Filipino Breakfast

Modern and traditional Filipino breakfast have little distinction. Filipino breakfast just evolved in how fast foods can be cooked and eaten. There are still some Filipinos prefer the traditional breakfast. For those who prefer bread in their meal, pandesal is still number one combined with coffee or the popular kapeng barako if available. If you are Filipino, you certainly know that most people would soak in their pandesal in coffee before eating it.

Some Filipinos want to eat rice. The reason why they still choose rice is because they want to have full energy in the first half of the day. Sinangag or garlic fried rice combined with egg and different meat is popular in the almost all parts of the country. There’s what they call Tapsilog (TApa, SInangag and itLOG), Longsilog (longanisa or Filipino sausage), Tosilog (Tocino) to name a few. It is usually readily available in the near carinderia (mini-restaurant). Sometimes the establishment is called tapsihan or tapsilogan.

There are some seasonal breakfast serving. During rainy season, Tuyo (dried fish) combined with tomatoes are popular. Popularity of this kind of servings rises when the season is very cold. The reason why this is popular is not really known or certain. People just love eating it during the wet season. Among kids, champorado is popular. Champorado is a sweet chocolate rice porridge. Champorado is being served hot and it is absolutely more delicious when it is eaten hot. Because of this, champorado is alo popular during rainy season.

Another rice porridge popular in the Philippines and its neighboring countries is Lugaw. Lugaw is a Filipino term for congee. It can be served alone or served with other side dishes such as meat, egg and diced tofu. Although it is usually served during breakfast, it is also popular during cold rainy days.

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Simple things we need to know about Sugar

 Sugar is a crystalline-like substance that we add in our foods or drinks. Sugar has many form and has many names. What we usually see as sugar is called sucrose which came from sugar cane.  Sugar is found almost in all foods that we consume everyday. We usually think of cakes, ice creams, cookies and other sweet food when talk about sugars. Fruits and vegetables too are the other sources of sugar.

Sugar is a significant source of carbohydrate, the body's principal energy source. Source of carbohydrates include sugars, starches, cellulose, and other compounds. A necessary nutrient, carbohydrates are the body's key source of both fast and continual energy. Carbohydrates have four calories of energy per gram of weight. As an example, one teaspoon of sugar has 15 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrate.

One of the important commentaries about sugar is that it supplies empty calories to our body. It means that there are no nutrients found such as fibers, protein or minerals. When we eat more sugar calories than what we burn for energy, the excess sugar calories are converted into fats.

There is slight distinction in how our bodies utilize any form of sugar. Some people think honey or raw sugar is better because it has some vitamins in it but these forms of sugar are not any better compared to sugar. The quantity of vitamins they contain is of little significance.

Sugar is said to be the cause of so many health problems to people of all ages. Although there’s no factual evidence that sugar causes hyperactivity. However, sugar is known to contribute to many dental problem and obesity when eaten excessively or consuming it without using.

If you have hypoglycemia or diabetes, you have to be careful in consuming foods with sugar. Hypoglycemia is an abnormal low level of blood glucose. A lack of insulin or the failure of the cells in the body to take action to insulin causes diabetes. This would certainly causes high blood sugar in the blood.

You have to watch your sugar level even if you do not have any diseases related to sugar. Always check the labels of whatever you eat. You may check books or simply open your laptop and see some information in the internet. It won’t take hours of reading.

Cake Pictures from Yummy Cakes blog

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Beer Belly

You have heard a lot about beer and the effects of drinking too much of it. One of the effects that you have been hearing is the "Beer Belly". Have you heard about it? What you have heard about beer belly? 

Some would say that beer belly is caused by drinking too much beer or drinking regularly. People say that when men and women have big bellies, they might assume that they are heavy drinkers of beer.

If you are one of those people who have same conclusion then you are one of them who have wrong premises therefore arriving at the wrong conclusion.

Drinking beer is not the sole reason for getting big waist size. There's a big probability that you have met people with big stomach and yet they are not drinking beers nor have even tasted it in their entire life.

Having big tummy is called abdominal obesity. Abdominal obesity, popularly known as belly fat, is the accumulation of abdominal fat resulting in an increase in waist size. (Wikipedia)

There are few questions listed below why there's such thing as beer belly. Here's some of it and the answer.

Why the term Beer Belly was coined?

Everytime we eat, we consume calories. Beer is rich in calories. If drinkers take too much of it then there's a likelihood that beer drinker will have fat bellies.

What are the other reasons why people are getting fat stomach?

