BE A VORACIOUS FOR VEGGIES (Ginataang- Sitaw at kalabasa)

SQUASH AND STRING BEANS IN COCONUT MILK 

( Ginataang kalabasa at sitaw)                 
                   

        This is one of my favorite vegetable dishes. The combination of coconut milk and squash make me eat more rice every time I eat. I want the vegetables to be fully cooked and the sauce to be creamy as well. This version has Beef slices and dried dilis which make it tastier.
          I remember when I was a child, I always request to my mother to cook me "Ginataang sitaw at kalabasa". I am so happy that time because she always follow what I want to eat especially if the dish I requested is healthy. As what I've learned in our T.l.E Caregiving class, "Be a voracious for veggies" for vegetables are very healthy and rich in Vitamins and minerals. 
                    I'd like to share my Mom's Recipes.Hope you will use this recipe if you have a free time in cooking to know more about that this dish is so healthy.

Here's the Ingredients.

• - string beans

• - squash cut into cubes

• - 6 tbsp coconut powder

• - 2 cups water

• - beee=f slices

• - dried dilis

• - garlic powder, onion, ginger

• - 1 tbsp fish sauce

Procedure:

1. - dissolve coconut powder in water, set aside

1. - in a pan, sauté onion and ginger

1. - add pork slices together with fish sauce, and cook until semi brown

1. - pour the coconut water mixture

1. - add the squash and cook until half cooked

1. - add the string beans and dried dilis, cook for about 5 minutes

1. - remove from heat, serve and enjoy!

What are the BENEFITS OF THIS DISH?Let's find the healthy benefits of this!

WHAT IS SQUASH GOOD FOR?

• Squash is one of the most versatile and delicious vegetables available throughout the world, and it also packs a serious punch in terms of healthy, medicinal benefits. Different varieties of squash have the ability to improve the quality of your sight, boost skin health, strengthen the immune system, prevent cancer, manage symptoms of diabetes, build strong bones, protect heart health, reduce symptoms of insomnia, prevent inflammatory conditions, treat arthritis, eliminate ulcers, eliminate parasites and infections, increase prostate health, protects against birth defects, boosts respiratory health, and reduces blood pressure.

Let’s explore how these components impact human health, and what benefits can be enjoyed by adding squash to our diet.
The impressive health benefits of squash are derived from the organic compounds, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that they contain. This list includes a huge amount of vitamin A, as well as significant amounts of vitamins C, E, B6, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, and folate. In terms of minerals, squash contain magnesium, potassium, manganese, copper, phosphorous, calcium, and iron. They are also a very good source of carotenoids and other important anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds.

  
WHAT IS STRING BEANS GOOD FOR?

• Sitaw also known as green beans are one of the only few varieties of beans that are eaten fresh. 

• An alkaline vegetable; it is therefore beneficial for people who are acidic.

• Offer cardiovascular protection. The antioxidant in this vegetable helps to prevent cholesterol from becoming oxidized. Oxidized cholesterol is able to stick to and build up in blood vessel walls, where it can cause blocked arteries, heart attack or stroke.

• Help lower high blood pressure.

• Help prevent weakening of the bone.

• Green Beans fiber can help promote a healthy colon because of its ability to bind to cancer-causing toxins, removing them from the body before they can harm colon cells.

• Help prevent DNA damage.

• Have strong anti-inflammatory effects which make it effective in diseases where inflammation takes place, such as arthritis and asthma.

• Helpful for menstruating women and for people who are at risk of iron deficiency.

• An energy food.

• A diet food because it contains few calories.

• Beneficial for lactating women because it help increase the nutrient in breastmilk.

COCONUT MILK
With its creamy texture and slight natural sweetness, coconut milk might taste like something that should be bad for you, yet it’s anything but. Coconut milk is often considered a “miracle liquid” since coconut milk nutrition offers great ability to build up the body’s immune defenses and prevent disease. Coconut milk, along with it’s relativescoconut oil and coconut water are among the world’s healthiest foods.
in addition to providing nutrients and its awesome taste, coconut milk contains beneficial fat called lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that’s easily absorbed and used by the body for energy. Coconuts’ fatty acids are primarily saturated fats, but don’t think these will raise yourcholesterol levels and cause heart damage. Instead, they’re known to actually do the opposite — coconut milk can help you lower cholesterol levels, improve blood pressure, and prevent heart attacks or a stroke.


