Simple Life Matters

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 81 / Feb. 24- PECAN PANCAKES WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS. Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted 1/3 cup chocolate chips 1 tsp. granulated sugar  1 tsp. brown sugar ½ tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. ground cinnamon ¼ tsp. baking soda 1/8 tsp. salt 1 cup milk 2 tbsp. vegetable oil  1 large egg   photo and recipe credit: idol sa kusina Procedure: 1. Stir together first 8 ingredients until well combined. 2. Whisk together milk, oil, and egg in a bowl; add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. 3. Pour ¼ cup batter for each pancake onto a hot, lightly greased pan. Cook pancakes until tops are covered with bubbles. 4. Turn and cook other sides. Serve immediately.

Catch Jollibee Garlic Bangus for only P89 pesos! Ang sarap mag-lunch sa Jollibee dahil sa dami ng choices! Try Jollibee's new Garlic Bangus for that yummy seafood goodness. Tawag na sa 8-7000 Jollibee Delivery or go to www.jollibeedelivery.com .

Watch Sarah Geronimo- Jollibee Buhay Pamilya Music Video! Jollibee's 35th Anniversary Jingle Performed by Pop star, Sarah Geronimo. For their celebration of 35th Anniverasary Jollibee made a music video to celebrate "Buhay Pamilya"

Hollywood Celebrities used Bull testicles at bird poop for beauty according to some report and as featured in Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho on February 24, 2013 episode.

Cooking ng lola Mo- Traditional Cooking Featured in Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho on February 24, 2013. "Ang nagpapasarap sa ilang mga pagkain, hindi lang daw ang rekado nito, pati na rin ang pinaglutuan nito. Sa Bicol, ang kanilang puto, niluluto at iniipit sa tabla. Samantalang mas nagiging espesyal daw ang luto sa manok sa Iloilo, kapag nilagay sa clay at ibinabaon sa lupa." Video embed only from YouTube.

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 81 / Feb. 24- PISTACCHIO CRUSTED BEEF BURGER. Ingredients: 1 kilo ground beef (70% lean 30% regular) For Pistachio Crust: 1 cup pistachios, shelled 1 cup panco bread crumbs 1 tsp. cayenne pepper salt and pepper photo and recipe credit: idol sa kusina For Side Salad: olive oil 150g cherry tomatoes, halved 2 white onion, sliced handful of parsley 2 tsp. sugar 1 lemon, zest and juice 10 burger buns ¼ cup garlic mayo Procedure: 1. Combine tomatoes, onion, chopped parsley, olive oil, juice of one lemon, salt, and pepper (to taste) in a medium bowl and toss then set aside. 2. Place pistachio in a food processor, add spices and pulse. Spread out on a plate 3. Heat a 10-12" skillet on med-high heat and drizzle with little oil. 4. Form ground beef into patties and season with salt and pepper; press into the pistachio mixture to coat 5. Cook the burger patties on both sides and remove to a paper towel to rest. 6. To assemble

Here's Idol sa kusina Recipe for Episode 81 / Feb. 24- CHICKEN SATAY. Ingredients: For Marinade: 1 cup plain yogurt 1 tsp. ginger, grated 1 tsp. garlic, minced 1 tbsp. curry powder 500g skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips 10-15 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes Vegetable oil, for grilling Fresh cilantro for garnish Procedure: 1. Combine the yogurt, ginger, garlic, and curry powder in a mixing bowl, stir to combine. Place the chicken strips in the yogurt marinade and gently toss until well coated. Cover and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour. 2. Thread the chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers working the skewer in and out of the meat. 3. Grill the chicken satays for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until nicely seared and cooked through. Serve the satays on a platter and top with cilantro; serve with peanut sauce on the side. For Peanut Sauce: Ingredients: 1 cup peanuts 1/4 cup low-so

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 81 / Feb. 24- KIAM PUNG. Ingredients: 3 tbsp. Cooking oil 5 pcs. shallots, peeled and sliced 4 cloves garlic, crushed 5 pcs. dried mushrooms soaked in hot water, sliced into strips ½ cup hibi or dried shrimp, soaked in hot water 1 kilo rice ½ kilo malagkit rice ¼ cup soy sauce 2 tsp. white sugar ½ tsp. black pepper 4 tsp. Sesame oil 1 tbsp. chicken powder ½ kilo chicken chunks, cooked as adobo 7 cups chicken stock photo and recipe credit:idolsakusina For Garnish: shallots , sliced and fried crispy Peanuts , fried in oil Green onion , chopped Procedure: 1. In a large bowl, combine regular rice and malagkit rice. Pour water to cover and soak for two hours. Cook chicken as adobo. 2. In a large wok, heat cooking oil. Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant. Add sliced mushrooms and hibi. 3. Mix in the soaked rice. Season with soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, sesame oil and chicken powder. Add the chi