Net energy imbalance is the explanation why we have large bellies. This is the imbalance of energy usage of our body and calorie consumption. Calories will be converted into energy if used. As we already know, calorie came from whatever we eat. You will definitely have big belly if you are consuming too much food and won’t use it.

How can we avoid getting beer belly? 

There are two simple things you should remember - balance lifestyle and eating properly. Eating too much is not good. Being slothful too will not just make you plump, it will make you worthless in life.

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The Benefits of Eating Guyabano

Guyabano or Soursoup is known for it is the fruit that has the most delectable flavor and the front liner on delicious fruits on earth for some. It originated from Tropical America and today it is known throughout the globe. This fruit is usually picked before it ripens and fall. It is a favorite dessert but it should be eaten in moderation.

          Guyabano is one of the fruits which may seem not delicious on the outside but when you eat its juicy, luscious flesh, your tastebuds will surely ask for more on its alluring combination of strawberry and pineapple with sour citrus notes contrasting with the rich flavor of coconut or banana. Its juice is one of the most favorite drinks of all time considering its taste and its nutrients. No wonder it is number one on the list of delicious fruits.

Other benefits of fruits are for healing aspects. Guyabano has proven its worth on medical aspect as well. It is used in treating illness concerning stomach ailments, deworming, vomiting, treating head lice and bed bugs could be healed by this fruit. Meanwhile its juice is indeed an effective remedy for urethritis, haematuria, leprosy, eczema, skin problems, rheumatism and liver ailments.

Other benefits of fruits that are found on guyabano are: prevention from UTI, pregnancy complications, constipation, leg cramps, and water retention; helps body to produce energy; keeping bones healthy; boost cholesterol levels; helps prevent anemia and migraine. There are some cases wherein it is believed to cure cancer as well. But upto this date, studies are still made to prove this claim.

In restaurants, guyabanos are usually served as fresh cut-sized fruit. Some reinvention of the fruit was done through making it into cakes, ice creams, beverages, sauces and a replacement for garnishes. Guyabanos are fermented as well to become wine. Young guyabanos served as a vegetable mixing it with different Filipino and Chinese cuisines.

Nutritional facts for guyabano are as follows:

Vitamin C: 20.6

Calcium: 14

Iron: 0.6

Calories: 66

Dietary Fiber: 3.3g

Protein: 1g

Sodium: 14mg.

Sugars: 13.54g

Carbohydrates: 16.84g

Fat: 0.3g

Saturated Fat: .05

Monounsaturated fat: .09 g.

Polyunsaturated fat: .06g.

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Hempanada in Letran

Colegio de San Juan de Letran just celebrated its 391st Foundation last week (November 23-26, 2011) and one of the activities during the weeklong celebration was Negosyo Letranista 2011. The event was intended for students (who are actually required) who are to sell their products inside the campus for one week.

One of the participating groups of the said event was the Hempanada. This is the group who sold delicious empanada during the event. The Hempanada group is composed of four Hospitality Management seniors – Celine Gari Praise Espardiñez (General Manager), Maria Criselga Dela Merced (Operations Manager),  Ivy Mae Pamplona (Marketing Manager) and  Mary Grace Galvez (Financial Manager).

The whole week was so tiring for them but fulfilling and full of fun. The Hempanada group General Manager said, “It was tiring but fun. Masaya na kami na nakikita na ineenjoy ng customers yung product namin and nirerecommen pa nila sa iba.” (It was tiring but fun. We are happy seeing our customers enjoy eating our product and recommend it also to other)

Celine posing infront of their stall

Hempanada's crews

Hempanada, Tofu with Bean sprout

These are the four varieties of Hempanada

Criselga, the Operations Manager

View from not so far

Posing and showing off their pins.

Customers are enjoying their products

If you have missed out this event and you want to taste this delicious and healthy Hempanada's version of Empanada, you may like or follow their Hempanada Facebook Page to inquire where to avail these delicious varieties of empanada.

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Tom Colicchio

Name: Thomas Patrick "Tom" Colicchio

Nationality: American-Italian

Birthday:  August 15, 1962

Cooking Style/Specialty: European, Asian and American

A celebrity chef from New York, Chef Tom is a fusion of Italian and American who grew up in the United States. He currently owned the Craft Restaurant in New York.

Just like any other chef, Chef Tom had already published three cookbooks. As celebrity chef, he appeared in Top Chef, a reality culinary competition in the United States.

He has already won five James Beard Foundation medals for having contribution in the world of cookery.

