cleaning & cooking

Crispy Veggies

2011-08-29T22:12:00.000+08:00

Here is a great tip on how to make your veggies remain crispy:

Keep your veggies crisper longer by simply lining your fridge's crisper compartment with crumpled newspaper.

Microfiber Gloves

2011-07-26T00:12:00.002+08:00

Cleanaholics is shown here on Discovery Home and Health Channel.

For anyone who is a cleaning enthusiast, the show is a must-see show. However, it was elusive to me 'coz its time slot varies.
If ever I get that opportunity, it would definitely be a show to spend some time alone.

I love the show because cleaning enthusiasts share their tips on how you can utilize your time between cleaning the house and attending to family.
Also, it is where I get to see the cleaning tools that they use.
While I was at a hardware store, a different kind of rag caught my attention. It looked familiar to me. I must have seen it somewhere else.
The rag was called Microfiber Rag. The rag's fiber makes it easy to get the deep-seated dirt. And because it was in a glove form, you can slip you hands inside, there is no way that it would fall off from your hands.
It costs P50 and in a variety of colors.

Foods Causing Migraine

2011-07-04T07:34:00.000+08:00

Stress, too bright lights and strong perfumes are not just the things that cause migrane. There are certain foods that trigger migraine.

Here are some of the common food triggers according to the National Headache Foundation:

Ripened cheeses (such as cheddar, Emmentaler, Stilton, Brie, and Camembert)
Chocolate
Marinated, pickled, or fermented food
Foods that contain nitrites or nitrates (bacon, hot dogs) or MSG (soy sauce, meat tenderizers, seasoned salt)
Sour cream
Nuts, peanut butter
Sourdough bread
Broad beans, lima beans, fava beans, snow peas
Figs, raisins, papayas, avocados, red plums
Citrus fruits
Excessive amounts (more than 2 cups total) of caffeinated beverages such as tea, coffee, or cola
Alcohol (including red wine and beer)

source: shine.yahoo.com

2011-06-20T15:22:00.000+08:00

School has already started . And if you think that kids are the only ones who get busy, well, you're absolutely wrong.

Parents or guardians (like in my case) get busy the most when it is school time. Don't get me wrong, I am not whining. LOL.

My conscience dictates that I prepare their food at home. At least, in that case, I am sure what they get into their mouths.

Here is one good recipe for the kids' baon, Burger Steak Recipe from Del Monte Kitchenomics.

INGREDIENTS

2 pcs sliced bread (diced ½ cup)

1 tbsp evaporated milk

150 g ground pork

1 pc small tokwa, chopped

1 pc small egg

1 pc small onion chopped

2 gloves garlic minced

3 tbsp canned button mushroom sliced

1 pouch Del Monte Filipino Style Tomato Sauce

2 tbsp frozen green peas (optional)

Procedure:

Combine bread and milk. Mix until bread is soggy. Combine with pork, tokwa, egg, onion and half of garlic.
Season with ½ tsp iodized fine salt (or 1/2 tbsp iodized rock salt) and 1/4 tsp pepper. Mix well.
Divide into 10 portions (about 1-1/2 tablespoons each) and form into patties.
Pan-grill in 2 tablespoons oil until brown on both sides. Set aside.
SAUTè remaining garlic and mushrooms. Add DEL MONTE Tomato Sauce, 1 cup water, 1-1/4 tsp brown sugar, patis and pepper to taste. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
Add green peas and patties. Allow to simmer.

Sweet Pork Recipe

2011-03-23T00:33:00.002+08:00

This is a recipe for special occasions. During this time of the year, March, it is graduation time. What better way to celebrate it by cooking a very special meal for your kids who worked hard at school.

Special Meal : SWEET PORK

1 kg. pork or kasim, sliced into thin, flat strips
500 ml. clear softdrinks
4 gloves garlic
1 pc medium onion chopped
1 pouch Original Style Del Monte Tomato Sauce
150 grams green bell peppers, cut into strips
2 tbsp chopped celery

MARINATE pork in soft drink for 30 minutes then boil for about

20 minutes or until tender.

Drain and set aside. Discard any stock left.

USING the same pan, sauté garlic and onion. Add DEL MONTE

Tomato Sauce, salt and pepper to taste.

Put meat and simmer for 10 minutes.

ADD bell peppers and celery. Simmer once.

How to save water?

2011-03-23T00:08:00.003+08:00

Attention aquarium owners. You can do a lot of saving your water each time you clean your aquarium.

Save the water each time you change it. Use it to water your house plants and you will be amazed at the results.

How to recycle candle jars

2011-03-07T09:44:00.000+08:00

Recycling candle jars:

Place use jar in the freezer. After an hour or so, take the jar out, turn in upside down, and tap

the bottom a few minutes. The was will pop right out.

No more tears when cutting onions

2011-02-23T17:56:00.000+08:00

If you do not like cutting onions because it makes you cry, here is a tip for you.

Before cutting onions, chill it for an hour first. This will make the onion locked its enzyme inside. It is responsible for making your eyes feel irritated and makes you shed a tear while peeling.

