Saluyot Delightful Cooking

(ARA) – As you start to build your new home, or remodel an older house into the comfortable and elegant retreat you've been dreaming about, one of the main rooms to consider will be the look, feel and use of your kitchen.

Let's face it. No matter where you try to entertain in your home, guests always end up in the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart and soul of any home and the main congregating point for families and friends. Whether you are empty-nesters or parents with children running through the house, the kitchen is your home’s center for entertaining, gathering, communicating and cooking.

When designing your dream kitchen, here are some ideas you can work in to create the "wow" factor:

1. Plan around your cooking style. How you and other cooks in your household use the work triangle -- the area between the sink, the stove and your refrigerator -- will help you determine the ideal layout. If you entertain a lot, consider adding an extra sink for food preparation, on a side counter or a center island. This will allow you more flexibility as you whirl around concocting marvelous meals and snacks -- especially if you have more than one chef in the kitchen.

2. Design your cabinets with function and style and make a statement with your finishes.

Custom cabinetry is a perfect way to show off your style and implement a custom design while maximizing your kitchen’s space for socializing, cooking, and storage. Cabinets by Graber crafts and builds wood custom cabinets using only the finest hardwoods available, matching wood grains on all pieces for consistency and color. The company will personally measure your space to make sure the final product fits exactly the way you want it to -- customized to within 1/16 of an inch -- taking responsibility off you and your contractor.

Wood cabinets and countertops from Cabinets by Graber also can include architectural wood carvings for all styles, creating the details you need for the "wow" factor in your kitchen. Visit www.cabinetsbygraber.com for ideas on how to make your new or remodeled kitchen a beautiful room.

3. Include space for the luxury appliances. What would your dream kitchen be without that indoor grill, built-in espresso machine or wine cooler tucked into an alcove? As you plan your kitchen, remember that custom cabinet makers can design around your appliance needs. Keep in mind traffic patterns through the kitchen space and the frequency you will use such appliances.

4. Light it up If you have a gorgeous kitchen, you need to illuminate it so everyone can admire the work, style and craftsmanship. Consider installing recessed canned lights or a simple chandelier or pendent lamp over the island. Built-in cabinet lighting and under cabinet lighting adds drama to the space and highlights areas like your countertops or special dishes.

As you begin to design your dream custom kitchen, keep these simple ideas in mind to create the perfect space for you.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

New Style ‘Adobong Kangkong’

1 bunch (about 150g) Kangkong (swamp cabbage)
1 tsp cooking oil
½ small onion
½ small onion
1-2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp balsamic salad dressing
1 tbsp light soy sauce
¼-1/2 cup diced bottled tuyo, well-drained
Salt to taste
1-2 tbsp fried garlic bits

Wash the kangkong well and separate the leaves from the stalks. Heat oil in a skillet and sauté onion and garlic. Add the kangkong stalks and sauté for about 30 seconds. Stir in kangkong leaves and sauté for one minute.

Pour in balsamic dressing and soy sauce. Add tuyo and, if desired, season with salt. Transfer to a serving platter. Top garlic bits.

Tips

* The stalks of the kangkong take a little longer to cook. Hence the need to separate them from the leaves. For that reason, they’re also cooked 30 seconds longer than the leaves.

* If the tuyo is too salty, soak the whole tuyo for a new minutes in cold water. Drain well and pat with paper towels before dicing.

* Fried garlic bits are available in bottles and sold in the condiments section of supermarkets. They’re also available in specialty shops and delis.
* Do not overcook the kangkong to retain their nutrients.

Philippines Daily Inquirer www.inquirer.net/lifestyle Norma Chikiamco contributor

Absolut Mango and Apple

Apple juice
Ice

Pour as much Absolut Mango as you like then fill it up with apple juice. Serve with ice.

Manila Bulletin, June 26, 2006

ANNALIZA’S MONGOLIAN MIX

Ingredients:

1 pack egg noodles
4 cups bean sprouts
4 tbsp. Cooking oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped finely
1 pc. Onion, chopped
½ kilo pork, cut into strips
2 tbsp. Teriyaki sauce
2 ½ tbsp. Oyster sauce
1 tsp. White wine vinegar
2 fried tofu, cut into strips
2 pcs. Bell peppers, sliced
1 tsp. Knorr original liquid seasoning
8 pcs. Boiled quail eggs

Procedure:

Boil egg noodles and bean sprouts in separate pans. Cook until noodles and beans are soft. Strain, wash and set aside.

