Pork Ham Recipe - Pork Estofado Style

I was craving for pork estofado but I don’t have the main ingredients available in our fridge.  Estofado is made from pork leg (my moms recipe) with banana plantain in it. These main ingredients are not available from local stores near our home so I went to Asian Store to buy pata (pork leg). Unfortunately pork leg was not available either so I grabbed the pork ham instead since I was informed that pork ham and pork leg are from the same part of the animal. My experimental recipe turned out good... umm yummy as what my daughter said.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs sliced pork ham (fat included)
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1 12oz-can cherry Dr. Pepper soda
• 2 garlic gloves
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 cup water
• 2 pcs dried bay leaves
• 6 eggs
• 2 tsp vegetable oil

 

How to make pork ham estofado - experimental version

1. On a separate pot, boil eggs for 12 minutes and set aside when done.
2. Heat frying pan on a medium heat and add vegetable oil.
3. Saute garlic until it turns brown. Add sliced pork ham and fry for about 5 minutes.
4. Pour soy sauce, water and Dr. Pepper soda.
5. Add bay leaves and ground pepper then bring to boil.
6. Set to low heat and cook for 1 hour.
7. Add the vinegar and cook for additional 10 minutes.
8. Peel the hard-boiled eggs and add to cooked pork ham.
9. Serve and enjoy.

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Home Made Pork Tocino

Another busy day had past and now time for comfort food. I’m craving for Tocino, It’s been a while since I had it. Tocino is popular breakfast meal in the Philippines. It tastes sweet and commonly served with fried rice and egg. You will normally see this in local hotels menu list. In the Philippines, most local stores sell it but here in the USA, you can only find it in few Asian stores. It is normally packed with "Pampangas Best" brand. Unfortunately Asian store is too far from our place so I don't have any option but to make my own. Good thing I have all the ingredients I needed and I can make my own version of tocino made from my kitchen.

Still I can’t satisfy my cravings that quick but I’m happy that when I opened our freezer, there’s a 1.5 lb frozen pork butt. I had to thaw it and sliced thinly so it will absorb the flavor easily. I found it hard to cut pork when the meat is too soft or completely thawed especially when using a dull knife. It’s much easier when there’s still frozen part on the meat but soft enough to slice it into about 1cm inch thick or maybe thinner than that.

When I finished slicing, I prepared the ingredients and let my daughter help me mix them. This is one way of making memories with my little girl. We spend time together in the kitchen and I let her do stuff she wants to do, of course those that are appropriate to her age and I supervise her. She’s enjoying it and she kept on stirring until I say ummm smells good baby, is it done? Then she would stop and tell me it's done mommy.

Yes, it smells good. Garlic has different aroma especially when it’s minced. Actually, It was the combination of garlic, soy sauce and sugar that makes it smells even better. And this is the flavor that we want pork to absorb.

It will be a while before the flavor completely absorb by the meat so we have to wait and marinate it for about 24hours before cooking. A lot of patience isn’t it? It is alright, it will be paid off. It feels so wonderful when your craving is satisfied.

Here is my own version of home made tocino.

Home Made Pork Tocino (My Version)

 

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb thinly sliced pork butt
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp malt vinegar
• 3 tbsp tropical punch juice (or pineapple juice)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 minced garlic gloves

 

Cooking Instruction

1. In a large container, combine all ingredients except pork.
2. Add pork and mix well.
3. Cover container and refrigerate for 24 hours.
4. After 24 hours, cook tocino over a medium heat by adding 1 1/2 cups of water.
5. Let the water boil. It will evaporate after few minutes. 
6. Once water is gone, add 3 tbsp oil and fry for few minutes both sides to stick the sugar on the meat.

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Sausage Stuffed Croissant

Thinking of experimenting a dish out of croissant rolls and came out with stuffed idea. This is easy to prepare and is sure you'll like it as my husband did.