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Carme Ruscalleda

Name: Carme Ruscalleda i Serra

Nationality:

Birthyear: 1952

Cooking Style/Specialty: Catalan

She is the highest achieving female in terms of rating as a chef being a five starred in Michelin. She has been in the food industry since she was a teenager having raised in farms and learned cooking. 

Chef Carme Ruscalleda specializes Catalan cuisine but she has introduced many delicious dishes from infusion of different cuisines. She has now published food recipe books and has restaurant in Japan. 

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Yannick Alléno

Name: Yannick Alléno

Nationality: French

Birthday: December 16, 1968

Cooking Style/Specialty: French, European and Asian

School:  Lycée Santos-Dumont de Saint-Cloud

He is the  Head Chef of Le Meurice and owner of Groupe Yannick Alléno, which aims to disseminate concepts and luxury products internationally.

He is now considered as one of the greatest chefs in the world since he achieved 3 stars rating from Michelin. He is a well traveled chef that is why he can be an all around chef having knowledge of different European and Asian cuisines.

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The Benefits of Eating Durian

Durian or most likely called the “King of all fruits” due to its relatively large size is definitely the most notable fruit in Davao. Another plus factor for Durian, it is considered to be one of the delicious fruits in the world. This fruit is native to Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. Among its 30 species, only 9 of which are edible.  This fruit is distinctive for its unique odor and formidable thorn- covered husk but has this delicious taste that you would surely like.

Number one benefits of fruits are its nutritional content. This fruit is relatively rich in phytonutrients and has high amount of protein which make it as the first ever premium whole-fruit herbal nutritional product supplement.  It is also rich in energy, minerals and vitamins combining all nutrients coming from bananas, avocados, and jackfruit.

It has simple sugars like fructose and sucrose and just little amount of simple fats which are good to eat especially for underweight children. This fruit replenishes energy and revitalizes the body just right after you ate it.

 

Its dietary fiber content is excellent in protecting colon mucous membrane against chemicals and cancer cells. It also helps develop resistance against infectious agents and harmful radicals.

Other miraculous benefits of fruits could be found in durian. It serves as an aid for epilepsy because of its amino acid content of tryptophan which serves us our natural sleeping pill. It could help as well on: the beautification and moisturizing of the skin; regulation of blood sugar level; promotes healthy pregnancy; relaxation of muscles and nerves; maintaining healthy bones; and helps curing migraine.

The nutritional facts for durian fruit are as follows: Energy, Carbohydrates, Protein, Dietary Fiber, Folates, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and series of electrolytes, minerals and phytonutrients.

Durian fruits are simply known to be one of the delicious fruits in Davao, so there is no wonder that this fruit are used in different delicacies. This fruit are used on flavoring as well. It is being made as candies, ice kachang, dodol, rose biscuits, ice creams, milkshakes, Yule logs and ingredient for cappuccino. Unripe durians are cooked as a vegetable in variety of dishes only proving durian fruit are truly has lots of variations.

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Gordon Ramsay

Name: Gordon James Ramsay

Nationality:British

Birthday:November 8, 1966

Cooking Style/Specialty: French/Italian/British

School: North Oxfordshire Technical College

A foul mouthed Scottish Chef who has starred in Hell's Kitchen, Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon's Great Escape to name a few. He also made five films and had many notable television appearance. 


Having many accomplishments and media exposures, he became one of the famous celebrity chef in the world.

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Thomas Keller

Name: Thomas Keller

Nationality: American

Birthday: October 14, 1955

Cooking Style/Specialty:French

School: Apprenticeship

He is a popular chef from California and owner of The French Laundry which is located in the Yountville, California. His restaurant had received many awards which include Best Restaurant in the Worl in 2003 and 2004. It has awarded three stars by Michelin Guide.

Chef Thomas Keller had engaged in both publishing and fil, He published The French Laundry Cookbook. He also conceptualized some part of the film Spanglish by Adam Sandler.

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Emeril Lagasse

Name: Emeril Lagasse

Nationality: American

Birthday: October 15, 1959

Cooking Style/Specialty: Cajun, Portuguese, Creole, and French

School: Johnson & Wales University

Chef Emeril Lagasse became famous in the world of culinary when he became executive chef of Commander's Palace. After leaving, he established his own restaurant thus becoming restaurant of the year in Esquire magazine.

He has various television shows and film appearances. He has hosted his own food show, The Essence of Emeril.

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Ferran Adria

Name: Ferran Adrià

Nationality: Spanish

Birthday: May 14, 1962

Cooking Style/Specialty:Culinary Foam, Molecular Gastronomy

School: None

He has humble beginning as a dishwasher. Now he is one of the greatest chef in the world. He brought the restaurant El Bulli to number one restaurant in the world.