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 80 / Feb. 17- SEAFOOD BISQUE. Ingredients: ½ cup finely minced red onion 150 g. butter ½ cup flour 4 cups chicken stock 1 can baby clams, with juice 150 g. shrimp, cleaned, shelled, deveined 150 g. cream dory 150 g. salmon, skinless, boneless 200 g. cooked crabmeat 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup half-and-half (½ cup cream + ½ cup milk) ½ cup dry sherry salt and pepper to taste image and recipe credit: idolsakusinafacebookpage Procedure: 1. Sauté minced shallots in butter until soft. 2. Add the flour and stir with whisk for 5 minutes on low heat, set aside. 3. Bring 4 cups of chicken stock to a boil and then add clams, crab, shrimp and whole pieces of salmon and dory. 4. Return to boil, lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes. 5. Strain the stock, reserving the seafood. Stir the shallot mixture into the stock. 6. Add the heavy cream and half and half to the stock, bring to a simmer on low heat and cook until th

Watch The Fighting Chefs Movie Trailer starring Ronnie Ricketts and Kusina Master, Chef Boy Logro on his very first starring role. Also in the casts are Hero Angeles, Vandolph, Jeffrey Santos, Joross Gamboa, Arci Munoz, John Hall and introducing Marella Rickettes

Yasmien Kurdi, Chariz Solomon, and LJ Reyes guest on Sarap Diva this Saturday, February 23, 2013 "This Saturday (February 23) on Sarap Diva , StarStruck alumni Yasmien Kurdi, Chariz Solomon and LJ Reyes will invade Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid’s kitchen. Starstruck Season 1 runner-up and new mom Yasmien will prepare Fattoush Lebanese crumble bread salad, a recipe she learned from her Lebanese grandmother. photo and text credit" GMA Network Sexy-comedienne and newly-married Chariz will show off her cooking skills as she prepares salt and pepper crab claw. Meanwhile, Regine will get a taste of LJ’s spicy chicken. Join Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid this Saturday on Sarap Diva 9:45am on GMA."

Filipinos warned against SARS Like Corona Virus by DOH after a 3rd case of infection from the corona virus in the UK has been. The Department of Health on Monday advised the public to wash their hands frequently and practice "social distancing" to avoid being infected by a new coronavirus. DOH ENHANCES REPORTING FOR NEW CORONAVIRUS. Press Release/18 February 2013: The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged member states to report cases due to the new coronavirus. Presently, 12 respiratory cases including 5 deaths were already reported from several countries like Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and the United Kingdom. The WHO also urges health authorities to correctly report it as new coronavirus and not to describe these cases as "SARS-like" so as to avoid confusion. Respiratory illness due to the new coronavirus maybe suspected in patients admitted in the intensive care unit in which severe respiratory difficulty is the primary sign or sym

Watch Josh Groban present his Sex Pills- Video! Multi-talented singer/actor Josh Groban unveiled his new line of Sex Pills on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night. According to Groban, it's the "first Groban pill clinically proven to make you more good at sex."

Here's Idol sa Kusina for Episode 80 / Feb. 17- PINK GUAVA PUNCH. Ingredients: 2 cups mango juice 1 cup orange juice 2 cups pink guava juice 1 cup apple juice 700 ml. soda water lemon or lime slices for garnish image and recipe credit: idolsakusina Procedure: 1. Combine everything in a shaker. 2. Pour over glass with ice, garnish with lemon or lime slices.

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 80 / Feb. 17- MINI SHRIMP AND TOFU BURGERS. Ingredients: 400 g. peeled and deveined shrimps 200 g. firm tofu, diced and drained 1 tbsp. sake or mirin 2 spring onions, chopped ½ tbsp.. ginger, grated 2 shiitake mushrooms, diced 2 tbsp. soy sauce ½ tsp. salt 1 tbsp. cornstarch  ½ cup bread crumbs 1 egg, beaten Oil for cooking To assemble: Sliced baguette Mayonnaise Alfalfa sprouts image and recipe credit: idolsakusina Procedure: 1. Sprinkle the shrimp with sake or mirin and set aside. 2. Combine shrimp, egg, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, tofu, ginger and cornstarch in a food processor until well blended. Add the mushroom, spring onions last and give it a quick pulse.  3. Heat up a large frying pan with a little oil. Form the mixture into small patties and fry on both sides until golden brown. 4. To assemble, top patty onto bread, put a thin layer of mayonnaise then top with alfalfa sprouts and serve.