  

Ingredients

• 1 Polish sausage (sliced)
• 1/2 cup mild Italian sausage 
• 1/2 cup mixed cheddar and mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup onions
• 1/2 cup green pepper
• 1 croissant rolls
• 1 cup meat sauce
• 2 tbsp butter

Cooking Instruction

1. On a medium size pan over a medium heat, cooked the sliced Polish sausage and Mild Italian Sausage for about 10 minutes.
2. Put it on the side of the pan. Add onions and green pepper and cook in the center of the pan for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. While heating the oven at 350 F, prepare the rolls on a pizza pan.
4. Top it with meat sauce, cooked sausage, green pepper and onions and mixed cheese.
5. Bake for 13 minutes at 350F.
6. Once done, brush it with butter. 

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Roasted Pork Sirloin

Hubby is the king of our grill so this time he volunteered making dinner. Result was really superb. Meat was soft and juicy. He told me that the secret is to slow cook it so next time I get to grill, I will try slow cooking and see if my roasted thing doesn't dry.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb Pork Sirloin
• 3 tbsp blackened seasoning
• 1 can Del Monte French Green Beans
• 1 can Campbell's cream of mushroom soup

Cooking Instruction

Grilled Pork

1. Rub blackened seasoning on both sides of pork sirloin.
2. Set aside for 1.5 hours to absorb the taste.
3. Slow cook on grill for about 3 hours. Turn it over from time to time.

Green Beans Casserole

1. Put together green beans and cream of mushroom.
2. Cook over a medium heat for about 10 minutes.

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Chicken Noodle Soup

Great meal for cold weather. This is simple recipe with combination of celery and carrot. Perfect to warm up my chilling body.

  Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken
• 1tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 chicken cubes
• 7 cups water
• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup carrot
• 1 cup celery
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Cooking Instruction

1. Using medium size pot over a medium heat, boil water with chicken, Italian seasoning and salt for 45 mins.
2. Add chicken cubes and elbow macaroni and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add carrot and celery and simmer for another 5 minutes.
4. On a separate cup, mix cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water.
5. Add milk and cornstarch mix on the chicken soup and boil to about 2 minutes.

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Chicken Wings Adobo

Adobo is very popular in the Philippines. There are different ways to cook it either with pork, chicken, veggies or combination. But for it I like it with chicken wings. It is very simple and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb Chicken Wingettes
• 3 laurel leaves
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 onion (sliced)
• 3 garlic gloves
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 3 tbsp malt vinegar
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup water
• banana pepper slice (optional)

Cooking Instruction

1. Put all ingredients except malt vinegar on a medium size pan. 
2. Cook on medium heat for about 40 minutes.
3. Add vinegar and cook for another 5 minutes. 
4. Serve with rice and top with banana pepper if you like a little hot.

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Meatloaf ala King

I want to try American meatloaf so I asked my husband how he cook this dish. As I tried it, it was not hard as I thought. It was actually simple and there's not so much preparation needed. Just mix ingredients and leave it in oven and tada!!!

 Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (27% fat)
• 1/2 cup green pepper
• 1/2 cup onions
• 3 eggs
• 3 tbsp meat loaf seasoning
• 1 pack saltine crackers (crushed)
• 1 cup meat sauce
• 1/3 cup milk

Cooking Instruction

1. Preheat oven at 350 F
2. Mix all ingredients except meat sauce.
3. Put the mixed ingredients on meatloaf pan.
4. Top it with meat sauce.
5. Bake for 1 hour.

 

 

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Beef Pastrami Fried Rice

So we have left over rice and a slice of beef pastrami and wanting to make some meal of it. Decided to make a fried from this left overs. Nothing goes to waste from frugal wife.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup onions
• 1 cup mixed veggies (carrot, corn, green peas)
• 1/2 cup beef pastrami
• 1 egg
• 1tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1tbsp honey
• 1/2 cup water
• salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instruction

1. Add butter and onion on a medium size pan over a medium heat.
2. Saute for 3 minutes, then add mixed veggies and saute for another 5 minutes.
3. Set it at the side of the pan. 
4. Add olive oil and fry slightly beaten egg for about 3 minute. 
5.  Add rice and mix.
6. On a separate cup, mix soy sauce, honey and water.
7. Add the soy sauce mixture in the pan and stir.
8. Cook for 5 minutes.

