I
have a sweet inclination in the kitchen. I just developed it recently. It is a
task so fulfilling because I guess it has to do with FOOD. It makes me feel
like im becoming more of a WOMAN and funny but it is so liberating. Hahaha
I
just downloaded a nice app in my android fone about Filipino recipes. The first
time I tried it, it was a little different because this time it was a success.
Remember my leche flunk? I mean leche flan. LOL Back to the app, it was very
helpful and I was more than thankful because the menus are great though the
number of choices available are just really few. The ingredients were easy to
find and affordable (I can even see them in our kitchen without having the fuzz
to buy), because again they are all Filipino cuisines.
I
made Ampalaya with Beef for my boyfriend and I was all smiles because I knew it
would be a success and the boyfee really liked it!
Now
for my note’s sake, I decided to just blog about every cooking moments of my
life because I am not a pro and chances are, I will just soon forget how the
magic is done. Well, I cooked the Ampalaya some time ago so I have to open the
menu/ app again for a review on what I did.
This
infamous vegetable (I know a lot don’t like Ampalaya ;p) has substances that
help control blood sugar. This is just perfect for me coming from a family with
diabetic grandparents. And the rest? All I can say is its really bitter!
In
the app, the menu was categorized under “Mga Ginisang Gulay” because both
boifee and I love vegetables. I know that Ampalaya or bitter gourd isn’t the
most desirable vegetable there is and I remember when I was a kid they’re at
the bottom of my “what’s-not-to-eat-food” list. Oh well, it changed when I was
in my freshman year in college when a classmate of mine boasted her mom’s
Ampalaya cooking. It was indeed good! I don’t know, I find it bitter 24 years
ago and it doesn’t change up till now. Oh well, the mind has a world of its
own. I now liked it! So much about the history, let’s get it on!
By
the way, I am a starter in the kitchen but I am a hell of deviant when it comes
to measurements. Lol I remember purchasing ¼ of beef, the ampalaya (but of
course!), onion, garlic and all that spice. You know what I mean right?
Boyfriend
and I were on a debate whether we slice 2 whole ampalayas or not. I ended up
slicing one big whole and half. Now to make sure I don’t serve a super bitter
ampalaya, I washed it with water (before slicing it into small pieces, I cut
them half lengthwise first) and I put generous amount of salt all over using my
hands. I let it stay for quite some time. I put water again and squeezed it
like a stress ball just to make sure the bitter taste will somehow lessen.
Now
in a separate bowl, I added soy sauce, salt and pepper. The app says to put
oyster sauce too but we didn’t have Oyster sauce. You will let all the goodness
sip through the beef so don’t be stupid and let it stay for a while. I’ll say
10-15 minutes.
Now
in a pan, saute garlic and onion. Add the marinated beef followed with a glass
of water. Cover the pan. Go grab that book you’ve been meaning to read because
this thing will take forever. Haha In other words, you wait till the beef
soften.
Once
you think that the beef is good to go, add the sliced ampalaya. Let it stay for
about 3 minutes. I personally don’t like the vegetable overcooked. Add corn
starch and Magic Sarap and stir. In my case, the boifee wants to taste the pepper
most of the time so I added more pepper in this stage. You will know that the
corn starch has done its purpose if the sauce has thickened already.
tadaaahhh!!!
