Cooking for Beginners

A wife and an Aspiring Cook Join me in my journey as I learn how to cook from the simplest recipes to the complicated ones. Everyone can definitely cook if they put their heart and mind to it. Welcome to my Online Recipe Book! <3 lots, #thewifeychef :)

[thewifeychef]

Sweet and Sour Fish

Ingredients:

1 pc Tilapia, fried

1 pc carrots, julliened

1 pc red bell pepper / capsicom, julliened

5 cloves Garlic, diced

1 onion, sliced

1 pc thumb size ginger, julliened

2- 3 tbsp Brown sugar

3 tbsp Ketchup

1/2 cup Vinegar

1 tbsp cornstarch

Salt

Pepper

1 1/2 cup water

2 tbsp oil

Cooking Instructions:

Heat oil in a pan, sautee ginger, onions and garlic.

Add carrots and bell pepper and let it cook for 2 -3 minutes.

Add water and simmer for 5 minutes.

Add ketchup, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper then mix thoroughly. Note: add the sugar gradually until you are satisfied with the taste.

Add cornstarch diluted in 1/2 cup water and mix gradually.

Let the sauce thicken and adjust the taste if needed.

Add the sauce on top of the fried tilapia and serve.

[thewifeychef]

Chili Garlic Sauce

Ingredients:

2 cups Oil

1/4 cup Chili Pepper flakes

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tbsp black peppercorns

Salt

Ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. On a jar, add chili pepper flakes, minced garlic and a dash of salt and ground black pepper.

2. Heat pan, add oil and black peppercorns. When the smoke starts to appear on the pan, remove the ground black pepper.

3. Turn off heat. Carefully pour the hot oil on the jar and stir so that the chili pepper flakes won’t burn.

4. Let it cool before using.

[thewifeychef]

Easy Gravy Sauce

Ingredients:

2 tbsp Butter

1 -2 tbsp All Purpose Flour

1/2 Beef cubes

Salt

Pepper

1 cup water

1/2 tsp soy sauce

Cooking Instructions:

On a sauce pan, melt butter. Add the all purpose flour gradually to make a paste.

Add beef cubes and gradually add hot water. Whisk thoroughly.

Add soy sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Then mix thoroughly. You can add more water if the consistency is too thick.

Serves two persons, good for one meal.

[thewifeychef]

Easy Mashed Potato

Ingredients:

1 large potato (brushed, unpeeled)

Milk

Butter

Salt

Pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. On a cooking pot, boil water with a tbsp of salt. Take a fork to make tiny holes on the potato. Place the potato on the boiling water and let it cook for 20 minutes or until tender. You can check this by using a fork to check the tenderness on the potato.

2. Remove the potato from the hot water, discard the water. Let the potato rest for a few minutes before peeling off the skin.

3. On a bowl, mash the potato using a fork until there are no more chunks.

4. Add melted butter, fold and mix it thoroughly.

5. Gradually add milk until you achieve the type of consistency you like your mashed potato. You can add more milk if you want it creamier.

6. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 2 persons. Best serve with gravy sauce.

[thewifeychef]

Kalabasa Pakbet

Ingredients:

1/4 kilo pork saute marinated with salt and pepper

1/4 kalabasa, sliced into cubes

1 pc tomatoes, sliced

5 cloves garlic, crushed

1 pc onion, sliced

1 tbsp shrimp paste

2 tbsp oyster sauce

Pepper

Pepper Flakes

Cooking instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and fry pork until crispy. Remove excess oil and leave up to a tbsp.

2. Saute garlic then onion and then tomatoes. Add a dash of pepper then pepper flakes. Let cook for 2 minutes or until tomatoes are soft.

3. Add and mix oyster sauce and let cook for another 2 minutes.

4. Add and mix shrimp paste and let cook for a minute.

5. Add and mix the squash until well blended. Let cook for 2-3 minutes.

6. Add 1 cup hot water and let simmer for 5-6 minutes or until squash is tender.

7. Season to taste.

7. Serve and enjoy!

[thewifeychef]

Pork Afritada with Ketchup

Ingredients:

1/4 kilo pork saute, marinated with pepper, salt and soy sauce

2 tbsp oil

1 tbsp butter

2 pcs carrots, sliced lengthwise

1 green or red bell pepper, thinly sliced

Pepper

Salt

Peppe Flakes

2 tbs ketchup

1/2 cup hot water

Cooking instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan, add butter. As the butter melts, saute garlic then onions.

2. Add marinated pork with soy sauce and let it cook for 10 minutes while stirring occassionaly.

3. Add hot water, carrots, bell peppers, pepper, and pepper flakes. Let cook for 7-10 minutes or until carrots and pork are tender.

4. Add ketchup and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.

5. Season to taste.

6. Serve and enjoy!

Serves 2.

[thewifeychef]

Beef Chow Fan

Ingredients

1/2 kilo ground beef, marinate with pepper and salr

1 cup cooked rice

Spring onions, diced

Cabbage, diced

3 tbsp oyster sauce

5 cloves garlic, diced

1 onion, diced

Pepper

Salt

Pepper Flakes

Cooking instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan, cook the beef until it turns brown. Remove excess oil.

