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