With a cold onion, less propanethial S-oxide will evaporate. You'll get some irritants, but this will help. Remember - refrigerate, don't freeze.

How to keep your banana fresh?

2011-02-19T09:43:00.000+08:00

Have you recently bought bananas? Well, there is a great tip for your bananas to stay fresh longer.

Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store.

If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen

faster.

Eliminate Odor from you Refrigerator

2011-02-11T17:25:00.000+08:00

We all know that a box of baking soda in the fridge will help to eliminate odors, but try placing a fresh slice of uncovered bread in the refrigerator instead. It will absorb most of the bad odors as well.

Salt Shaker

2011-02-01T22:31:00.000+08:00

Ever experienced salt in your salt shaker becoming lumpy specially when it is humid?

Here is great tip :

Adding a few rice grains in the salt shaker will prevent it from becoming lumpy in humid climate.

How to keep your hands soft while washing dishes ?

2011-01-29T16:51:00.000+08:00

Washing the dishes can sometimes be fun, but most of the time one finds the work dreadful.

Why? It is because washing dishes can make you hands dry and dull.

Here is a perfect tip to help you retain the suppleness of your hands while washing the dishes:

When washing dishes, add a tablespoon of baking soda to your water with your usual dish soap. This will help soften your hands while cutting through that nasty grease!

source: perfect housewife

How to keep your car smelling fresh?

2011-01-21T16:57:00.000+08:00

Keep your car smelling fresh by slipping a fabric softener sheet under your driver's seat every 3 or 4 weeks. The heat of the car warming up will release the aroma so your interior will smell fresh & clean. Try using a sheet scented with energizing lemon to help stay alert while you're on the road!

Source: perfect housewife

How to clean your toilet bowl?

2011-01-20T16:00:00.001+08:00

According to Anthea Turner of Perfect Housewife, which I watch regularly, your toilet should be cleaned every single day.

In fact, it should be the cleanest room of the house. It hits me, my apologies for I fail to do it every day.

The show is not only enjoyable but more importantly, educational. Anthea Turner gives you useful tips on proper cleaning of your humble abode.

One great tip that I recently learned from the show was on how to properly clean toilet bowls.

So, how do you clean your toilet bowl? Is it first from the inside to outside? Or, outside first and then inside?

My practice for so long is the first one. I have always thought that it is was the proper way but I was wrong.

The proper way to clean your toilet bowl should be cleaning the outside first and then, the inside of your bowl.

So, the next time I clean our toilet, I should do it the proper way.

Ooopsss, guess I have to head to the toilet now, cleaning time!!! Ciao....

ps... don't forget that every time you flush, always put the lid down (another great tip)

Enjoy 50% discount on Karekare, Crispy Pata and Many More

2011-01-20T10:31:00.000+08:00

Barrio Fiesta through Ebay offers you 50% discount on Kare-Kare and Crispy Pata. You still have 4 more days to feast your taste buds, Enjoy!!!

50 % discount on Karekare and Crispy Pata

Which hopia you like?

2011-01-12T08:13:00.000+08:00

The other day while I was in SM Center, I got the chance to drop by at Salazar Bake Shop.
I bought Ube Hopia, 3 Ensaymada for father and mother and Tintin.

I have always loved hopia. When I was still working then, I would always ask a Chinese friend volunteering where I worked to buy me hopia in Binondo.

Sincere there is no Eng Bee Tin where we lived I opted for Salazar. Salazar is also good but my taste buds really would go for Eng Bee Tin.

Well, Eng Bee Tin, got any commission for me? LOL

Cutting Grease Tip

2011-01-08T20:58:00.000+08:00

Don't you feel frustrated that even if you use dish washing liquid when cleaning your kitchenware, you still have that greasy feeling?

Well, fret no more. There is a good tip that I would like to share with you that will help in cutting off grease on your favorite kitchenware.

One best tip which you could use is to add vinegar in your dish washing water solution. Not only will it make them squeaky clean, it will also leave a fresh and clean scent.

Pritong Tilapia

2010-12-21T15:28:00.000+08:00

Tilapia has always been the favorite fish here at home. The kids love it specially when it is fried. Tintin, one of the kids here ought to fry the fish all by herself.
Here is how she does it in her own way.

Holiday Chowmein

2010-12-07T22:59:00.000+08:00

Del Monte Kitchenomics presents another recipe for the Holiday Season.

This recipe is rich in Vitamin B3 which helps promote digestion and healthy skin.

Ingredients

350 g (350 g)	chicken breast fillet, cut into strips
200 g (200 g)	shrimps, shelled, tails kept intact
350 g (350 g)	bihon or canton noodles
5 pc (21 g)	dried shitake mushrooms, soaked and sliced
½ tsp (2.3 g)	sesame oil
¼ cup (14.4 g)	sliced wansuy sauce

2 packs (230 g)	DEL MONTE Pineapple Tidbits, drained, reserve syrup
1/3 cup (103.33 g)	oyster sauce
2-¼ cups (535.5 g)	chicken stock
1 tsp (4 g)	ginger, grated
12 pc (96 g)	shallots, sliced thinly
2 tsp (9 g)	brown sugar
6 stalks (12 g)	chives, sliced
2 tbsp (18 g)	cornstarch, dissolved in pineapple syrup

1. SAUTé chicken, shrimps and mushrooms in sesame oil until cooked. Season with salt to taste. Set aside.

2. COMBINE ingredients for sauce. Simmer until thickened. Add chicken-shrimp mixture. Allow to simmer. Set aside.

3. DEEP fry noodles in batches until crispy. Transfer to a platter.

4. POUR sauce and top with wansuy.

Fried Ice Cream, anyone?