2. Saute garlic then onions. Add pepper and pepper flakes. Mix and let cook for 2-3 minutes.

3. Add oyster sauce and mix until well blended. Let cook for another 3 minutes.

5. Add cabbage and spring onions. Let cook for another 5 minutes.

6. Add cooked riced and mix them together until well blended. You can add more pepper and pepper flakes if you like.

7. Serve and enjoy!

Serves 2.

[thewifeychef]

Bulalo

Ingredients:

1 kilo beef shank

1 pork cube

3-4 onions, sliced

Whole Peppercorns

Pechay

2 tbsp Patis

Spring onions

Green Chili

Lemon or kalamansi

Cooking Instructions:

1. Fill casserole with water and let it boil.

2. When the water boils, add the beef, beef cubes, peppercorns and onions. Continue to let it boil before covering the casserole. If you're cooking without a pressure cooker, add a stainless spoon to help soften the beef.

3. Simmer for 2 and a half hours.

4. Season with patis.

5. Add spring onions and pechay and let is simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Serve and Enjoy!

For dipping sauce:

2 tbsp patis Sliced green chili Squeeze lemon or kalamansi

Serves 3-4 people.

[thewifeychef]

Adobong Patatas

Ingredients:

1/4 kilo pork belly, cut into sautee slices (marinate with salt and pepper)

2 pcs onions, sliced

4 tbsp soy sauce

1 1/2 tbsp vinegar

1 cup water

pepper

pepper flakes

salt

3 - 4 pcs potato, peeled, cut into cubes

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and sautee onions until fragrant. Add a dash off pepper and mix it with the onions.

2. Add the pork belly and stir until well blended. Simmer for 7-10 minutes while adding a dash of pepper and stirring occassionally.

3. Add potatoes and mix well. Let it cook for 2 minutes.

4. Add water, soy sauce and vinegar, a dash of pepper,salt and pepper flakes. Do not stir and simmer for another 5 - 7 minutes.

5. Stir until well blended and season to taste.

6. Continue to simmer until both pork and potatoes are tender.

7. You can add more water just adjust the taste accordingly.

8. Once pork and potatoes are tender, turn off fire and serve hot.

Serves 2

[thewifeychef]

Chicken Halang Halang

Ingredients:

1/3 kilo chicken (breast/wing), sliced into bite pieces

6 cloves garlic, crushed

1 onion, sliced

1 thumb ginger, julliened

1/2 beef/chicken cube

4 tbsp vinegar

Pepper

Pepper flakes

Salt

Sili (optional)

2 tbsp oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Marinate chicken with salt and pepper for 15 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a pan, sautee garlic followed by onions and then ginger. Let it cook until fragrant.

3. Add the chicken slices and mix well.

4. Add a dash of salt, pepper, sili, pepper flakes and vinegar and let it cook for 2 minutes. Do not mix or stir.

5. Stir until well blended. Then, add 1 cup of water and add the beef/chicken cubes. Simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes.

6. Stir until well blended then season to taste and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until the chicken is tender.

7. Serve hot and enjoy!

Serves 2

[thewifeychef]

Homemade Cheesy Burger

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo ground beef

2 Burger Buns

4 Cheese Slices

1/2 cup Mozarella Cheese

Pepper

Salt

1 small white onion, sliced into circle shapes

Mayonnaise

How to prepare:

1. On a bowl, add the ground beef and season it with salt and pepper. Mix until well blended.

2. Scoop a spoonful and form it into a ball then flatten it with your palm to form a burger patty.

Cooking Instructions:

Note: You can grill or fry the burger patty depending on your preference.

1. Grill the burger patty and season each side with salt and pepper.

2. Once the patty is cooked, top it off with one cheese slice and let it melt. Remove from the grill. Set aside.

3. Grill burger buns and onions for 2-3 minutes and remove from grill. Set aside.

4. Spread mayonnaise on the bottom bun and place one cheese slice. Add the onions then add the grilled burger patty on top. Do not cover yet with the top bun.

5. On a pan, melt 2 cheese slices and mozarella cheese on low fire. Once melted, pour the melted cheese on top of the burger patty (see gif) before placing the top bun.

Serves 2

[thewifeychef]

Adobong Kangkong

Ingredients:

1/4 kilo pork belly, sliced into bite sizes (marinate with pepper and salt)

1 bunch Kangkong, leaves removed from stem

6 cloves garlic, crushed

1 pc onion, sliced

1 pc tomato, sliced

2 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tbsp shrimp paste

pepper

pepper flakes

2 tbsp oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and fry the pork belly slices until crispy. Set aside on the pan.

2. Sautee garlic, then onion until fragrant.

3. Mix the oyster sauce until well blended. Let it cook for 2 minutes.

4. Add shrimp paste, pepper and pepper flakes. Stir until well blended.

5. Add and mix the kangkong leaves. Let it cook for 3 minutes or until the kangkong is cooked.

6. You can add a half cup of water to add a bit of sauce to it and let it cook for a minute.

7. Transfer to a serving dish and serve with steamed okra on the side.

Serves 2.