He has been very controversial because of his experimented dishes. He was accused of slowly poisoning his customers rather than fulfilling their satisfaction and considering their health.

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David Chang

Name: David Chang

Nationality: Korean-American

Birthday:August 5, 1977

Cooking Style/Specialty:New American

School: French Culinary Institute

David Chang is a popular New York Chef because of his different restaurants.

He is the owner of a restaurant group which include Momofuku Noodle bar, Momofuku Ssam Bar, Ma Peche, Milk Bar and Momofuku. All of the restuarants are in New York.

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Karlos Arguiñano

Name: Karlos Arguiñano Urkiola

Nationality: Spanish

Birthday: September 6, 1948

Cooking Style/Specialty:New Basque cuisine

School: Escuela de Hostelería del Hotel Euromar

Karlos Arguiñano is a celebrity chef from Spain. He has various TV shows in Spain and in Argentina. He specializes the New Basque Cuisine.

Chef Karlos Arguiñano also appeared in some films in Spain.

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Wolfgang Puck

Name: Wolfgang Johannes  Puck

Nationality: Austrian-American

Birthday: July 8, 1949

Specialty/Cooking Style: California, French, and Fusion

School: Apprenticeship Only

Wolfgang Puck was born to Maria Worth and to a butcher father. He was born with a surname Topfschnig but later became Puck since his mother married Josef Puck.

He learned about cooking because of his exposure in his mother's work. He was trained by different chefs in Monaco before moving to United States.

He is now considered as one of the Greatest Chefs in the World. He has numerous TV shows in the United States.

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Bobby Flay

Name: Robert William "Bobby" Flay

Nationality: American

Birthday: December 10, 1964

Specialty/Cooking Style: Mexican and Southwest

School: French Culinary Institute

Bobby Flay was a high school dropped and worked for a restaurant where his father is a partner. He then went to the French Culinary Institute and member of the pioneering graduates in 1984. 

He joined in Iron Chef America where he gained his fame as a chef. Currently he owned 12 restaurants in New York, Las Vegas and in the Bahamas.

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How to cut a Whole Chicken

This is a video showing how to cut the whole chicken into 8 pieces. It is important to learn the right way of cutting a whole chicken for less wastage and for better appearance.

Reminder: do not throw the bones and the other parts that is not needed. You can use it to make a stock.

Thank you fordummies for posting this video.

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Something You Need To Know About Duhat

Duhat or Jambolan is one of the rarest fruit eaten here in the Philippines yet considered as one of the delicious fruits. It is native in Burma, Ceylon, India and the Andaman Islands which lately spread throughout Asia. This fruit is usually found near Hindu temples because Krishna considers it sacred. This fruit mostly grow on wet places or regions having heavy rainfall. In Philippines, Duhat trees are found on riverbanks as it can withstand prolonged flooding.

This fruit has a sweet or subacid flavor and a minimum of astringency. Its taste could be improved by soaking them into saltwater or putting some little amount of salt.  It can be eaten raw but it is popularly made into tarts, sauces and jam. Its juice is a favorite by most people as well, proving it is truly one of the delicious fruits in the world.

In the Philippines, duhats are an important source of wine, distilled liquors, brandy and "jambava". It can be vinegar as well due to its acid contents which is extensively done in India and being adopted in some provinces in the Philippines. Its vinegar results are usually attractive, having clear purple color with pleasant aroma and mild flavor.

Other benefits of fruits could be found in Duhat. This fruit can be medicinal or a healing fruit as called by others. It could be used for people experiencing dysentery, diarrhea and diabetes. That is why eating duhat should be part of our monthly meal. We should just reassure ourselves it will be eaten in moderation.

Major benefits of fruits are vitamins and minerals. Nutritional facts of Duhat fruit are as follows:

Moisture	83.7-85.8 g
Protein	0.7-0.129 g
Fat	0.15-0.3 g
Crude Fiber	0.3-0.9 g
Carbohydrates	14.0 g
Ash	0.32-0.4g
Calcium	8.3-15 mg
Magnesium	35 mg
Phosphorus	15-16.2 mg
Iron	1.2-1.62 mg
Sodium	26.2 mg
Potassium	55 mg
Copper	0.23 mg
Sulfur	13 mg
Chlorine	8 mg
Vitamin A	80 I.U.