HOW ABOUT THE BEEF?

It is also very important to remember the numerous benefits that beef provides to human nutrition.

As a nutrient dense red meat, beef contains a number of nutrients that are critical to the development and maintenance of key functions in the human body. In fact, several of these nutrients are not found in any other type of food in the abundance and correct proportion that human physiology demands.

Beef is a very good source of iron, with perhaps the highest concentration of iron than any other commonly consumed meat.

Additionally, the iron in beef is more biologically available than iron from other sources.

Now you know that this dish is very healthy. It will help you to improve digestibilty. It alters flavor that makes the whole dish tastier. It also harden cellulose and improve your health.

What are you waiting for? Follow my Mom's recipe!

Let's find out more in my next blog for my Mom's best Dishes!!!!!

Hope you like this! SEE YOU!!!!

PINAKBET- A tasty vegetable dish (one of my Mom's best dishes)



            Hello again! Welcome to my another updated blog :)Tonight I am sharing another recipe of my mom's favorite dish,pinakbet. Pinakbet is a tasty vegetable dish made-up of different fresh vegetables, pork, and shrimp paste. This Pinakbet Recipe is a variation of the popular Tagalog version of this dish. Actually the original recipe was from Punlaan School where my Mom had graduated. This Pinakbet recipe is comprised of different vegetables such as eggplant (talong), squash (kalabasa), sting beans (sitaw), ampalaya (bitter melon), okra, and others. Since there are quite a number of ingredients required, I usually carry a shopping list and buy the freshest produce from a nearby market on the day that I’ll cook them. When it comes to the Shrimp paste, I always buy an extra bottle from the Puregoldso that I wont run out of stock. Before I forget…have that rice cooker going because you might need some extra rice. Oh…one more thing. Have a cold soda (soft drinks) on your side or some cold juice to get rid of that shrimpy taste after you’re done. You will surely love this Pinakbet recipe. Happy cooking!

Try this Pinakbet Recipe recipe and let me know what you think!

Pinakbet Recipe

•  Prep time15 mins 
• Cook time  45 mins

• ¼ lb pork, thinly sliced
• 1 large egg plant, sliced
• 1 medium-sized bitter melon, chopped
• ¼ lb squash, chopped into 2x1 inch cubes
• 3 pieces large tomato, sliced
• 1 piece onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 6 to 8 pieces okra
• 1 bunch string beans, cut in 3 inches length
• 4 tbsp shrimp paste
• 1 cup water
• 3 tbsp cooking oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the pan and put the cooking oil.
2. When oil is hot enough, saute the garlic, ginger, onion, and tomato
3. Add the pork and cook until color turns light brown (about 5 to 8 minutes)
4. Put-in the shrimp paste and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Add water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until pork is tender
6. Put-in the squash and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until texture becomes soft
7. Add the remaining vegetables and mix with the other ingredients.Simmer for 5 minutes or until all the vegetables are cooked. (Do not overcook the vegetables)
8. Serve hot with steamed white rice. Share and Enjoy!

EATING TO PREVENT DISEASES!

Eating Vegetables Provides Health Benefits. The nutrients in vegetables are vital for health and maintenance of your body. Eating a diet rich invegetables may reduce risk for stroke, cancer, heart diseases and type-2 diabetes.

People who eat  vegetables as part of their daily diet have a reduced risk of many chronic diseases. Vegetables are important part of healthy eating and provide a source of many nutrients, including potassium, fiber, folate (folic acid) and vitamins A, E and C.

Potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Dietary fiber from vegetables helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. Folate (folic acid) helps the body form healthy red blood cells. 

Eating Vegetables Provides Health Benefits

• The nutrients in vegetables are vital for health and maintenance of your body.
• Eating a diet rich in vegetables may reduce risk for stroke, cancer, heart diseases and type-2 diabetes.
• One to four cups of vegetables are recommended each day, depending on how many calories you need. To find out how many vegetables you need to eat, use the Healthy Eating Planner.

  Now you know that eating Vegetables as part of your daily life improve your health and also your living lifestyle. Not only about the physical body will improvebut also your looks.As what I believe "YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT".