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 80/ Feb.17- SEA BASS EN PAPILLIOTE. Ingredients: 300 g. asparagus, cut into 3-inch pieces 300 g. bell peppers (red, green and/or yellow), cut into thin strips 4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 4 (120 g.) sea bass fillets  4 sprigs fresh herbs (thyme or basil) 2 small shallot, finely chopped 2 lemon, thinly sliced 4 tbsp. dry white wine Procedure: 1. Preheat oven to 400°F.  2. Cut parchment paper into four 14-inch squares. Fold each piece of paper in half to form a crease down the middle.  3. Place 4-5 pcs. of asparagus on half the square, next top the asparagus with bell peppers; then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  4. Arrange one fillet on top of the vegetables and then season fillets with salt and pepper. Drizzle white wine over fillet.  5. Top fillet with herbs, shallots and slices of lemon.  6. Fold over paper to completely cover ingredients. 7. Seal

For all the avid fans of the Asia’s Songbird, consider Saturday as your lucky day asRegine Velasquez-Alcasid opens her doors for her very first “Ga-Reg Sale”! Regine will give out some of her prized possessions, and the proceeds will go to Kapuso Foundation. Apart from this fun Ga-Reg Sale, Regine will also exchange the yummiest recipes with her guests Camille Prats and Jolina Magdangal! Watch out for Jolina’s On-The-Go Grilled Pork Ribs and Camille’s Breaded Chicken with Mocha Sauce! And of course, Regine will show off her fruity energy drink which is well-suited for her teen kapitbahays, the boyband turned Youtube sensation,Chicser!

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 79 / Feb. 10- LYCHEE ALMOND JELLY. Ingredients: 1 cup water, divided 1 packet gelatin ¼ cup sugar 1 cup cold milk 1 tsp. almond extract 2 cans lychee with juice Procedure: 1. In a large bowl, place ¼ cup of water. Sprinkle the packet of gelatin evenly over the top. Set aside for a few minutes. 2. In a small pot, bring ¾ cup of water and sugar to a boil. Stir well, so the sugar dissolves completely. Once the water comes to a hard boil, add it to the gelatin mixture. Stir well to completely dissolve the gelatin. 3. Once dissolved, add the milk and almond extract, stirring gently. Pour the mixture into a rectangular container. Refrigerate until firm. 4. Once the jelly is set, slice into ½-inch cubes, scoop out gently and serve with lychee in a light syrup.

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 79 / Feb. 10- SCHEZHUAN PRAWN. Ingredients: ¼ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. schezhuan peppercorn 1 egg white 1 tsp cornstarch 500 g. prawns, peeled and deveined 1 spring onion, chopped 1 tbsp. garlic-ginger puree 1 tbsp. chili bean sauce  2 tbsp. ketchup  3 tbsp. chicken broth 1 ½ tbsp. Chinese rice wine or dry sherry ½ tsp. sugar 2½ cups oil image and recipe credit: idolsakusina Procedure: 1. In a bowl, stir together the egg white, salt, and cornstarch. Add the prawns, stirring until they are coated evenly with the mixture. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine the chili bean sauce and ketchup. In a separate small bowl, stir together the chicken broth, rice wine and the sugar. 3. Deep fry the prawns, until they change color. Drain on paper towels or in a colander and set aside. 4. In a wok, heat 1 tbsp. oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic-ginger puree, and spring onions. Stir for about 15 seconds, until aro

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 79 / Feb. 10- PATATIM. Ingredients: 1.2-1.5 kilo pork legs (pata front) 1 tbsp. sesame oil 2 pcs. star anise ½ cup soy sauce 2 tbsp. hoisin sauce 2 tbsp. oyster sauce 6 cups water 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup rice wine 1 tsp. black peppercorn 1 tsp. sesame oil ¼ cup slurry 5 pcs. baby bokchoy, blanched 10 shiitake mushrooms image and recipe credit: idolsakusina Procedure: 1. Place the pata in a casserole with 6 cups of water, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, pepper corns and bring to a boil. 2. Add the star anise and sesame oil, simmer for an hour, or until pork is tender. 3. Remove the pork and set aside, then add slurry to the pot. Let it simmer until sauce is glossy and thickened. 4. Blanch the bokchoy in boiling water seasoned with salt.  5. To serve, place the pork in the middle of a serving dish then serve with blanched bokchoy and lastly pour the sauce over the pork and vegetables. 6. Garni

