Ube Biko

Description:
We brought home some ube or purple yam from our recent trip to Tagaytay, and after an afternoon of ginataan, I wanted to make an ube-based kakanin. This recipe is from pinoyrecipe.net. I found the ube biko to be sweet enough on its own so we didn't put any toppings, but I think macapuno would be great with this.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups ube, boiled and mashed (I used the water from boiling the ube in cooking the malagkit rice.)
3/4 cup condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh milk
1/4 kilo malagkit rice, cooked
Crushed panutsa and grated cheese for topping

(You may opt to put a teaspoon of ube flavoring to make the ube flavor more pronounced.)



Directions:
Combine ube, condensed milk, and fresh milk in a thick saucepan.
Cook, stirring constantly until slightly thick.
Add in malagkit and cook until thick.
Spread onto a banana leaf-lined bilao or tray.
Cut into squares when cool.

Kiddie Cakes

October is the busiest month of the year for me, having to prepare for my kids' birthdays (and others too!). I can't wait for next year hahaha!

Steamed Stuffed Tofu

Description:
Brandon makes it a habit to buy tofu whenever he goes to Banawe, and I'm happy that he does. This dish is easy to make and it is so comforting, especially now that we're having cooler nights. I have to acknowledge Trixie who did all the mixing and shaping of the balls for the stuffing. She is such a darling in the kitchen.

Ingredients:
4-6 large cubes of firm tofu (not tokwa), cut into smaller cubes
Light soy sauce

For the filling:
150 grams ground lean pork
1 small carrot, minced
1 Tbsp. hibe, rinsed, soaked and finely minced (Fresh minced shrimps can replace hibe too, for a more flavorful stuffing.)
1 dried shiitake mushroom, rinsed, soaked and finely minced
1 Tbsp. oyster sauce
2-3 Tbsp, camote starch



Directions:
Place cubed tofu in a heat-proof dish. Using a teaspoon, scoop out the top portion of the tofu to make an indention or a small hole. Be careful not to break the tofu apart. Set aside.

Combine all the ingredients for the filling, adding more camote starch if the mixture seems a little wet. Take note that the filling will be a little salty because of the hibe and oyster sauce, which is really my intention, to compliment the bland taste of the tofu. Make the filling mixture into small balls, then place on top of the tofu squares.

Pour about 2 teaspoons of light soy sauce at the base of the dish, to add more flavor to the tofu.

Steam for about 20-30 minutes, or until the filling is cooked.

Pan-grilled Herbed Pork Chops

Description:
This is now my favorite pork chops recipe- it's juicy, flavorful, tender and so easy to make. The secret is marinading the chops in brine prior to cooking it. We really loved it, including the kids, who really had no trouble eating the meat since it's tender, juicy and yummy. I guarantee it :)

Ingredients:
4 pieces (3/4 inch thick) pork chops, around 120 g a piece
Salt and pepper to taste
McCormick Italian Seasoning Herbs, around 1-2 Tbsps.
2 Tbsps. extra-virgin olive oil

Brine Solution:
1.5 cups water
3 Tbsps. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. table salt



Directions:
Combine all ingredients for the brine solution; mix until sugar and salt dissolve. Pour solution in a zip lock/ food grade plastic bag. Add in chops, seal the plastic, and marinade in the refrigerator for one (1) hour.

Drain the chops (throw out the brine solution) and dry with paper towels.
Set aside.
Mix together salt (not too much), pepper, herbs and olive oil. It will look like paste. Rub this paste on both sides of the chops. Leave for about 30 minutes for the meat to absorb the flavor.

Heat up a grill pan until very hot. Sear in chops (no need to put oil), around 3 minutes per side.

Serve right away and enjoy!

Little Brenzie Bunny

Meet out little bunny Brenzie :) I'm glad he loves this bunny costume (passed on from Trixie) which he will wear in the costume parties to come.

Trixie, My Flower Princess

Here are some photos of my two kids at Jon and Michelle Go's wedding last October 2, 2010. This was Trixie's third time to be a flower girl, and she was really good at it.

Got to wear shades!

Kids played around with my shades. I remember when I was a kid, I also did that. :)