Lumpiang Shanghai dip

A number of lumpiang shanghai preparations have come from our kitchen ever since we experimented with using wanton wrapper (and we have switched back to lumpia wrapper ever since). But I haven't discussed making a simple sauce to accompany the lumpiang shanghai. This is almost always the preferred dip for it, coupled with ketchup as an alternative for those who prefer a sweeter taste (so I'm talking banana ketchup here).

Banana muffin

I can bake! What a monumental event that was! I tried this recipe a couple of nights ago and came up with a wonderful batch of banana bread (which is one of my favorites, by the way). This recipe is real easy to do because there's no kneading and waiting for the dough to rise. I will surely want to try that soon, but in the meantime this recipe has totally given me the momentum to try out more challenging recipes.

And not only is this recipe easy to make, it's yummy too!

Polvoron

Now, who hasn't had a taste of polvoron? Practically everybody has (in the Philippines, that is). This sweet, powdered concoction usually molded into a thick, oblong shape and wrapped with either colorful cellophane or japanese paper is childhood fodder. Try to jam more than two pieces into your mouth and you end up coughing many of it out. I have yet to meet someone who can eat polvoron and talk at the same time. Polvoron is also a popular eating contest item at parties.

Our eldest sister used to cook polvoron at home. It usually does not have time to cool off; from the frying pan it is immediately dispensed onto funnels made from bond paper and distributed to us eager kids. To indulge, we simply pry open the narrow end, tilt it onto our mouth, and tap gently to let loose the powdery stuff. Ah, the stuff of fun childhood!

Mixed Veggies Magic

It's the small clump of colorful, chopped vegetables sitting beside the pork chop you ordered in the restaurant. Buttered vegetables are great to munch on and are - should I say it? - nutritious too! gasp!

But you don't have to go to a restaurant or eat out just to have your mixed veggies fix. You can easily have some at home. Better yet, you can even do a lot more with it than just plain veggies. Too busy with work or, erm, Facebook to chop up veggies? Buy it pre-packed from your favorite shop! Here are other ways you can maximize your cache of mixed veggies.

Adobong pusit (Squid adobo)

There are various preparations that can be done with squid. The simplest one is grilled over an open fire (We did this at the beach back in high school. Freshly-caught squid! This was where I also learned how to remove the beak and the plastic-like thing - the cartilage - on its back).

The tricky part with squid is, no matter what method of cooking you do with it, make sure that you do not overcook it as it becomes rubbery. I rather like the smaller squid, though, as big ones are more prone to this.

Minatamis na saging

We actually brought the turon to a Filipino birthday party last weekend which called for "bringing a plate" (which means bring a food item here in New Zealand). Many of the guests did not know it came from us, so while I was doing my rounds on the food table, I heard some diners say delightedly, "uy turon!" "paminsan-minsan lang yan!"

It was one of the food items that was promptly gobbled up. We're so happy!

Well, we still have some cooking bananas left (it's called banana plantain at New World) so we decided to cook up some minatamis na saging (sweetened bananas). Another very simple recipe and yet it's a truly delightful thing to have on the table. You can have it as panghimagas (dessert) or eat it as anytime. The slices can also be cubed further and added to a Filipino summer delight: the halo-halo.