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 79 / Feb. 10- YANG CHOW FRIED RICE. Ingredients: 5 large eggs, beaten 1 cup roast pork (asado), diced 250 g. medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and diced Shrimp Seasonings: Salt and pepper, to taste 1 tsp. cornstarch 5 tbsp. oil for stir-frying, or as needed 1 medium white onion, diced ½ cup peas 8 cups cold cooked rice yellow food coloring (optional) spring onions for garnish image and recipe credit:idolsakusina Procedure: 1. Toss shrimp with salt, pepper and cornstarch. 2. Heat the wok and add 1 tbsp. oil. When the oil is hot, add the shrimp and stir-fry until they change color. Push the shrimp up to the side and add the roast pork. Stir-fry until almost done. 3. Add the onion. Stir-fry until it begins to soften, then add the peas. Stir-fry until the peas turn bright green and remove from the pan. 4. Heat 2 tbsp. oil in the wok. Add the cooked rice, stirring to separate the grains. Add food coloring

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 78 / Feb.3- BEEF SUKIYAKI. Ingredients: 500 g thinly sliced beef 1 pack cellophane noodles, washed and drained 8 shiitake mushrooms, stems removed 1 enoki mushroom, trimmed 1 leek, washed and sliced into 2-inch lengths ½ Chinese cabbage, washed and cut into 2-inch wide pieces 1 pack soft tofu, cubed For sukiyaki sauce: 1/3 cup soy sauce 3 tbsps. sake  5 tbsps. sugar  ¾ cup water beaten eggs  spring onions  nori wrappers  image and recipe credit:idolsakusina Procedure: 1. Mix soy sauce, sake, sugar, and water to make sukiyaki sauce. Place in a pot and boil. 2. Place the rest of the ingredients into individual bowls and pour hot sukiyaki broth. Add egg if preferred. 3. Garnish with spring onions or nori wrappers.

Here's Taste Buddies Recipe- Mango Trifle .  Mango Trifle Ingredients: 10-12 pcs ladyfingers or broas 3 pcs ripe mango 2 cups whipping cream 1 cup mango sauce orjam optional: pastry cream Procedure: 1. using a melon baller, prepare mango balls 2. if using pastry cream, lighten it by mincing together half of with with half of the whipping cream 3. to assemble, place a layer of broas at the bottom of a glass, followed by the pastry cream, mango balls, repeat the process. 4. finish with whipped cream and mango sauce or jam. chill before serving.

Watch Idol sa Kusina- Chinese New Year 2013 Episode on February 10, 2013- Gong Xi Fa Cai! "KUNG HEI FAT CHOI mga KAPUSO! Wag kalimutang manood ng IDOL SA KUSINA mamayang 7:15pm sa GNTV ch. 11. Recipes natin - YANG CHOW FRIED RICE, PATATIM, SCHEZHUAN PRAWNS + LYCHEE ALMOND JELLY. Sasamahan pa tayo ng mga culinary students from ABE College Malolos Bulacan, Dr. Yanga College Bocaue, Bulacan at Asian College of St. Adeline, Q.C."

Catch Sarap Diva win a Date with Alden Richard Promo. Bela prepares her specialty, Salmon Zuchinni, while Kylie teaches her Halal recipe, Pininyahang Manok. Alden shows off his resourcefulness with his Lechon Paksiwrecipe. Meanwhile, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid shares the latest trend replacing flowers as a first date gift, the Fruiquet or Fruit bouquet. The surprises never end as one of Sarap Diva’s twitter followers wins a date with Alden. Love is truly in the air with another Saturday morning filled with good food, talk andmusic in Sarap Diva, 9:45am on GMA-7.

JR Royol named Master Chef Pinoy Edition Grand Winner! JR Royol or Romulo Lamaton Royol Jr., 29-year-old Band Vocalist from Benguet bagged the title of being the first ever grand winner of Master Chef Pinoy Edition in the grand cook-off held at SM Skydome on Saturday, February 9. JR's "Bigorot" dish got an overall average score of 96.1% from judges Kris Aquino and Richard Gomez. In second place is 40-year-old businesswoman from Bulacan Carla Marcaida. Followed by Ivory Yat, a 26 year-old practicing Nurse from Quezon City and 4th Placer Myra Santos from Muntinlupa.