[thewifeychef]

Shrimp Tempura

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo shrimp

Panko bread crumbs

Flour

2 pcs egg

Oil for deep frying

Salt

Pepper

Ketchup

Mayonnaise

Hot Sauce

How to prepare:

Shrimp

1. Remove the shrimp’s skin and bone.

2. Straighten the shrimp to create a tempura.

2. Marinate with salt and pepper.

Breading Mixture

1. On a bowl, pour in flour and season with salt and pepper.

2. On a separate bowl, beat the eggs and season with salt and pepper.

3. On a separate bowl, pour in the Panko bread crumbs

Tempura:

Coat the shrimp with the flour mixture then dip it into the beaten eggs and coat with Panko bread crumbs as final coating. Continue doing this until all shrimps has been coated.

How to cook:

Deep fry coated shrimps until golden brown.

Dipping Sauce:

Mix ketchup, mayonnaise and hot sauce until well blended.

Serves 2

[thewifeychef]

Pork Bistek (Liza’s Style)

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo pork chop slices

1 lemon or lemoncito

1 onion

1/2 cup soy sauce

Pepper

Salt

Pepper Flakes

1 bunch spring onions, diced

Instructions:

Marinate the pork chop with soy sauce, pepper, salt and lemon extract. Marinate overnight.

1. Heat oil in a pan and fry the pork chop slices. Set aside the marinade mixture.

2. Fry in each side until cooked.

3. Add the marinade mixture and onions.

4. Add pepper and pepper flakes.

5. Simmer for 5 -10 minutes.

6. Adjust the taste accordingly.

7. Transfer on a serving dish or add as rice topping and enjoy.

Serves 2 persons.

[thewifeychef]

Adobong Squid

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo squid, washed, bone removed and sliced

6 cloves garlic, crushed

1 onion, sliced

1 thumb ginger, juilienned

1 green chilli

Pepper

Salt

Pepper flakes

2 tbsp oil

Mix 4 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, and 2 tbsp vinegar.

1 bunch spring onions diced (optional)

Cooking instructions:

1. Marinate squid with salt and pepper for 10 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a wok, sautee garlic, then onions and then ginger. Add a dash of pepper and pepper flakes. Stir until well blended.

3. Add the squid and let it cook for 3 minutes.

4. Add the sauce mixture, green chilli and pepper flakes. Do not stir. Simmer for 2 minutes then stir until well blended.

5. Cook for another 3-5 minutes or until the squid is cooked. It should only take a few minutes to cook the squid.

6. Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with spring onions and serve.

Serves 2.

[thewifeychef]

Homemade Croquetas

Ingredients:

1 pc big potato

Cheddar cheese, sliced into cubes

Salt

Pepper

Panko bread crumbs

1 pc egg

Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions:

1. Wash the potato and peel off the skin. Slice the potato into 4 parts and wash them with running water.

2. Add 3 - 4 cups of water in a casserole and wait for it to boil.

3. Once the water starts to boil, add the potato sliced and simmer for 10 minutes or until tender.

4. Once the potatoes are tender, remove them from the casserole and set aside in a bowl. Using a fork, smashed the potatoes until completely fine. You can use a grater for this instead of using a fork.

5. Season with salt and pepper.

6. On a separate bowl, crack the eggs and whisk.

7. On a separate bowl, add the panko bread crumbs.

8. Scoop a spoonful of the smashed potato and form it into a ball. Flatten it in between your palm and place 1 cube of cheddar cheese at the center. Cover the cheese using the sides of the potato to make it as a filling. Repeat this step until no more smashed potato is left.

9. Coat each croqueta with bread crumbs, dip into the beaten egg and then coat them again with bread crumbs. Repeat this step until all croquetas has been coated.

10. Heat oil in a pan and fry the croqueta 1 minute per side or when it turns a bit of golden brown. You only need to cook this for a short period of time just enough to make it crispy since the potatoes were already precooked.

11. Serve with cheddar sauce as dipping sauce or you can combine mayonnaise, hot sauce and ketchup together as dipping sauce.

Makes 8 pieces.

[thewifeychef]

Spicy Ginataang Crab

Ingredients:

4 pcs crabs

6 cloves garlic, crushed

1 small onion, sliced

1 thumb ginger, julienned

1 small can coconut milk

Salt

Pepper

Pepper flakes

1/4 cup Butter

2 tbsp oil

2 pcs green chilies, sliced

1 bunch spring onions, diced

Cooking instructions:

1. Wash the crabs and marinate with salt for 10 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a wok and sautee garlic, then onion and ginger.

3. Add a dash of pepper and pepper flakes. Stir.

4. Place the crabs evenly on the wok.

5. Add the coconut milk and green chilies. Let it boil.

6. Add the butter and continue to simmer for 5 minutes.

7. Season to taste.

8. Add spring onions and continue to simmer until the crabs are cooked or until it turns orange.

9. Transfer on a serving plate and enjoy!