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Beef and Mushroom Omelette

This time I want to cook beef but there's only a little left on our freezer so I thought of experimenting and cook it with some frozen mushroom. The result was good though.

Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 2 cups beef (cubed)
• 1 cup mushrooms
• 1/2 cup sliced green pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• 1/2 cup chopped onions 
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• Salsa (optional)

Cooking Instruction

1. Put some olive oil in a medium size pan and cook beef for about  5 minutes in medium heat.
2. Add mushrooms and cook for another 10 minutes.
3. Add butter, let it melts and then add onions and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Mix the tomatoes, cover and turn the heat off.
5. Meanwhile, mix eggs, milk, salt and pepper.
6. In a separate frying pan on a medium, put some olive oil, wait till it hot and pour in some egg mix.
7. Top cooked meat mushrooms and veggies. Wait for 3 minutes.
8. Fold the omelet over the center and then fold the other side. Wait for another 3 minutes.
9. Slide it onto a plate and sprinkle shredded cheese. 

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Chicken and Potato Casserole

I thought of another experiment of a meal with available ingredients from our pantry. I called it Chicken and Potato Casserole Whatever and it turned out really good as per my hubby.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless chicken breast (cubed)
• 3 pcs bacon
• 4 potatoes (cubed)
• 1 cup Broccoli
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil 
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup grated cheese
• 1/4 cup cubed cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

 Cooking Instruction

1. Cook the bacon in a medium size pan
2. Remove and save for later.
3. Use bacon grease to fry chicken for about 5 minutes. 
4. Add garlic powder, pepper and salt.  
5. Add olive oil and cook cubed potatoes and Broccoli, cook for 5 minutes
6. Add water and simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Put butter on a separate pan and stir flour slowly while butter melts.
8. Add milk and cubed cheese. Stir until thick.
9. Transfer the cooked chicken with potatoes and broccoli into a baking pan
10. Pour in the cheese sauce. Scatter grated cheese and crashed bacon on top of it
11. Bake for 15 minutes or until cheese melts.

  

  

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Pulled Pork What Ever

This is simple recipe and easy to prepare. Just mix the ingredients and leave in stove at low heat for 45 minutes. I like it because my family can eat it the way we want to. I like to eat it topped on rice while my husband wants it with BBQ sauce and bread.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs Pork butt
• 1 onion sliced
• 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp Soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey mustard
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 chicken cubes
• 1 cup water
•  salt and pepper to taste
• (optional) BBQ sauce

 Cooking Instruction

1. Mix all ingredients except pork and onions.
2. Place sliced onions at the bottom of medium sized pan
3. Put pork on top of sliced onions and pour mixed ingredients from step 1.
4. Cook at medium heat for 15 minutes
5. Reduce heat to low and cook for another 45 minutes.
6. Remove pork from the pan and pull them apart using forks.
7. Put pulled pork back to the pan and mix with cooked broth. 
8. You can can BBQ sauce and mix well with pulled pork (optional).

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Mussels and Shrimps Pasta

This is simple combination of mussels and shrimp recipe flavored with garlic and parmesan cheese and serve it over pasta.

