Ube Macapuno Roll With Cream Cheese Icing

This is very easy recipe, I used frozen mashed ube and cream cheese macapuno filling. For the icing, so simple cream cheese,powdered sugar and some purple food coloring.Roll the cake into  a dusted powdered sugar cheese cloth while still hot and leave it rolled to an hour while you prepare  the icing and no cracks on the cake see the pictures.My frosting has a rich purple color but it looked dull in the picture. My husband and kids loved it.


1c.sifted cake flour
1/2t. baking soda
1/2t.salt
5large eggs
1c.sugar
1c.thawed mashed ube(found in the frozen section)
1/2t.cinnamon
1/2t.nutmeg
purple/violet food color

1-8 oz softened cream cheese (room temperature)
1c. powdered sugar plus more for dusting and rolling the cake
1t.vanilla extract
1/2 jar of macapuno, ube food color

for the cake:
1.adjust oven rack in the middle and haet oven to 350
2.grease 18x13 baking sheet and line it w/greased and floured wax paper or parchment
3.mix flour,salt,spices,baking soda in a bowl
4. beat eggs  and granulated until pale yellow and thick about 6-8 minutes
5.add the thawed mashed ube mix on low speed until incorporated
6.fold the flour mixture add the violet food color(if using powdered one dissolve i t in a small amount of water before adding,I used the wilton paste)
7.spread the batter evenly and bake for 15 minutes or until cake is firm and springs back to touched
8.flour a clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar, turn the cake upsidedown to the towel and loosen the 4 corners of the cake with a butter knife.
9.gently peel off the paper  attached to the cake and discard,roll the cake gently and cool completely about an hour.


frosting:
1.mix softened cream cheese  with powdered sugar add  vanilla  until smooth in texture(dont add the food coloring  yet)
2.gently unroll the cake and spread the white cream cheese icing about 1/3 of the icing  then the macapuno roll it back gently  leaving the  kitchen towel behind.
3.trim the edges by cutting a slice of both ends, add the violet food coloring into the icing and ice the cake
4.run a fork very gently on top to resemble a log and chill before cutting. Enjoy!

Christmas butter sugar cookies

My kids made these yesterday, it is so easy to make with less ingredients.Just chill the dough and use a christmas cookie cutter ice with simple powder sugar and milk icing  and color icing  with the holiday color. This is just half of the original recipe and makes 24 buttery cookies.The recipe is from The homemade cookies recipe book.


1/2c.butter room temperature
1/2c.sugar
1/2c.sour cream
1 extra large egg yolk
1/2t.vanilla
1 1/2c.sifted APF
1/2t.salt
1/2t.b.powder
1/4 t. baking soda
Sugar (for tops)

Cream butter and sugar thoroughly; add sour cream, egg yolk, and vanilla.
Sift together dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture, blending well; chill.
Roll out the dough flat and cut the shapes out and place on greased cookie sheet. (be sure to flour the cookie cutter and surface)
Place in the oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Fried Rice

day old rice about 4-5 cups
minced ham/bacon/cooked sausage
celery/carrots/peas/onions/garlic minced or use a frozen mixed veggies
hoisin sauce/soysauce or sweet and sour sauce
2T. of oil

1.cook all the meat and add all the veggies
2.add the day old rice  frequently stir them
3. add the hoisin,soy sauce add pepper and salt to your taste,stir
4.the secret of fried rice is constatly stirring so the bottom wont burn
5. taste and  adjust the seasoning, you could add  cooked scrambled eggs too.

Hot Chocolate In A Jar

Hot Chocolate In A Jar

you will need:
Clean jar with lid
Instant hot chocolate mix (best to buy it in the can)
Chocolate chips
mini marshmallows
 candy cane (wrapped)

What to do: Fill the jar half-full with hot chocolate mix. Add a layer of chocolate chips. Then fill to the top with marshmallows. Decorate the lid with ribbon. Tie on a candy can to use as a minty stirrer. Write serving instructions from the hot chocolate can on your gift card.

Stained Glass Cake

Stained Glass Cake

This recipe is very good, we served it at our church christmas party and they loved it! Recipe is courtesy of Cooks Country magazine.

