Beef Caldereta

Boil the beef chunks in a casserole until tender. Set aside.

In a deep pan, saute garlic, onion, beef chunks and chopped bell pepper. Cook for 2 minutes over medium heat. Pour the beef broth and let it boil. Add tomato paste (one small can) and minced hot chili pepper. Lower the fire and let it simmer. Add chopped potatoes and pitted green olives. Season with salt, pepper and a little sugar. Simmer again for a few minutes until potatoes are cooked. Add cheese and liver spread (one small can) and allow sauce to thicken. Finally, add the green peas and cook for another minute.

Tuna Pasta

Boil the pasta in water with oil and salt for 10-15 minutes. Set aside.

Saute garlic, onion and 2-3 pieces of tomatoes in oil. Wait for the tomatoes to cook thoroughly before adding the tuna chunks (you may use albacore tuna in water or simply tuna chunks in water). Continue stir frying all the ingredients. Add some ground oregano or basil, salt and pepper.

Arrange pasta in a deep platter (this way the pasta will maintain its temperature). Place the sauce on top and put lots of grated cheese.

Sweet n Sour Meatballs

To make the meatballs, combine ground pork, salt, pepper, paprika, chili pepper, an egg, and some flour. Shape the pork mixture into 1-2 inch meatballs. Fry until golden brown. Set aside.

In a hot pan, put some oil then saute minced garlic and chopped bell peppers. Add the meatballs, a small can of pineapple tidbits, some vinegar and brown sugar. Cook until the sauce thickens.

Leche Flan

Use a hand mixer or a beater to combine the custard ingredients -- 10 egg yolks (preferrably duck egg), a big can of evaporated milk, a big can of condensed milk and 2 cups of sugar. Add half teaspoon of grated dayap peel or lime zest.

To make the caramel, pour 2 cups of sugar in a small pot over low heat. Stir the sugar when bubbles start to appear. Wait until sugar is dissolved. Pour the caramel into flan molds or custard cups, followed by the custard mixture.

Cover the flan molds with foil or plastic wrap (you may fasten it with rubber bands). Place the flan molds in a steamer and cook for an hour or until mixture is firm.

As an alternative, you may use oven to cook the flan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Put the flan molds into a bigger tray filled with water (adding water every 20 minutes). Bake for an hour or until mixture is firm.

Humba Lumba!

Brown the pork in oil. Do not cook thoroughly. Set aside.

In a large pot, combine minced garlic, peppercorns, bayleaf, oregano (optional), star anise, banana blossoms, cinnamon bark, a cup of sugar, a cup of vinegar and a cup of soy sauce. Add in the pork. Simmer until vinegar is cooked.

Laing

Saute garlic, onion, pork and a teaspoon of minced ginger in a pan. Add 3-4 handfuls of taro leaves (dahon ng gabi) and pour in a cup of coconut milk and half a cup of water. Do not mix yet. Just let it simmer until the leaves are cooked. Pour another cup of coconut milk and hot chili pepper (siling labuyo). Add salt to taste. Simmer for another 10 minutes.

Baked Mc!

Cook the macaroni (or any pasta shape you wish including lasagna) to al dente. Set aside.

For the Red Sauce:
Saute garlic, white onions and ground beef (may use pork or corned beef). Add chopped bell pepper, grated carrots and a small can of tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce. You may add ketchup if you want it Filipino style. Simmer until bubbly. Add a teaspoon of soy sauce, a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper and a teaspoon of sugar. Simmer again for a few minutes and add grated cheese. Set aside.

For the White Sauce:
Heat pan over low heat. Add in butter, a teaspoon of flour, 2 cups evaporated milk and cream of mushroom. Stir until thick. Sprinkle a dash of nutmeg and remove from heat. Set aside.

Combine cooked macaroni and white sauce. Distribute evenly.

In a medium oven-proof or microwavable dish, put in half the macaroni, followed by the red sauce. Create another layer of this. Garnish with grated or sliced cheese on top. Preheat oven at 250 degrees for 10 minutes. Bake the macaroni for 20-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly burnt. If using a microwave oven, bake the macaroni for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Haw Haw Beef Salpicao

Combine olive oil, a bulb of minced garlic, salt, pepper and paprika in a bowl. Marinate beef chunks (you may use leftover beef or steaks) in this mixture for an hour. Saute the marinated beef in oil. Add remaining marinade and simmer until sauce thickens. Add oyster sauce. Simmer again for a few minutes. Add a teaspoon of butter and remove from heat.

Bihon Guisado

Saute diced pork or chicken, shrimp, garlic and onions in oil. Add the chopped carrots, chicharo, string beans and cabbage. You may try adding chopped siling labuyo for an added kick. Stir fry until done. Pour in stock and soy sauce and let it boil. Toss in the noodles then season with salt and pepper. Simmer until noodles are tender. Garnish with fried tofu.

Fishy Lumpia

Mix flaked cooked fish meat (best to use leftovers), minced onion, carrot, garlic (optional) and pickles (optional).

Place filling in lumpia wrappers and roll tightly. Use cornstarch and water to seal the lumpia.

Deep fry lumpia in oil until brown.

Mmmmmorcon!

Marinate beef (sliced into 3/4" thick whole sheets) in soy sauce and calamansi extract for 30 minutes.

Prepare the stuffing (strips of bell pepper, strips of pickles, strips of canned sausage/chorizo de bilbao, hard-boiled eggs sliced into quarters, strips of carrot, strips of pork fat, strips of cheese) and roll into the sheets of meat. Tie with kitchen twine.

Sprinkle the morcons with flour and fry until brown.

On a separate pan, saute onion and tomatoes in oil. Add remaining marinade or beef broth, and a small can of liver spread. Add salt, pepper and a teaspoon of sugar. Simmer for 30 mins.

(Tip: Use tomato sauce instead of fresh tomatoes for longer shelf life.)