  Ingredients

• 1 lb mussels
• 1/2 lb shrimps
• 1/2 lb fettuccine pasta
• 1 tbsp Garlic bread sprinkle
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup water
• salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instruction

1. Boil water with mussels over a medium heat. 
2. Add butter, garlic powder and garlic bread sprinkle.
3. Simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
4. Remove from heat and gather the mussels. Save the broth for pasta sauce.
5. On a separate pot, cook pasta according to package.
6. While cooking pasta, melt butter on a separate pot over a medium heat.
7. Add the broth from mussels, shrimps, and olive oil. Simmer for 15 minutes.
8. Add milk, parmesan cheese and cheddar cheese. 
9. Cook for another 5 minutes and add salt and pepper to taste.
10. Mix with cooked pasta and mussels.  

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Baked Macaroni and Meat Balls

I'd like to do some twists on baked macaroni I ate sometime in the Philippines. I thought of adding meatballs for a change.

 

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 lb mild Italian sausage
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning 
• 1/2 tsp dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp dried minced onions
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 cups mozzarella and cheddar cheese (grated)
• 2 1/2 cup elbow macaroni 
• 1 jar meat sauce
• 1 cup water

Cooking Instruction

1. Mix all dry ingredients.
2. Add ground beef, sausage, milk and eggs. Mix well.
3. On a medium, spread some meat sauce at the bottom of the pan.
4. Make meatballs and place it on top of meat sauce.
5. Put some more meat sauce and water
6. Simmer for 45 minutes on a medium heat.
7. On a separate pan. Cook macaroni according to package instruction.
8. Once meatballs and macaroni are cooked, put it on a baking pan, add 1 cup grated cheese and mix well.
9. Add more cheese on top.
10. Baked for 15 minutes at 370 F or until cheese are melted.

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Pancit Canton

We went to an Asian store last time and bought a pack of flour stick. This is commonly served on the table in the Philippines. I decided to cook it with some twists and see if my American husband will like it. Result: It tastes good!

Ingredients

• 1 lb diced pork
• 250 grams flour stick (pancit canton)
• 1 onion (sliced)
• 2 garlic gloves (minced)
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lemon pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 5 cups water
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup celery
• 1 cup carrots 
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Cooking Instruction

1. Using a deep pot, pour 1 tbsp olive oil and saute garlic and onions on a medium heat for about 3 minutes.
2. Put some more olive oil and brown diced pork. 
3. Add lemon pepper, honey and soy sauce. Mix and then simmer for about 15 minutes. 
4. Pour water with diluted cornstarch. Let it boil.
5. Add carrots and celery. Cook for about 3 minutes.
6. Mix in flour stick (pancit canton).

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Rump Roast with Home Made Gravy Sauce

Extra soft meat that almost pulled out into pieces. This is how my husband described this recipe that I experimented based on what I see from the store. Last time I went grocery shopping, I saw a meat package that has veggies in it. I did not look at it since I need to hurry up going to another section. All I know was that the meat package has carrots and potatoes in it. In my thought maybe it was for soup so I decided to make dinner soup and stew with a twist. I want it to be a little bit creamy and it turned out good.

Ingredients

Gravy Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 3 beef cubes
• 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 1 garlic glove
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/8 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chopped onions

Rump Roast Ingredients

• 2 lbs rump roast (cut into pieces)
• 4 medium carrots (cut)
• 4 red potatoes (cut)
• 1 yellow onion (sliced)
• 2 celery ribs (cut)
• 1 tsp lemon pepper
• 3 garlic gloves (crushed)
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cup water

Cooking Instruction

Gravy Sauce 

1. Saute garlic and onions in butter on a medium heat.
2. Mix all ingredients except 1/2 cup water and cornstarch.
3. Bring to boil.
4. Meanwhile,dissolve cornstarch into 1/2 cup water.
5. Add to gravy mixture and stir until desired thickness is reached.

Rump Roast with Homemade Gravy

1. On a medium size deep pan, mix carrots, onions, celery, and  potatoes.
2. Add lemon pepper, salt and ground pepper.
3. Put cut rump roast on top of mixed ingredients.
4. Add homemade gravy and additional 1/2 cup water.
5. Bring to boil over medium heat.
6. Reduce heat to low and cook for another 2 hours

  

 

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