2010-12-04T10:10:00.000+08:00

Ever heard of Fried Ice Cream? Is it possible? Well, I was asking the same question myself.
I saw this ice cream stall in one of the malls while doing my "window shopping-LOL." Curious as I was, however, it did not convince me yet, to buy one for me.

For the second time, I saw again another ice cream stall in another shopping mall. What got my attention to it was the number of people that were lining up to buy one. People's patronage of a certain product got me into buying this fried ice cream. If people took time out to line up, then it must be good.

The machine that they used was similar to the cotton candy maker machine. They pour the sweetened liquid over to the big frying pan and spreads them out until it hardens.

It is served with toppings of your choice. It costs P25.

Funny Restaurant Names

2010-11-30T23:21:00.000+08:00

Have you been to a restaurant whose name sounds so weird? Well, I have not. But I came across two, which names I find funny but naughty.

Top 10 Dinaing na Bangus

2010-11-29T21:54:00.000+08:00

I have always loved Dinaing na Bangus. There was a time when for one whole straight week, we had dinaing na bangus for dinner. It comes pre-packed (3 pcs of Bangus) which we bought from SM Center and costs for only P100.

When Spot.ph presented its list of Top 10 Dinaing na Bangus in Metro Manila, I immediately checked it out.

Here are the their choice of Top 10 Dinaing na Bangus:

10. Razon's of Guagua (P200 or less)

9. Aristocrat (P235)

8. Binalot (P85)

7. Max (P169 / Boneless P214)

6. 1521 , Wakwak, Mandaluyong (P285)

5. Chocolate Kiss Cafe, UP Diliman (P170)

4. Jollibee (P76)

3. Ebun, Mall of Asia (P158)

2. Pancake House (P225)

1. Mesa Filipino Moderne , Greenbelt 5 owned by Kiko Pangilinan and Friends (P280) serves
only the belly

** all photos courtesy of SPOT.PH**

Fruity Bibingka

2010-11-25T22:57:00.000+08:00

Have you tried your Bibingka with fruits on top? Sounds weird right. But by just looking at the picture, it looks really good. perhaps it really tastes good. Will try this one soon.

To prepare, here are the ingredients and its procedure.

2 packs (300 g)	bibingka cake mix
439 g (439 g)	DEL MONTE Fiesta Fruit Cocktail
2 pcs (100 g)	eggs
2 tbsp (28 g)	butter or margarine

¼ cup (28.75 g)	cheddar cheese
1 pc (70 g)	salted egg
	banana leaves

1. PREHEAT oven toaster. Pass banana leaf over flame until wilted. Line a 5" x 8" pan with double layer of banana leaves, slightly extending from the edge of the pan (or use individual tin pans). Set aside.

2. IN a bowl, combine the cake mix and all of the coconut milk powder in the pack. Blend well. Add eggs, fruit cocktail syrup and butter. Beat until smooth. Fold in DEL MONTE Fiesta Fruit Cocktail.

3. POUR into prepared pan/s. Top with cheese and salted egg, if desired. Cover with aluminum foil. Place pan directly on the oven rack.

4. BAKE for 40 minutes if using rectangular pan, 15-20 minutes if using individual pan. Remove foil and bake for another 5-7 minutes.

Source: DelMonte Kitchenomics

20-minute room cleaning

2010-11-09T10:12:00.000+08:00

Here is a great video for cleaning our bathroom. This can be all done in just 20 minutes. There is another great tip that you could learn from the video. When polishing your faucet to a squeaky cleaning look, use paper towel and just rub it on them to give you a fresh, mirror-like faucet.

Day 16: Floor and Surface Clean One Room from maxwell gillingham-ryan on Vimeo.

Dinaing na Bangus

2010-10-31T22:41:00.001+08:00

Yesterday, I did some grocery shopping. Dinaing na Bangus has been a constant favorite at home. But lately, since my father came back from an almost a week stay at the hospital, cooking at home was seen less likely to be done on a daily basis because everybody was still drop-dead tired.

I bought this Dinaing na Bangus from a nearby supermarket. While my sister was frying it, it was evidently emitting an obscene smell. I said that it was just probably normal.
As she started eating, it gave her itchy feelings on her tongue. I was thinking of bringing it back to the supermarket to inform them about it. But they said that it was impossible to take it back since we had already used up one piece of the fish.
What mother did was to totally wash the Bangus and again marinated it in vinegar, salt and pepper.
Well, we haven't tried it yet now, hope it does the work. The 3-piece Dinaing na Bangus costs P140.

I still believe that I had to inform the supermarket about it, don't you think so?