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