Banana Boats

Peel the plantains (saging na saba) and cut a slit through the middle. Set aside.

Saute ground pork, minced carrot and raisins in garlic and onion. Use this as filling for the bananas.

Fry the bananas in oil until golden brown.

Cream Puffs

For the pastry: In a medium saucepan, combine shortening and water and bring to a boil. Sift together 1 cup flour and a pinch of salt and pour all at once into boiling mixture. Stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat, and add eggs, one at a time, stirring vigorously after each addition. Drop by spoonfuls onto baking sheet, or pipe into desired shape.

Bake 10 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce heat to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and bake 25 minutes more, or until golden. Cool completely.

For the custard: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar, 5 tablespoons flour and a pinch of salt. Stir in milk, a little at a time, until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 60 seconds, then pour a small amount of hot liquid into the 2 egg yolks, and stir. Then return now heated egg yolks to saucepan and stir, over heat, until mixture starts to bubble again. Remove from heat, add vanilla. Cover and chill in refrigerator.

Cut custard in half and fill with custard, then replace tops.

Chicken Galantina

Clean the deboned whole chicken thoroughly and rub with salt and pepper. Set aside.

In a bowl, mix together 1/2 kilo of lean ground pork, chopped vienna sausage, chopped ham or chorizo, pickle relish, chopped olives, grated cheese, bread soaked in milk, 3 eggs and a cup of bread crumbs.

Stuff half of the mixture in chicken. Arrange boiled eggs and carrots and spread remaining mixture. Sew opening. Wrap chicken in foil (or cheesecloth) and steam cook for 1 1/2 hours. When done, remove chicken from foil and roast/bake for 30 mins at 350 degrees F. Cool or chill chicken before slicing using a very sharp knife.

For the sauce, boil chicken drippings in a pot and add 2 tbsp dissolved cornstarch and half cup of grated cheese. Stir until thick.

Serve hot with cheese sauce or cold with ketchup.

Merry Christmas....hik!

If drinking is evil, then why did Jesus turn water into wine? Exercise caution. Drink moderately. Happy Christmas and be merry!

Apple Cherry Pie

Christmas Surprise

Afterglow

Cranberry Crazy

Peach Melba

Cheesecake

In a shallow bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, white sugar and melted butter. Press evenly at the bottom and on the sides of a round pan. Refrigerate.

For the filling, whisk together 16 oz (2 bars) of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of white sugar and 2 tbsp flour. Add 3 eggs. Avoid overbeating. Add 1/2 cup of whipped cream, 1 tsp lemon zest and 1 tsp vanilla extract or banana essence.

Pour the filling over the chilled crust. Preheat oven at 250 degrees Celsius and bake the batter at 180 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes. Continue baking for another 1 1/2 hrs at 120 degrees Celsius or until firm. Let it cool. This cheesecake is best served frozen. Serve with fruit sauces (blueberry, strawberry, etc.) or sour cream on top.

To make chocolate cheesecake, modify the filling by adding a cup of powdered cocoa or melted chocolate and substitute the whipped cream with sour cream.