Ingredients:
12 Graham crackers, crushed to fine crumbs (about 1 1/2 cups)
3/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
3 (3-ounce) boxes Jell-O
4 1/2 cups boiling water
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

For the crust: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Stir cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and butter in bowl until crumbs resemble wet sand. Press into bottom of 9-inch springform pan and bake until edges are golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

For the filling: In 3 seperate large bowls, whisk each box of Jell-O with 1 1/2 cups boiling water until dissolved. Pour into 3 loaf pans or pie plates and refrigerate until set, about 4 hours. Once Jell-O has solidified, cut into 1/2 inch cubes and keep chilled. Combine 1/4 cup pineapple juice and unflavored gelatin in bowl. Microwave, stirring occasionally, until gelatin is dissolved, 1 to 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in remaning pineapple juice. With electric sand mixer set on medium-high speed, whip cream, vanilla,salt, and remaining sugar until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and slowly add juice mixture until combined. Gently fold Jell-O cubes into cream mixture. Scrape into prepared pan and referigate until set, at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.

Fresh Spring Rolls

This is my husband and my daughter favorite,very light,healthy and minty refreshing. Combined with the peanut hoisin sauce is the all time party appetizer.


12 cooked,peeled shrimp butterfly into two(lay the shrimp flat and cut it into horizontal )
leaf lettuce,matchsticks carrots,mint
boiled  and rinsed rice noodles
vietnamese rice paper
a bowl of warm water


1.wash and dry all the veggies
2.on a clean plate lay all the ingredients
3.dip the rice paper roll in warm water until pliable spread it on a plate.lay 3 shrimp on the rice paper then lettuce carrot sticks then mint.
4.fold the side first then the bottom part make sure its tight  then roll it gently,place on a dish and cover with plastic wrap
5.chill before serving


Peanut Hoisin Sauce


1T.cornstarch
3Tsmooth peanut butter
2T.hoisin sauce.
3/4c.water
1t.sesame oil
a dash of hot sauce
3T brown sugar

1.cook and blend all ingredients until thicken serve  it at room temperature with the spring rolls.

HEALTHY MEAT LOAF

This is my recipe for a healthy meatlof, I hid all the veggies so my kiddos will eat them and it never fail me. They think they are eating  meat but guess what, its good for them. You could use any veggies fresh or frozen as long as not an over powering veggies like bitter melon (ampalaya)(duh!)I used lean ground turkey but a combo of meat will be ok too.The ketchup and bbq sauce together on top give it a little zing. This is like embotido but easier to prepare. I used a meatloaf seasoning but you could mix spices from your pantry  like parsley,oregano,garlic or onion or use fresh spices if available,enough for the talking,here is my  simple recipe.


1lb lean/lowfat ground meat(I used turkey)
2 whole eggs(for low fat use only the egg whites)
1c. rolled oatmeal (I used the old fashioned but you could use the instant too)
1c. low fat milk
2 stalk of celery,1/2 onion, a clove of garlic,1/2 c. frozen peas and carrots or any veggies you like sometimes I used zucchini too
1/2 package meat loaf seasoning (McCormick meatloaf seasoning)or just mix your seasoning like salt ,pepper choice of fresh or dried spices
ketchup and bbq sauce combined, some salt and pepper

1.preheat oven to 350
2.mix oats with milk
3.add spices,eggs,meat
4.put all veggies in a food processors and pulse until little pieces
5.add veggies with the meat mixture and mix until blended with a clean hands
6.spray meatloaf pan with oil, add the meatloaf and top with ketchup and bbq sauce and bake for an hour
7.after baking let it cool down for about 5 minutes before serving.

Kitchen tip: you could throw some potatoes  in the oven for baked potatoes just adjust the cooking time  to 1 1/2 hours. or longer.

Leche Flan

Its the holiday season again, time for bibinka topped with kesong puti and salted eggs and puto bongbong,hot tea and simbang gambi. Puto with lugaw and leche flan yum,yum,yum.Here is my Inang Daling(my grand ma )recipe of leche flan.My Inang always used duck eggs but I  substitute extra large chicken yolk.I added a pinch of lemon extract and fresh dayap(lime)zest and used pancake syrup for the kiping or pure maple syrup.


