The Price of Rice

And the country with most expensive price of rice is.....(insert drum roll)

Rowena's Buko Tart

Last weekend, napadaan kami ng Tagaytay, we came from Tanauan Batangas, but we took a shortcut via Talisay-Tagaytay Road and napabili nanaman kami ulit ng famous Rowena's Buko Pie. So, since I have a blog na, here are some of my comments:

No doubt, walang question ang sarap ng Buko pie ni Rowena, tamang tama ang tamis may streusel pa sa ibabaw. But, for me it's too pricey, for a box of 9pcs of tart they charge you of P180. This is another classic sample of over hype marketing that gives the business to control their price. 

Bukayo Macchiato

I was inspired by the Bukayo that I tasted from House of Sylvannas, that push me to create a new recipe of this native delicacy of ours. This Bukayo recipe has a twist of western taste; something soft, creamy and has aromatic vanilla aroma.  After several test and wasting some ingredients I finally achieve the taste and texture that I want. So, here is the recipe (I decided not to disclose my "other ingredients" for trade secrets purposes) 

Bukayo, reducing process

Bukayo Macchiato


Ingredients:
1 Coconut, grated
1 Buko, grated
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
Coconut Juice
"Other Ingredients"


Procedure:
1. Simmer coconut juice and add the brown sugar in high heat.
2. Once coco juice thickens add the coconut and buko
3. Add "other ingredients" and continue to mix until thickens
4. Set aside and once cool, mold it into balls or to serving pieces you want. 
5. Best serve when chilled

Bukayo Macchiato Balls

I received some feedback, that this Bukayo really taste good and unusual from the ordinary taste. So, I might consider to sell in the future.

Vanilla Cheesecake Shake - Nutrimeal Creation

Here's my another nutrimeal shake, receipe creation. If medyo sawa na kayo sa usual flavors ng nutrimeal you can try this to make a new twist with your diet shake

*Nutritional value of Nutrimeal may change for this recipe

Vanilla-Cheesecake Shake

Vanilla Cheesecake Shake


Ingredients:
Vanilla Nutrimeal, 3 scoops
Cream Cheese, 5tbsp. (Substitute with plain Yogurt to make it healthy)
Graham crackers, cracked
500ml Cold water
2cups crushed Ice
Optional for toppings
Cheesecake, diced store brought (Preferably from Italianni's)


Procedure:
Mix everything in a blender and add graham before finishing.
Fold diced cheesecake in the shake and top with remaining cheesecake and graham bits.

McDonalds; The Greatest contribution of America to the World

McDonalds menu are so simple yet so classy. Nothing unusual with Mcdonalds menu, actually you can have it too in almost all the fast foods or restaurants around the world or even in the side streets of metro manila; Burgers, fries, chickens, floats, spaghetti etc. but there is something in Mcdo that they make their menu looks classy and appealing to all brackets of people. The World loves McDonalds, and love ko to. As what they said, "McDonalds; the greatest contribution of america to the world"

Easy Chicken Terriyaki

Chicken Terriyaki, Pan grilled style

Chicken Terriyaki

Ingredients:
250g Chicken Strips
Marinate:
1cup Coconut soy sauce
Garlic minced
Ginger, grated
2tbsp. Honey
Peppercorn
Side:
Beans sprout
Garlic, toasted
Sesame seeds, toasted






Procedure:
1. Mix chicken strips in marinating ingredients and set aside for at least 30mins.
2. In Medium heat frying pan, add 3tbsp. canola oil and pan grilled the chicken until, char grilled effect is reached. Set aside
3. Saute beans sprout and add the remaining terriyaki marinate mix, pepper and toasted garlic.
4. Arrange beans sprout and chicken and topped with toasted sesame seeds

Food Safety; the most neglected practice in home cooking

Great food is not all about its taste, presentation or the fancy ingredients that are made of. Above all, food safety should be consider Always. I learned it by heart, Food safety is very important in food preparation not only for commercial kitchen but most of all it should be practice in our own home kitchen. Maaring ikapahamak ng sino man, or ikamatay (worst case scenario) pag binalewala naten ito. 

So, here are four easy steps that you can practice at home to prevent food contamination:

(this is a US/Global standard for consumer food safety, to know more in details you may visit www.befoodsafe.org)

1. Clean - always clean your hands before and after handling the food. Clean your cooking utensils, chopping board etc., clean your working area, wash fruits and vegetables before cooking.

2. Seperate - keep raw meats (seafood, pork, beef, poultry) from ready-to-eat foods, vegetables and other dried goods.

3. Cook - cook food at the right temperature.

4. Chill - Chilling food properly is an effective way to prevent food borne illnesses.