THAI BAGOONG RICE--A SALTY BUT A SWEET ONE

THAI BAGOONG RICE--HOMEMADE DISH 

    Welcome to my blogsite again!  I hope you will find this Bagoong Rice recipe handy if you want to try something different for your everyday meal. This is a popular dish in Asia specifically Thailand. It was introduced to the Philippines and was adapted to our taste especially to the Filipino. To describe this dish, it is a combination of all the flavor infused in one meal. It is salty, sweet,spicy and sour. So how does it taste? Flavorful! The bagoong or the shrimp paste gives that salty flavor, the chili makes it spicy while the green mango gives that sour kick. The brown sugar adds sweetness.

Well, I hope everyone is a having a good day. I thought I start sharing my mom’s recipe and here is the third one.

Ingredients:

3-4 cups cooked rice, grains separated
2 T oil
½ cup shrimp paste (alamang)
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
Chicken breast , thinly sliced
Scallions or spring onions, chopped
1-2 red chillies, chopped
Coriander or Thai basil, optional
2-3 eggs, scrambled and sliced
2 green mangoes sliced thinly

Instructions:

(1) In a large wok or sautee pan, heat oil and sautee garlic and onions.
(2) Add shrimp paste, chillies and meat.
(3) Add a bit of water to cook the meat until done.
(4) Add rice and stir fry until heated through.
(5) Add ¾ of the spring onions and if using, coriander and/or basil.
(6) Stir fry for 2 more mins.

Serve with scrambled eggs and sliced green mangoes, top with remaining spring onions.

Enjoy!

     Bagoong Rice is a type of fried rice dish that makes use of shrimp paste or bagoong. This original version of this dish is from Thailand. Since we love bagoong, my mom made a real quick and easy version of the recipe that everyone can enjoy.

Making your own bagong rice can be hassle free as long as you have all the ingredients. You can use commercially bottled shrimp paste that are already cooked, or you can cook your shrimp paste by following our bagoong recipe.

After everything is done, it will seem like you are enjoying bagoong rice and roasted chicken at the same time. What makes this dish more exciting are the chopped green mangoes on top of the rice. Try this Bagoong Rice Recipe. Let me know what you think.

This is our Home-made Thai bagoong rice may taste a little different because of the herbs and spices we used for our version of this recipe. If you can find authentic Thai bagoong and other spices, do use them when you cook your favorite dishes at home.

The only benefits of it, if you like them, is that they taste good with how ever you use them for. Too much of it can cause high blood pressure or kidney stones or gout - but I don't think you should worry about it, unless you eat about one bottle a week or something.

Thai Bagoong rice has a lot of healthy benefits like vitamins and nutrients that help the body feel fuller. Also, the fibrous fruit boosts the digestive function of the body by burning additional calories, helping in weight loss.

For more information call us on 091046100 or 09108131624 or email me on my Email account Emerline_belga@yahoo.com or leave a message on my Fbaccount Belgalynjoy@facebook.com

Dainty Spaghetti!- Hmmm Yummy

DAINTY SPAGHETTI!-Hmmm Yummy.

 Hello! Here's the update of my Blog-My Mom's Best Dishes

     Pinoy Spaghetti is the Filipino version of the ever popular pasta that is of Italian origin. This version of Spaghetti requires the use of sugar, hotdogs, and banana ketchup. It might some peculiar to some but these ingredients brings up a whole new flavor that is totally Filipino.Being loved mostly by the young ones, every birthday party won’t be complete without this dish-spaghetti.

       At young age, my mom teaches me how to cook Spaghetti.She even told me her secret recipe about it.Spaghetti is one of my favorite dishes. My party won't be completed without it. It's one who completed my happiness. I would like to share here some health benefits of our home made spaghetti. My mom learned this from Punlaan School but this one is really unique. She add some recipe in making "Delicious Spaghetti". Putting a Nestle Cream in the sauce of spaghetti make the taste very good and dainty.