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 78- Feb. 3, CHURROS WITH HOT CHOCO. Ingredients: 250 g flour pinch of salt 200 ml. water 50 g unsalted butter oil for frying ¼ cup brown sugar for dusting Equipment: piping bag with large star tip Procedure:  1. To make the churros mix, melt the butter in a pan on low heat. Add the water and bring to the boil. 2. Pour the hot liquid into a bowl containing the flour and stir well to make a smooth paste. Chill the churros mix for 15-20 mins.  3. Place the churros mix into a piping bag with a large star tip. When the oil is hot, pipe 5-7 inches of the mix directly into the pan.  4. Fry the churros until they are cooked through and golden.  5. Take the churros out of the pan and roll them in sugar. Serve the churros with hot chocolate. For hot chocolate: Ingredients: 1-2 tbsp. brown sugar 1 cup tablea, grated 1/3 cup cream 1 drop of vanilla extract 1 cinnamon stick Procedure: 1. Prepare

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 78- Feb. 3, BINAGOONGAN BONELESS CRISPY PATA. Ingredients: 1 k. pork front leg (pata) 2 tbsp. whole black peppercorns 2 tbsp. rock salt 2 pcs. red onion, quartered 4 cloves garlic, crushed ½ carrot, sliced 1 stalk celery with leaves, sliced 3 pcs. laurel leaves water for boiling 4 cups vegetable oil for deep-frying spring onions for garnish Procedure: 1. Debone the pork leg and tie with butcher’s twine to make a log. 2. Boil the pork leg in water with red onions, bay leaf, garlic, pepper corns, salt, carrots and celery for 1 ½-2 hours until pork is tender. 3. Remove pork from the water and take out the twine, poke the skin with fork. Set aside. 4. Place the pork in room temp oil then heat the oil slowly. Cover the pot and towards the end, splash a little water into the oil to make the skin crispy. Set aside when done. For Binagoongan: Ingredients: 1 cup bagoong alamang ½ head of garlic, mince

Here's Idol sa Kusina Recipe for Episode 78- Feb. 3,  FRIED CHICKEN WITH GRAVY. Ingredients: 1 whole chicken Salt and pepper to taste 1 bunch spring onion stalks  2 pcs. bay leaves  1-2 tbsp. fish sauce  oil for deep frying parsley for garnish image and recipe credit: idol sa kusina fb page Procedure: 1. Rub chicken with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Set aside.  2. Add spring onion stalks, bay leaves and fish sauce to water in a steamer. Steam chicken for about 30 minutes. 3. Remove chicken to cool down and rub a little more fish sauce all over.  4. Heat enough oil in a wok. Deep-fry chicken for 5-8 minutes until golden. Scoop out and drain on paper towels. Let stand for a few minutes before chopping and serving. For the gravy: Ingredients: 1 tbsp. flour 1 tbsp. butter ½ cup stock from steamer 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 ½ tbsp.. soy sauce salt and pepper to taste Procedure: 1. Make roux in a pan, then add stock sl

Catch Sarah Geronimo sings "Buhay Pamilya" Jollibee 35th Anniversary Jingle. Learn the story behind our 35th Anniversary jingle, "Buhay Pamilya," as you sing along with Sarah Geronimo. Go to this link and download a FREE copy of the song: HERE! Meanwhile, Get a chance to win P1 MILLION TAX FREE! Just order your favorite Value Meal with a Coke upgrade either thru Jollibee Delivery or Drive-Thru. See posters and flyers for more details.

Have you tried the new Jollibee Flip Floats? What's your favorite flavor -- chocolate or coffee? :-). The new Jollibee Flip Floats celebrity endorser is Kapamilya hunk, Gerald Anderson.

FEBRUARY is “NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME CONSCIOUSNESS MONTH” as per Proclamation No. 157, s. 2002. MALACAÑANG Manila BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES PROCLAMATION NO. 157 DECLARING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY AS “NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME CONSCIOUSNESS MONTH” WHEREAS, it is the policy of the state to provide priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women and children (Art XIII, Section ii, Philippine Constitution); WHEREAS, the Republic of the Philippines recognizes that disabled children have the right to special care, education and training to help them enjoy full and decent lives in dignity and achieve the greatest degree of self-reliance and social integration possible (Art 23, Paragraph I, The U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child); WHEREAS, there are now hundreds of thousands of Filipino children with Down Syndrome, who are invariably suffering from genetic mental, physiological and physical disabilities; WHEREAS, children with Down Syndrome deserve the d

Catch Idol sa Kusina- February 3, 2013 Episode, Best Loved Restaurant Foods  Don't forget to watch IDOL SA KUSINA tom ( Feb. 3, 2013) with special guest Benjamin Alves together with HRM and culinary students from St. Paul University Q.C., Sta. Isabel College Mla, and Fatima University Q.C.  Best Loved Restaurant Foods ang lulutin natin bukas --- Beef Sukiyaki, Fried Chicken with Gravy, Binagoongan Boneless Crispy Pata + churros with hot choco.