Cook and Brew.

The husband wished for any chicken dish for dinner that has sauce or any that isn’t dry or fried. So here come my cookbooks to the rescue. But I halted for a while when I encountered the term “Baste“.

Wikipedia defines “Basting is a cooking technique, and usually involves cooking meat with either its own juices or some type of preparation such as a sauce or marinade. The meat is left to cook, then is periodically coated with the juice or marinade as it cooks.”

This term can often be used around the holiday season when the Thanksgiving turkey comes out. Roast lamb or chicken are often basted with the juices in the pan during cooking, in order to keep the meat moist and for an added flavor. Several liquids may be used for basting meats such as broth, melted butter, pan drippings, or a combination of these ingredients.

Ingredients:
1 can 234 g Del Monte Fresh Cut Pineapple Chunks, drained (reserve syrup)
1/2 Kg pork kasim, cut into chunks
8 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup water
3 Tbsp soy sauce
3 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp dried oregano (optional)
2 Tbsp Del Monte Red Cane Vinegar
1 pc laurel leaf
3 Tbsp tausi (salted black beans)
Procedure:
1. Combine pineapple syrup with other ingredients except pineapple chunks. Cover and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes or until pork is tender, then simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes.
2. Add Del Monte Fresh Cut Pineapple Chunks. Allow to simmer for another 5 minutes.

Other Notes:
Make 6 servings

Lusog Note:
Rich in Niacin – promotes normal digestion and healthy skin

Source: Del Monte Kitchenomics Cookbook Volume III

Sorry, no uploaded pic. This is my first ever successful dish hooked from a recipe book. It’s my first achievement and I myself was proud and more than satisfied of the outcome. How I wish I should’ve taken a picture of this.

I really find this Kitchenomics Cookbook fascinating and rookie cook-friendly. It provides pictures of the dishes so more or less, you’ll have a glimpse of how the dish should look like. The steps are complete and are easy to follow. It also includes nutrition notes…perfect for those diet-conscious buffs.

Pina Bistek

If I remember correctly, this is the 3rd main dish I tried. Got it from Del Monte’s Kitchenomics Cookbook Vol. 3. Yummy! the pineapple’s taste blends well with the beef and salty overall taste of the dish.

Inredients:
1/4 kilo beef sirloin, sliced, tapa style
1 large onion, sliced into rings
1-3 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. calamansi juice
1 can (234 g) Del Monte Fresh Cut Pineapple Tidbits, drained (reserve syrup)

Marinade:
8 cloves garlic, crushed
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/2 tsp. calamansi juice
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 pineapple syrup

Procedure:
1 Marinate beef for 1 hour. Drain and reserve marinade. Fry in 1/4 cup oil until light brown. Set aside. Retain 2 Tbsp. oil in pan.
2 In the same pan, sauté onion. Add soy sauce, 1/8 tsp. pepper, calamansi juice and marinade. Simmer for 2 minutes. Add beef and DEL MONTE Fresh Cut Pineapple Tidbits. Simmer once. If desired, serve with fried potatoes.

Breaded Pork Chops

Ingredients:
4 pork chops, medium or large
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 1/2 tsp calamansi juice
1 egg, beaten
oil for frying
salt & pepper to taste

Procedure:
1. Mix calamansi juice, salt and pepper in a bowl.
2. Season pork chops with this mixture and set aside for 30 mins. (This will give the meat enough time to absorb the flavor.)
3. Roll pork in bread crumbs, then moisten with beaten egg and roll again in bread crumbs.
4. Fry over medium heat until golden brown.

Source: Christine Lee’s Best Loved Foods for Everyone