• Preparation: 15 minutes 
• Cooking time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• ·         2 lbs Spaghetti
• ·         1 big pack of Filipino Style tomato sauce
• ·         ½ cup Tomato Paste
• ·         1 tsp Garlic
• ·         1 ½ lbs Ground Meat ( beef)
• ·         4 pcs Hotdogs, sliced
• ·         Brown Sugar
• ·         1 medium sized Onion,
• ·         Cheddar Cheese
• ·         2 tbsp Salt
• ·         1 liter water
• ·         4 tbsp Cooking Oil and Nestle Cream

Instructions

1.    In a large pot, pour the water in and bring to a boil

2.    Put-in the salt and oil

3.    Add the Spaghetti Noodles and cook until tender then set aside

4.    Using a separate pan, saute the garlic and onions

5.    Put-in the round meat and let cook for 5 minutes

6.    Add the hotdogs and cook for 2 minutes 

7.    Put-in the tomato sauce, banana catsup, tomato paste, and brown sugar then simmer for 15 to 20 minutes then put the Nestle cream .Mix it.

8.    Place the sauce on top of the cooked noodles and add some cheese

9.    Serve hot. Share and Enjoy!

 According to my reseach ,Pasta provides carbohydrate, along with some protein, iron, dietary fiber, potassium and B vitamins. Pasta prepared with whole wheat grain provides dietary fiber. We can say that Spaghetti is a healthy dish.

LOOKING FOR THE BENEFITS ?

Enjoy spaghetti as a versatile food that goes with a variety of sauces and toppings.

 

    Spaghetti is a type of pasta made from flour and water and formed into solid strings. Flour is a source of carbohydrates, the preferred fuel supply your metabolism uses for energy.It is also a dietary source of vitamins, minerals and fiber -- especially if you purchase whole grain or whole-wheat pasta.  Whole grains also contain higher levels of nutrients selenium, potassium and magnesium. Selenium helps regulate thyroid hormones and functions as an antioxidant. Potassium plays a role in fluid balance and helps maintain pH. Magnesium supports metabolism, healthy muscles, nerves, bones and the heart.Fiber plays several important roles in health including blood sugar regulation, digestion and immunity. Fiber slows the uptake of sugars, helping you keep balanced blood-sugar levels. Dietary fiber also absorbs water and adds bulk to your stools, promoting regularity. High fiber intake supports beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract that help your immune system fight infections. Fiber also makes you feel full from meals, allowing you to eat less and maintain a healthy weight.

In Spaghetti sauce it adds nutrients to your diet and may help prevent cancer. A serving of spaghetti sauce provides vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron while serving as a source of the antioxidant lycopene. 

Most everybody loves pasta and indulging in it from time to time. 

1: Helps promote healthy vision.
Pasta is rich in vitamin A, which helps to promote healthy vision.

2: Consuming pasta is also good for the skin.

It helps to promote growth of new skin cells.

3: It helps in hair growth.

Whole wheat pasta is rich in folic acid. If you suffer from hair fall problem, then increase consumption of pasta in your diet plan. Folic acid also helps reduce acne and breakouts on the skin.

4: Helps improve cardiovascular health.

As pasta is rich in potassium, it helps reduce the high cholesterol in the body, which prevents heart disease.

5: It is good for muscle health.

Consumption of pasta on a regular basis helps to prevent the problem of muscle stiffness in the body. 
It also helps to relax the muscle spasms and pains.

6: It is good for the bones .

Pasta is rich in amino acids and proteins. Proteins help to maintain the bone health. 
Intake of pasta can also help to prevent bone related pain. If you suffer from the problem of joint pains, then have pasta at least twice in a week.

 How about the flavored tomatoes in Spaghetti?

   Processed tomatoes have more lycopene that fresh tomatoes so you reap the benefits of lycopene by eating tomato juice or sauce. Lycopene has been shown to prevent many cancers such as cervical, prostrate, oral, rectal and stomach. While it is important to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to stay healthy, tomatoes are an excellent addition to you daily meal plan.

I know this time you're craving for a Spaghetti. What are you waiting for? Eat Spaghetti and follow above the recipes of My Mom's Best Dish!

For  more information call 09104610013 or 09108131624

or email me at my account Emerline_belga@yahoo.com

or Send a message in my Fb account Belgalynjoy@facebook.com

Chiken Buffalo Lasagne is my favorite comfort food.

CHICKEN BUFFALO LASAGNE

        Few things say Everyday Italian like lasagna is dedicated to this classic dish. I will share my mom’s best lasagna or lasagne. She learned cooking it from her chef teacher in Diamond Hotel. My mother was a student of Punlaan school last year because of vocational studies that’s why she share to me all about she learned from cooking.

This is my first ever blog. Hope you like it!