Other parts of this tree have different uses: its nectar for honeys; leaves served as food for silkworms and fodder for livestock; shoots for cleaning the teeth; natural oil from leaves as perfumes and scented soaps; bark for tanning leather and used in preserving fishing nets; and wood for fuel and cabinetwork.

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The Delicious Chico

Chico or Sapodilla is one of the less noticeable fruit in the country yet still one of the most delicious fruits.  It is usually one of the main ingredients on making wine. This fruit originated from Mexico and the West Indies and now, widely spread throughout Southeast Asia such as in India, Thailand and Philippines.

This fruit is preferred by most adults because of its sweetness, malt like flavor soft flesh. Chico is not just known to be one of the delicious fruits in the world but it is considered as well as an “energy fruit” due to excessive amount of sugar; that is why it is advisable for those who have diabetes to avoid this fruit. It could trigger the blood sugar level quickly which could lead to riskier events.

Chico contains Vitamin A, B complex, C, and minerals like; Iron, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Selenium, copper and Zinc. These Vitamins and Minerals are essential benefits of fruits found in Chico.

This fruit is usually converted into different types of wine, some fruit beverages, bread spreads and even in making cakes and ice creams. It is being patronized by adults because of its high nutritional value. This has just proven some of the benefits of fruits found in Chico.

 It is a help for those who are suffering from diarrhea as well. It could be in a juice form by simply squeezing it or by boiling its juice for more effectiveness. In drug dysentery, it could be a help as well by simply eating this fruit, putting some salt to equalize the taste.

Other basic facts for Chico are as follows:

Moisture ranged from 69.0 to 75.7%;

Ascorbic acid from 8.9 to 41.4 mg/100 g;

Total acid, 0.09 to 0.15%; pH, 5.0 to 5.3;

Total soluble solids, 17.4º to 23.7º Brix;

Glucose ranged from 5.84 to 9.23%

Fructose, 4.47 to 7.13%,

Sucrose, 1.48 to 8.75%,

Total sugars, 11.14 to 20.43%

Starch, 2.98 to 6.40%.

Tannin, 3.16 to 6.45%.

Other parts of this tree could be used as well for other purposes such as: bark of the tree for manufacturing of chewing gum and medicine for lowering body temperature; seeds known medicine for mild laxative and diuretic; and decorated bark known medicine for fever and good source of wood for manufacturing furniture.

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What You Need To Know About Avocado

Avocado is a popular fruit and is considered as one of the delicious fruits around the globe. All year round, this fruit is available in every supermarket. This fruit originated in Mexico and Central America but to this day everyone can plant this fruit due to its adaptable feature. It is considered as well as one of the most loved fruit because of its delicious taste.

This fruit is believed to be high in fat content which people would definitely think bad for their health but in reality avocados have been shown to have good cholesterol called oleic acid which is good for our cardiovascular system. Having this kind of acid is one of the good benefits of fruits. It is as well low in calories which makes it okay to eat for those who are having intensive diet. Studies have shown that its high fat content helps in human weight control.

Avocado is for all ages. Even infants could enjoy eating this fruit. It has low sodium and believed to be an ideal fruit for infants. It provides them with more Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Niacin, Folacin, Potassium and Magnesium completing an infants’ daily dose of vitamins and minerals needed in a day.

This fruit has been called “the veritable fruit of paradise” because of its healing power that gradually becomes widely recognized. It is excellent for people having heart diseases, eye problems, stroke problems, obesity, and cancer such as prostate, oral, breast.

Avocados are used for beauty regimes as well. It contains glutathione, an important antioxidant which is important in preventing aging. It has Vitamin E powerhouse that protects against many diseases, maintains overall health and makes our skin a lot smoother, fairer and beautiful.

This fruit also serves as hors d’oeuvre, soup, salad, dip, sandwich spread, garnish, half- shell spoon-out, entrée, dessert, or beverage with various kinds of use in each category.

The benefits of fruits like avocado don’t end yet on giving us a healthy body. This could be use as soap, facial mask, moisturizer, exfoliating scrub and conditioner as well proving this fruit has many variations even in improving ones’ beauty regimes. Its vitamin content is really good for the skin and for the hair, making it glow and healthy plus it doesn’t contain chemical additives which leads to the full beauty development of skin and hair.

Avocado has rich supply of minerals and vitamins. Some of them are: Vitamin B12, Calcium, Zinc, Phosphorous, Riboflavin, Folate, Thiamine, Vitamin E, Glutathione Complex, Potassium, Copper, Pantothenic Acid, and Pyridoxine which makes this fruit remarkably tasty and one of the most delicious fruits you could have been eaten.

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