12 extra large eggyolks
1t.lime zest or lemon zest
1- 14oz condensed milk
1-12oz evaporated milk
1t.lemon extract
1/2c. maple or pancake syrup


1.preheat oven to 350
2.pour the syrup in a baking dish(I used an oblong pryrex)
3.whisk the rest of the ingredients until blended and let the zest soak in the egg mixture for 5-7 minutes
4.strain into the  prepared  baking dish(to remove the zest)
5.bake on a water bath(get a bigger pan,pour hot water and use a folded foil or disposable aluminum pie plate folded and place the custard on top)
6.bake for an hour or until knife inserted in the flan comes out clean.chill and turn it upside down on a nice plate.make sure you run a clean knife around the dish to loosen up the custard.


  tips: you could steam leche flan too and cover  them with foil while steaming.

Sweet Potato Pie (KAMOTE PIE)

This recipe is so simple and so easy. I got the recipe  from All Recipe web sites.A good way to eat your veggies!This is my son  all time  paborito!

1pound sweet potatoes
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1c. white sugar
1/2c. evap. milk or fresh milk
2 eggs
1/2t.cinnamon
1/2t.ground nutmeg
1t.vanilla extract
1T. flour
1(9 inch) unbaked pie crust

1.You can bake or boil the sweet potatoes until tender.wrap in foil before baking and cook for 1 hour at 350
2.Peel and mashed,add butter,sugar and the rest of the ingredients,use a mixer to remove sweet potatoes fibers,beat in medium speed until smooth.
3. Pour into unbaked pie shell bake at 350(175 degrees  C)for 55 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Pecan Pie

This recipe is from the back of Karo corn syrup bottle.We used  Karo syrup to top  our pancakes back then  when we  were little.

1c.Karo syrup
3 eggs
1c. white or brown sugar
2T.melted butter
1t.vanilla extract
1 1/2c. pecans
1 unbaked 9-inch deep dish pie crust

1. preheat oven to 350
2.stir the first 5 ingredients throughly. Mix pecans
3.pour into pie crust
4.bake in the center of oven for 60-70 minutes.cool for 2 hours,store pie in refrigerator


tips-  spray measuring cup with oil before measuring the karo syrup for easy clean up.Try different nuts if pecans are unavailable. Very good!

SYLVANNA /SANS RIVAL

12 egg whites room temperature
1t. cream of tartar
1 1/2c. sugar
1t. vanilla extract
3 c. chopped nuts( I used almonds)
plastic piping bag

icing:

1 1/2 c. butter room temperature(I used the unsalted kind)
3/4 c  sugar
2c. chopped nuts


1. Preheat oven to 300, line a cookie sheets with greased  and floured foil
2. Beat eggwhites and cream of tartar,add sugar and vanilla gradually. Beat until stiff but not dry.
3.Add the finely chopped nuts just fold so gently
4.Fill the piping bag with meringue, cut the end with a small hole, you could pipe it in circle or oblong shape .
5.Bake into the center of the oven   for 30-35 or longer the meringue needs to be brown in color and cool on a wire rack.
6. For the icing; beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy
7. Ice the cooled cookies and roll with chopped nuts,place them on top of the cupcake liners, so they wont stick together, store them in the freezer bags until ready to eat. The meringues stays really crisp in the freezer,just thaw out  5-10 minutes on top of the counter before serving. Sylvanna is very rich dessert so a  person could really eat only one.

My kids like them without icing hindi nakakasuya.Good with a cup of hot unsweetened tea. They kept very well in the freezer for months.

Easy Strawberry Jam

This recipe is from Ina Garten book but I tweaked it a lttle with lemon juice and zest. It is better than store bought.Good for toast,biscuit or filling for the jelly roll or holiday gifts.Very easy to make even a 10 year old could do  it with adult supervision.Frozen berries are good substitute .


3 pints fresh strawberry
3c.sugar
2T lemon juice
1/2c.fresh blueberries
1/2 granny smith apple,peeled,cored and diced to small  diced
1 lemon zest

Wash strawberries and drain. Cut  the berries into quarters and leave the small one into whole.Place strawberries in a heavy bottom pot toss them with sugar and lemon juice and lemon zest.
Bring the berry to boil over medium heat stirring often. Add apple and blueberries and continue the mixture to rolling boil.Stirring occasionally.About 20-25 minutes or until candy thermometer reaches 220 degrees. You could test it into a spoon and allow it to cool down if it thickens it is done.Skim foam.Allow to cool and cover it store in the refrigerator . It will keep for 2 weeks.Or process jam in canning jars

Siopao Asado

When I was in highschool at St. Annes Academy  I used to sell these siopao to my teachers and friends and it was a hit. My kids and husband favorite merienda. The recipe makes a lot about 2 dozens depending the size, but  it freezes well. It is a good winter snack or eaten with soup or goto.