Lasagne is one of my favorite dishes. My mother teaches me how to make a Lasagne . Lasagne originated in Italy, traditionally ascribed to the city of Naples where the first modern recipe was created in the Middle Ages and became a traditional dish.

 Traditional lasagne is made by interleaving layers of pasta with layers of sauce .It is common to find lasagne made with ricotta or mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, various meats  like chicken or beef . miscellaneous vegetables like spinach, and mushrooms  and typically flavored with wine, garlic, onion, and oregano. In all cases the lasagne are oven-baked.

Lasagne is a popular oven-baked pasta dish of fresh egg pasta squares commonly with green spinach over the egg dough.

Chicken buffalo Lasagne  is one of my favorite comfort foods.  But with a few easy swaps, you can make your favorite lasagna recipe healthier. Lasagna actually has quite a lot going for it. It's all in how you assemble it. When developing Sausage, Mushroom & Spinach Lasagna we came up with some strategies to cut fat and calories and boost fiber in lasagna, without sacrificing flavor.

Sometimes it becomes difficult for some people to adopt healthy lifestyle for resolving their overweight problem as they have to restrain their eating habits to homemade, healthy and organic foods which is not possible for everyone. But the availability of large number of ready-to-eat frozen foods has made it possible for such people to lose their weight effectively without restricting their diet.

Lasagna recipes are considered to be the best recipes she learned from Diamond hotel  that can provide all the benefits of healthy and nutritious foods by filing up your belly quickly.

 A  Chicken Buffalo lasagna recipe can provide you all the health benefits required for boosting your metabolism of you eat it moderately otherwise it can show adverse effects.

Fat And Protein usually lasagna recipes are considered as the good source of dietary fat and protein especially when they include meat. The protein provided by lasagna is broken down by your body into amino acids which are used by your body for the maintenance of its healthy tissues,.Carbohydrates in the form of starch and sugar is the other nutrient usually found in lasagna recipes which can provide energy as a fuel your body cells necessary for their day-to-day working. Noodles in your lasagna are the main source of carbohydrates as you get 40grams of carbohydrates from a 2 ounce serving of lasagna and also our lasagna recipes also contain a group of nutrients necessary to boost up the metabolism of your body, Vitamin B, which is provided by the cheeses, tomato sauce, meat and pasta included in it. 

Even if lasagna is not considered as one of the healthy recipes but you can make it healthier by increasing its nutritional value by adding nutritious elements in them. Instead of using noodles that can increase your blood sugar level and digest rapidly, you can use noodles made of whole wheat flour in your lasagna to stabilize the sugar in your blood.

Here is the Recipe: This is chicken buffalo lasagne

·       

1.               Salt
2. ·         Cheese Filling:
3. ·         2 containers (48 ounces) ricotta cheese
4. ·         1 pound crumbled blue cheese
5. ·         Buffalo Sauce:
6.     2 jars (16 ounces) tomato sauce
7. ·         3 sticks butter, melte
8. ·         3 tablespoons brown sugar

·         1 tablespoon hot sauce

·         1 tablespoon paprika

·         1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

·         1 tablespoon vinegar

·         1 tablespoon barbeque rub seasoning

·         1 tablespoon green chile rub

·         1 pound shredded Colby and Jack cheese blend

·         4 eggs

Directions: 

•      Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. For the buffalo sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the tomato sauce, melted butter, brown sugar, hot sauce, paprika, cayenne and vinegar.
• ·         Stir to combine and add salt to taste. Set aside while prepping the rest of the ingredients.
• ·         To make the cheese filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, blue cheese crumbles, barbeque rub seasoning, green chile seasoning and eggs. Stir until well blended.
• ·         For the lasagna: Build the layers of the lasagna in a large baking pan approximately 21- by 13-inch. Start with a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the pan.
• ·         Cover with a layer of no-boil lasagna. Spoon some of the ricotta cheese mixture onto the noodles and spread it out into an even layer.
• ·         Layer on the shredded chicken. Repeat layers, starting with the sauce and finish with a covering of the three-cheese mix. You should get two layers.
• ·         The last or top layer should be a layer of noodles, then sauce and the shredded cheese. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let rest for 10 minutes. Slice and serve immediately.

        Hope you like my blog . This is my mother’s recipe learned from Punlaan School. This is very delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I ask her to get the recipe from her bag. I am thankful to my mother for allowing me to post the recipe and also the direction here.