Simple Life Matters

Creamy Carbonara INGREDIENTS: 500 grams Fettucine noodles(or any desired pasta) 1 can evaporated milk 250 ml all purpose cream 1 can creamed of mushroom soup 200 grams sweet ham 200 grams bacon 1 head garlic, minced 1 onion, minced 1 teaspoon ground pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 250 grams grated Parmesancheese 2 tablespoon parsley, chopped(optional) INSTRUCTIONS: 1. In a large pot, prepare the pasta based on cooking instructions. Set aside. 2. Fry the bacon but not too crispy. drain and cut into small pieces. Set aside. 3. Fry the ham, drain and cut into small square pieces. Set aside. 4. In a pan, heat oil and saute garlic and onion. Add 3/4 of fried bacon and ham. 5. Add evaporated milk and creamed mushroom soup. 6. Add the all purpose cream and grated parmesan cheese. Stir and bring to boil. 7. Season with ground pepper. 8. Add more evaporated milk or a cup of water if the sauce is too creamy or salty. 9. Simmer until beginning to thicken. Remove from heat. 10. Prepare pasta on pas...

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta INGREDIENTS: 1/2 package of pasta (we used rotini) 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon butter 2 chicken breasts, cubed 1 can cream of chicken soup 1/2 can of milk 4 oz (1/2 cup) of pesto (we used a store bought brand to make it easy) Parmesan Cheese, shredded INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Cook your pasta per package directions. When it is done add 1 tablespoon of butter and stir. 2. Meanwhie, while your pasta is cooking add about ½ tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet and cook until the chicken starts to lightly brown (we usually get all of the liquid out of the pan and wipe it with a napkin about ¾ of the way through cooking the chicken cubes, we're weird like that!) 3. Add your cream of chicken soup, milk, garlic salt, pepper, and pesto sauce to your chicken skillet. Whisk together and bring to a slight boil, then turn down the heat immediately so that you don't burn the soup mixture to the bottom of the pan. Let simmer for a couple o...

Pancit Lomi INGREDIENTS: 1 ½ cups cabbage, chopped 1 piece carrot, chopped ½ cup chicken and/or pork, cooked; sliced ½ cup chicken balls, fried; halved ¼ cup cooking oil ¼ cup cornstarch, dissolved in water measuring about ½ cup 2 pieces eggs, raw; beaten 4 cloves garlic, pounded granulated seasonings ½ cup kikiam, fried; sliced liquid seasonings ¼ kilogram lomi noodles 1 piece onion, chopped ¼ cup shrimps, cooked; shelled INSTRUCTIONS: 1. In a pan set over medium heat, sauté garlic and onion until onion is clear and garlic is slightly brown. 2. Add in chicken and/or pork. 3. Add in shrimp. 4. Stir fry for about three minutes. 5. Pour in water. 6. Simmer until water has dissolved. This should take at least five minutes. 7. Pour in broth. 8. Allow to boil. This should take at least ten minutes. 9. Dip noodles in broth. 10. Add in carrot and cabbage. 11. Again, simmer for about three minutes. 12. Add in cornstarch. 13. Sprinkle the seasonings. 14. Place eggs. 15. Stir everything. 16. Ser...

Spaghetti with Browned Butter and Wilted Greens INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. spaghetti 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter juice of one lemon 3 cloves garlic, minced 8 oz. fresh greens (baby spinach, arugula, or other greens that can be wilted) 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese 1 cup sliced almonds (pine nuts or walnuts can also be used) salt and pepper, to taste INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Cook spaghetti according to directions. 2. Meanwhile, juice the lemon and mince garlic, so you are ready to add it to the butter immediately after the next step. 3. Brown the butter. Melt butter in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Once it is all melted, turn heat to high and whisk continuously. The butter will begin to foam and will eventually turn a rich, deep brown color (this is the milk solids starting to brown/burn). Careful- don't brown it too much or it will burn. 4. Once the butter has browned, immediately add the garlic and the lemon juice to the butter. The heat of the butter will cook the garlic and the lemon ju...

Special Pancit Palabok INGREDIENTS: 3 tbsps cooking oil 1 head garlic, crushed  ½ cup deboned tinapa (smoked fish) flakes 1 pouch Palabok (Shrimp Gravy) Mix 3 cups stock or water 16 cups water 2 tbsps cooking oil 1 pack bihon 2 pcs hard-boiled eggs, sliced 2 tbsps garlic, fried until golden in color ½ cup shrimps, boiled, shelled, deveined and halved 3 tbsps dahon ng sibuyas (spring onions) chopped ½ cup chicharon, crushed 4 pcs calamansi, sliced crosswise patis or fish sauce to taste  INSTRUCTIONS: 1. In a wok or kawali, heat and sauté garlic, ¼ cup of the tinapa flakes and stir in Palabok (Shrimp Gravy) Mix dissolved in 3 cups stock or water. Bring to a boil while stirring occasionally. 2. Lower the heat and simmer until sauce is thick. Remove from heat and set aside. 3. Cook the bihon: Bring 4 liters of water and 2 tbsps cooking oil to a rolling boil and drop the noodles. Leave for 1 minute or until noodles are cooked. Drain and wash with cold water. 4. Arrange the noodles ...

Pan Seared Salmon With Spice Rub INGREDIENTS: 2 - 3 Salmon steaks, room temperature (4-6 ounce) 1 ½ teaspoon onion powder 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½-teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon thyme ½ teaspoon bouillon powder (optional) ¼ cayenne pepper (optional) Salt and pepper to taste INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Combine the onion, garlic, paprika, thyme and bouillon powder. 2. Brush salmon lightly with the oil, then season with salt and pepper. Followed by the spice rub. 3. Preheat a large heavy skillet or grill pan over medium heat for about 2 minutes. 4. Add salmon to pan; cook salmon for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness is reached. Source: Immaculate Bites

Longganisa Fried Rice INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon minced garlic 5 cups cooked rice 11/2 cups crumbled longganisa, cooked until browned 2 teaspoons vinegar Salt, to taste 1/2 cup chopped onions 1 cup chopped tomatoes 3 salted eggs, diced INSTRUCTIONS: Heat oil in a wok or pan. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant but not brown. Add rice and longganisa. Toss to mix well. Drizzle with vinegar and season to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with onions, tomatoes, and salted egg. Source: Yummy