| Rice has always been the staple food in | | | | vegetable oil. Stir in the beef and |
| Filipino cuisine, but until recently, plain | | | | refrigerate for about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, |
| and fried were the only varieties we knew. It | | | | stir-fry the onions and bell peppers in the |
| was only a few years ago that we started | | | | remaining oil for about 3 minutes. Remove |
| playing around with rice recipes such as | | | | from the pan, then stir-fry the marinated |
| java, garlic, chili, and Chinese. But what | | | | beef for another 3 minutes. Stir in the |
| seems to be a hit among Filipinos is rice | | | | vegetables and cook until the beef is done. |
| toppings, wherein meat and vegetable dishes | | | | |
| are served on top of a box of rice. It's the | | | | Honey Lemon Chicken |
| same old Filipino food, but packed in a | | | | |
| light, convenient way. You've probably seen | | | | This tasty topping provides a good contrast |
| them in malls, sidewalks, and school | | | | to wild and flavored rice, especially the |
| cafeterias. | | | | Chinese and garlic varieties. It also goes |
| | | | well with cold Filipino desserts recipes and |
| But although they come in handy on busy days, | | | | salads. The dish is fairly easy to prepare; |
| they're often overpriced, especially | | | | you can have it ready in less than 30 |
| considering that you can do them yourself at | | | | minutes. |
| home. That's right-you don't have to run to | | | | |
| the mall whenever you're craving. What's | | | | Ingredients: |
| more, there are no long lines and you can mix | | | | |
| and match toppings as you please. Here are | | | | 4 pcs skinless chicken breasts, chopped |
| some Filipino food recipes that make | | | | |
| excellent rice toppings. | | | | 1/3 cup honey |
| | | | |
| Chicken Curry | | | | ¼ cup lemon juice |
| | | | |
| It's more Indian than Filipino, but it fits | | | | ¼ cup butter, melted |
| in perfectly with other Filipino cooking | | | | |
| recipes. Curry blends well with rice because | | | | 2 tbsp hot water |
| of its strong flavors. Use it on plain white | | | | |
| rice-flavored varieties will wash out the | | | | 1 tsp seasoning |
| taste of the curry. | | | | |
| | | | Procedure: Preheat oven to 325oF. Place the |
| Ingredients: | | | | chicken breasts in a baking dish with the |
| | | | bone side facing down. Sprinkle with |
| 3 cups chicken meat, diced | | | | seasoning. Set aside. Mix the honey and hot |
| | | | water, then add the butter and lemon juice. |
| 1 cup chicken broth | | | | Pour over the chicken breasts and cover with |
| | | | foil. Bake until the chicken is just done. |
| 2 tbsp curry powder | | | | Remove the cover and baste with the remaining |
| | | | sauce. Continue cooking until the chicken is |
| 1 small onion, chopped | | | | browned, basting occasionally to add flavor. |
| | | | |
| ½ tsp powdered ginger | | | | Sweet and Sour Pork |
| | | | |
| ¾ cup flour | | | | A favorite viand among Filipinos, sweet and |
| | | | sour pork is a perfect complement to almost |
| ¾ cup butter | | | | any rice variety. It's great for kids as it |
| | | | offers a nice blend of flavors and a balance |
| 2 ½ cups milkgarlic to taste | | | | of meat and vegetables. |
| | | | |
| Procedure: In, melt the butter and sauté | | | | Ingredients: |
| the ginger, garlic, onion, and curry powder. | | | | |
| Set on low heat and let stand for about 1 | | | | ¾ kg pork loin, deboned and sliced into |
| minute. Add in the broth and milk and stir | | | | bite-size pieces |
| until the soup is thick. Stir in the chicken | | | | |
| and cook until the chicken is done. Serve | | | | 2 ½ c pineapple chunks (reserve juice) |
| over white rice. | | | | |
| | | | 1 tbsp soy sauce |
| Stir-fried Beef Teriyaki | | | | |
| | | | ¼ c vinegar |
| Filipinos love teriyaki dishes because of | | | | |
| their distinct Asian flavor. They make | | | | ¼ c packed brown sugar |
| excellent rice toppings because they're easy | | | | |
| to cook and personalize-you can make them | | | | ½ c onion slices |
| all-meat, all-veggie, or a mix of the two | | | | |
| like most Filipino recipes. This recipe can | | | | 1 pc green onion, thinly sliced |
| be prepared in advance, perfect for those | | | | |
| hectic weekdays. | | | | 2 tbsp cornstarch |
| | | | |
| Ingredients: | | | | ½ tsp salt |
| | | | |
| ½ kg beef round, cut into strips | | | | ¾ c water |
| | | | |
| 3 tbsps teriyaki sauce | | | | Procedure: sauté the pork in vegetable oil |
| | | | until it turns light brown. In a bowl, |
| 2 tsps cornstarch | | | | combine the water, pineapple juice, soy |
| | | | sauce, vinegar, salt and sugar. Mix until |
| 2 bell peppers, cut into strips | | | | well dissolved. Pour over the pork andlet it |
| | | | simmer until the meat is soft. Dissolve the |
| 6 spring onions, thinly sliced | | | | cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water, then |
| | | | add to the pork. Turn down the heat and |
| 4 tsps vegetable oil | | | | continue stirring until the mixture thickens. |
| | | | Stir in the pineapple chunks, pepper and |
| Procedure: In a bowl, mix together the | | | | onions. Simmer for another 10 minutes, then |
| cornstarch, teriyaki sauce, and half of the | | | | serve over rice. |