumers is of particular concern to health professionals.

Only 17 percent of consumers correctly identified that breads and other grains are the base of the Food Guide Pyramid, meaning more servings should be eaten each day as part of a healthy diet than any other food group."

With the benefits mentioned above, no matter what kind of bread there is, I love it more! :-)

Saturday Night Dinner

This is somewhat part 2 of my Petra & Pilar post, not having a lot of luck on a Saturday night. Why you ask? After spending the whole day malling, we decided to finally visit Petra & Pilar for dinner. Off we go, quite sure where it is now, but found the facade poorly lit with 2 guards chatting outside and dining chairs all upside down. Oh well... Sad to say, the resto-carinderia is closed on Saturdays. Hmmm... wonder why. Better luck next time.

Then we decided for an alternative, Racks. That puts a smile on my face. :-)

We ordered the house specialties - a full slab of the Baby Back Ribs and a half rack of beef ribs.

We had baked beans, baked potatoes and mac & cheese for side dish. Even ordered an extra mac & cheese for my daughter, who just loves it! The barbecue sauce botlle was full when we got to our table on the 2nd floor, and just laughed it out when we left it half empty on our way out. The best barbecue sauce there is. I'm not just so sure if they still sell it, like before. But getting it for like P250 is all worth it, I tell you. That made my hubby ask for an extra rice... :-)

Another happy dinner...

Racks

South Park Plaza

Paseo de Magallanes Commercial Center

(632) 854-6622

Binagoongan (Pork w/ Fermented Shrimp Paste)

I was already in the kitchen but just can't figure out what to do with the liempo cuts (pork belly) I thawed. We just had grilled pork chops the other day, so grilling is not a perfect idea for lunch today. I looked inside the ref and found a sealed pack of bagoong alamang.

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 kilo pork belly, cubed
3/4 cup bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp paste)
5-6 cloves garlic, sliced
2-3 medium tomatoes, sliced
2 medium onions, sliced
1-2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 tbsp. vinegar

1. In a preheated pan, add oil and sautee garlic, onion and tomatoes until soft.
2. Add in pork and let it boil for 8-10 minutes. Make sure there is enough liquid to cook meat. Can add a minimal amount of water if it dries up.
3. Add bagoong then follow brown sugar and vinegar, and simmer for another 2 minutes.
4. Serve meat in a plate and pour over bagoong sauce.