Recipe Hint:  Please check yeast expiration date!
                     Add a teaspoon of vinegar to the water steamer to whiten the dough while steaming.
                     Use a lukewarm water(maligamgam na tubig) to the yeast.
                     Cover the steamer lid with a cheesecloth to avoid soggy siopao.It catches the water
                      condensation.

Mixt. 1

1 1/2 c. lukewarm water
1T. Yeast
2T. sugar
 mix it until frothy.

Mixt. 2

41/2c. APF
2/3c. sugar
3T oil/shortening/lard
1T.baking powder
24 square paper 2x2 or use a coffee filter
Sift all dry ing. and add the frothy yeast mixture
 Knead unti smooth adding more water if needed. Form into a ball and place in a greased bowl cover with damp cloth,place in an OFF oven or a warm place until double  in size.Punch the center to release gas and let it rise again. Roll into a floured surface into a log and cut into 24 pieces. Flatten the dough into round make sure the middle is thicker than the edges. Place 2 T.  of  cooled asado filling  and gather all the edges and seal it by twisting it. Smooth side up , place a square paper at the bottom . Put them in the steamer basket and cover with damp cloth and let it rise for 10 min.
Put a teaspoon of vinegar in the water steamer and steam for 10-15 minutes.Dont forget to place  a cheesecloth on top of the lid to absorb the excess water.Enjoy!!!



Asado Filling:

1 1/2 Lb. of pork loin cut thinly
4T.charsui sauce( I used lee kumkee) or  just mix 4T.brown sugar,2T soy.3T hoisin,1/2t. 5 spice powder and a little pepper if  you cant find the charsui sauce.   Marinate overnight and bake at 350 until tender about 35 minutes,cut into small pieces .

Sauce:
mix the cooked pork with 2T.cornstarch,hoisin,sugar to taste and pepper and some of the sauce from the cooked meat, cook it until thicken    add water if needed. let  it cool . You could add the filling  into fried rice too.   The siopao procedure  is a bit long but it is all worth it!

Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake With Fudge Frosting

I got this recipe from my mother in law  Elna. The cake is simply addictive,so moist and very easy to make.If you don't have buttermilk, just substitute fresh milk 2% or whole milk will work  just fine and add  some lemon juice or vinegar.This recipe is a keeper!

1c.water
1c.butter
1/4c.cocoa powder


2c.APF(all purpose flour)
2c.  sugar
1t.baking soda
2t.cinnamon
2eggs
1/2c.buttermilk

 Preheat oven to 350 adjust rack in the middle oven.
Blend in a saucepan the first  3 ingredients( cocoa powder,butter and water) and heat to boiling, set aside.
Sift all dry ingredients (flour,cinnamon,b.soda,sugar) in a bowl
Mix buttermilk and eggs,beat well
Add the hot cocoa mixture and buttermilk/eggs into the dry ingredients
Bake into a greased pan in the middle of the oven for 20-25 minutes
While its baking,cook the fudge frosting and frost the cake while its warm.

  Fudge Frosting

1/4c.butter
1c.sugar
1/4c.milk
1/2c. choc. pieces or chips
1t.vanilla


Combine sugar,butter,milk bring to rolling boil and remove from heat,add vanilla and chocolate chips and beat it until spreading consistency.Spread on top of a warm cake and let it set before slicing. Enjoy!

Siomai Dimsum

1 Lb. ground meat (I used ground turkey)
3 green onion minced
2 beaten eggs
1 minced carrot
1T. soy sauce
1t. sesame oil
1/2 c. shreded chinese cabbage
1 tsp pepper
wanton wrappers

1. Mix all ingredients and chill for 1 hour
2.Boil water for the steamer
3.Fill the wanton wrappers it could be like a siomai or  closed dimsum  for the drop soup
4.Steam for  30-40 minutes
5.serve with sweet and sour sauce or soy sauce with lemon juice or kalamansi  juice

note:

This  raw dimsum freezes well,just  place a single layer of dimsum in a cookie sheet  and freeze them for an hour then transfer  it to a freezer bags.Boil some broth ,you could add veggies too and some noodles or wanton skin and drop frozen raw dimsum cook for 25-30 minutes.