In a sauce pan, sauté garlic and onions. Add pork and continue sautéing. After five minutes, add chicken and Knorr shrimp cubes and sauté pork and chicken until they are light brown in color.
Put in carrots and let it simmer for a few minutes then add squid balls, baguio beans, cabbage and sprouted beans.

Mix well and let it simmer before putting the egg noodles.

Add teriyaki sauce, oyster sauce and white wine vinegar. Mix well then add fried tofu strips and bell peppers.

Add Knorr original liquid seasoning and let it simmer for five minutes. Serve in a bowl and garnish with quail eggs.

October 14, 2005 Manila Buleltin

Ingredients:

Knorr Cook-It-Easy Kare-Kare powder
1 whole chicken, chopped
4 tbsp. Cooking oil
6 cloves garlic
1 pc. Onion, sliced
2 pcs. Knorr chicken cubes
1 cup thick coconut milk (Knorr Coor-It-Easy Gata Mix)
1 tbsp. Peanut butter
3 cups thin coconut milk
3 potatoes cut into half
2 carrots, sliced into strips
1 bundle string beans, sliced
1 slice eggplant
225 g tomato sauce
¼ tbsp. Salt

Procedure:

Mix Knorr Cook-It-Easy Kare Kare Powder with the chopped chicken, then set aside. In a pan, sauté garlic and onion, Knorr Chicken Cubes.

Add chicken with curry powder and simmer until it becomes dry. Put thin coconut milk and let it boil for one minute.

Add peanut butter and the thick coconut milk. Let it simmer before adding potatoes, carrots, string beans and eggplant.

Keep cooking over low fire until the veggies are cooked and tender. Put tomato sauce then add salt, if needed.

October 14, 2005, Manila Bulletin

Ingredients:

¼ cup packed dark brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
1 tbsp glucose
1 tbsp dark rum
2 whole eggs
1 cup butter, melted
1 ¼ cups sifted all-purpose flour
½ tbsp sifted baking powder
¼ tsp cinnamon powder
½ tsp fine salt
½ cup local glazed fruits
½ cup raisins
½ chopped dried apricot
½ cup shredded dried coconut

Procedure:

Preheat the over to 350°F. Line a 7 by 11 inches rectangular baking pan with a sheet of Glad Foil, dull side up. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl combine the following ingredients using a wire whip – brown sugar, white sugar, glucose, rum and eggs. Beat until smooth.

Then pour in melted butter. Beat until incorporated. Then add the rest of ingredients. Beat until blended.

Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in all four corners comes out clean.

Brush the top surface with 1 tbsp of dark rum. Allow to cool at room temperature and then chill overnight for best results.

Slice the cookies into 24 bars. Wrap individually in Glad Foil and then in colored cellophane for an attractive, metallic holiday look.

Wrapping in foil also preserves the flavor of this mini fruit cake bar.

Manila Bulletin, December 23, 2005


Proceed now to Chocolate Recipes

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Ingredients;
Crust:
6 tbsps butter
¼ cup sifted powdered sugar
1 cup sifted allpurpose flour

Cheesecake:

1 tbsp unflavored gelatin powder
¼ cup water
½ bar/cup cream cheese, at room temp.
½ cup white suger
1 ½ cup all purpose cream

Topping:

Canned blueberry or cherry pie filling or fresh fruits in season like strawberries chocolate shavings

Procedure;

Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Wrap the bottom of a 9-inch removable bottom round cake pan with a sheet of Glad Foil.

To prepare the crust, combine the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Transfer to the prepared pan and press with your fingers to completely cover the base with the mixture. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until light brown.

To prepare the filling, disperse the gelatin in water. Cook over low heat until clear. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until light. Pour in the sugar and cream. Continue to beat until creamy. Pour the mixture to the pan with the baked crust. Chill until firm.
Unmold the cheesecake and top with your favorite pie filling or fresh fruit and garnish with chocolate shavings.

Proceed to Chocolate Recipes

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