You could deep fat fry them too like the potstickes and serve with a sweet sour sauce.

Easy No Bake Chocolate Tiramisu

1(8OZ) Mascarpone or cream cheese (softened)
1 1/2c.  cold milk
1 pkg.(3.4 oz) vanilla instant pudding
1 1/2c. heavy whipping cream or cool whipp
36 nilla wafers  or pacencia cookies
1 plain chocolate bar (grated)
1/2 c. strong hot chocolate mix ( I use 2 packages  of instant hot cocoa mix)(cooled)
1/4c. sugar


1. Beat whipping cream w/ 1/4c. of sugar until  stiff(omit this step if using cool whip)
2.Mix the softened cream cheese or mascarpone  to the whipped cream, set aside
3.Add 1 1/2c. cold milk to the instant vanilla puding  mix it until thick
4. Line  a sheet of foil on to the bottom of  a springform pan and lay the cookie on the bottom and sides
5.Pour a little cooled hot cocoa mix or just dip each cookies  and arrange on the pan side and bottom
6.Spread a little vanilla pudding then  the whipped cream cheese mixture sprinkle  chocolate shavings
7.Repeat the procedure with cookies dipped in chocolate mixture and ending with chocolate  shavings
8.Chill for 4 - 6 hours
9.Remove it from the springform pan and serve.
10. You could use a bowl too and just pile the layers and chill if you dont have a springform pan

Tocino

This is my sisters favorite almusal minus the salitre and the red food color,fatty meat. I remember my mom used to cook this dish and  the pork skin still on.



2 lbs pork butt or shoulder sliced thinl(trim most of the fat)
3/4c. ketchup
1/2c.brown sugar
1T.tomato paste
1/4c.vinegar or lemon or lime juice
2cloves of garlic minced
1 small onion minced
1/2c. pineapple juice or white soda(7-up,sprite)


1.slice the pork  into pieces.
2.mixed all ingredients in a bowl and add the meat,cover  with plastic and store in the fridge,let it marinate for
  2-3 days.
3. heat a frying pan with little oil  and add the meat,add alittle water,remove the lid and let it fry a little.
4.serve with rice,eggs,sliced tomatoes and onion. sarap na almusal.

Pancakes or Hotcakes

I remember Ate Resy(shes really my tita or aunt) cooking hotcakes for the weekend afternoon merienda and all the cousins just got up from siesta from the bahay kubo in the backyard.I think she just use the Maya Hotcake mix and we top it with Karo syrup or condensed milk.The first batch is uusally sunog(burnt). The secret of cooking pancake is never turn the hotcakes until all the bubbles on top  burst and turn it just once.This recipe is very soft and fluffy just make sure cook them in a low heat.


1c.APF
2T baking powder
1/4t.salt
2Tsugar
2large eggs beaten
1c milk(I use evap.)
2T sugar
1 large egg (beaten)
1 cup milk
2 T oil

Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl an add wet ingredients; mix until there is no lumps
heat the pan on medium heat put a little pancake mix until bubbles form on top, then flip.

Favorite Chicken Tacos

This is  a  fast and all time favorite in my house, lowfat and kid friendly delicious meal too.


2 trimmed of fat chicken breast
taco seasoning (low sodium)
1t.oil
1/4c. water
lowfat sour cream
cheese ,tomatoes,lettuce,chopped onions,flour tortilla fajita style
guacamole,picante sauce or salsa(optional),tortilla chips

1.brown chicken breast and simmer  about 5 minutes
2.sprinkle 1 T. low sodium taco seasoning and add water
3.cover and cook until done.
4.cut chicken into small pieces
5.return to the frying pan and cook for a minute
6.arrange tacos and top with favorite fixin
7.enjoy!!!

Peanut Butter Blossoms

This is a very easy cookie recipe. My daughter baked it all by herself.The  cookie is a little crumbly but very good peanut butter flavor.

Hershey's Kisses
1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups APF
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
sugar (to roll cookies in)

Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Beat butter and peanut butter until smooth and add sugar and brown sugar, beat until fluffy.
Add egg, milk, and vanilla, beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar, and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 8-10 min or until golden brown.
while baking, unwrap kisses from their wrappers and place on a plate.
When cookies are done, immediately place kisses in the middle of the cookies, cool and enjoy!!!