Pla Sam Rod

Sauce for Fish
2 Tbsp Tamarind
2 Tbsp Palm Sugar
1 TbspFish Sauce
1/4 Cup Water
10 Garlic cloves, finely minced
1-2Thai Chili's, finely minced
2 Stalks Green Onion, fine circular cut
1 Tbsp Oil

Saute minced garlic and Chilies till fragrant, add Tamarind, Palm Sugar, Fish Sauce and Water. Simmer until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Toss in green onions after the sauce is pulled from heat.

Fish
6-8 Pieces of Cod Fillets
2 Eggs
1/3 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Flour
2 Cups Panko
1 inch Oil in a pan

Dip cod fillet into flour, then into milk-eggwash, then through the panko crumbs pressing to embed the panko onto the fish. Fry in an inch of hot (but not scorching) oil till golden brown on each side. Remove to paper towel, pat fish if there is any excess oil. Set on serving platter, top with sauce and fried basil. Serve immediately.

Garnish Fried Holy Basil Leaves
Throw basil into hot oil and fry briefly (do this before frying the fish to perfume the oil).

Shrimp Egg Foo Young

2 cups bean sprouts
3 spring onions cut
10 large shrimp cut in half or other shrimp
4 large eggs
1Tsp cornstarch
Add thinly slivered white onion if desired

Place sprouts, shrimp, spring onions and eggs in a large mixing bowl using your hand, mix all ingredients together until incorporated. You will want to break the sprouts as you go and be sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved into the egg mixture.

Heat an inch of oil in the bottom of a wok, get your oil hot enough to make one of the sprouts sizzle. Using a ladle, fill it with the mixture incorporating the egg as well, slowly lower the egg mixture into the hot oil keeping it circular. Repeat with a second ladle.

The mixture should make four patties in two batches. Cook on one side about 3 minutes, ladle a little oil over the top of the patty to set egg, carefully flip and cook for another minute or two. Note a second technique is to deep fry the patty, lower the ladle directly into the fryer, only release the patty into the oil, once the patty has fully formed. Make sure the ladle you use has a rubber handle or you can burn your hand if it heats up.

I always set the patty directly on top of folded paper towels, top with another paper towel and push out any excess oil, but do what you want.

The gravy is a no-brainer, it is merely 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, a pinch of sugar, 1 cup of water and a tablespoon of corn starch. Bring to a rapid simmer on top of the stove, heat through completely and thicken.

Garnish with cut spring onions.

Note* you can use chicken, pork or beef instead of shrimp, you should, however, cook and cool any meats you choose to add first. Shrimp should be added raw as it cooks quickly. You can also make an all vegetable patty. Some veggies should be cooked first as they may be hard in texture. Either way, you can really play with the ingredient profile, bean sprouts and green onion are standard and sprouts give it structure.  

Note* If you want to eat your egg foo young with a twist serve it up as a St. Paul Sandwich. This is a St. Louis takeout chop suey house item invented by Steven Yuen (who's hometown was St. Paul). The sandwich consists of an egg foo young patty on square white bread with mayo or Miracle Whip, iceberg lettuce, tomato, and pickle slices (with or without sliced white onion). You will either love it or hate it.

Pad Thai Deluxe

For the Sauce
6 tsp Patis (fish sauce) salty taste
1-1 1/2 Tbsp Tamarind Paste Concentrate, sour taste
4 tbsp Palm Sugar Paste*see note obviously a sweet taste
1/8 cup water, if needed. (if noodles are sticking together or too dry)

I always mix the ingredients in a small bowl for easier stir-frying; you can grab only a few bottles while trying to keep the wok moving. The other reason is taste; every person has a different sweet, sour, and salty pallet. Pad Thai sauce varies in every place I have ever eaten. Some are very heavy on the sour of the tamarind, while others are more balanced. Mixing your sauce ingredients first, you have exactly the taste you want; there is no right or wrong; it is merely a preference.

These are the ingredients for the excellent Pad Thai Sauce. Fish sauce, palm sugar, and Tamarind paste. Additionally, though you can add a dab of Nam Prik Pao or even just a little straight Asian chile paste, this is optional.

For the Dish
8-9 oz Thai Rice Noodles, pre-soak in warm water (don't over soak, leave flexible but firm)
4 tbsp Peanut Oil
6 oz (abt.) 10 Jumbo Shrimp
1 cup Chicken sliced, then chopped bite-sized
1/2 cup Tofu cut into half-inch rectangles (pre-soak in a little of the prepared sauce in a plastic baggie)
5 Cloves of Garlic
2-3 Shallots, sliced thin
2-3 dried whole Thai Red Chili, aka Bird's eye chili (optional)
2 tbsp Pickled Radish (sweet) (I didn't have any this time)
2 large Eggs
1/8 to 1/4 cup water  (if needed to help with the softening of the noodles)
add at the end of cooking and stir-fry briefly
1 cup sliced longwise, then chopped 1/2 inch
2 cups fresh bean sprouts
Fresh Garnishes
extra fresh sprouts, if desired
1/2 bunch Fresh Cilantro, trimmed (this is optional and dependent on taste preference, not traditional)
1/2 cup unsalted crushed peanuts
fresh lime wedges

The add-in ingredients are all prepped before cooking starts.

I usually season the chicken breast with salt and pepper before stir-frying it.

Tofu is the first item to go into the wok; you want to fry it crispy. Don't worry about it drinking up oil; it won't.

Next, I like to saute the shrimp until just done and remove it to a bowl with the Tofu. Add it back in later. 

Saute the garlic and Thai chili pepper, add shallots, and cook till fragrant and golden.

Add in chicken and saute till just done.

Add 2 tablespoons more oil to the pan and have a small amount of water on hand. Add the pre-soaked, drained noodles and stir-fry for about two minutes. If the noodles are sticking or gummy, skip to the next step... or use fresh refrigerated Pad Thai noodles

Add the sauce and a slight drizzle of water, continue stir-frying, and test a noodle for doneness.

Crack 3 eggs into the wok and swirl the egg back and forth; continue to scramble, push noodles on top of an egg just before it is done, and toss well with noodles, chicken, garlic, shallots, chilies, and sauce.

Add the Tofu and shrimp back in and toss together with the ingredients. Add sprouts and green onion. Stir fry for another minute. Remove the contents of the wok to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with crushed peanuts, green onions, fresh sprouts, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Notes*
Palm Sugar Paste (sap tapped from the trunk of a sugar palm tree, semi-crystallized into a paste  )
Tamarind, a sour fruit
Patis Fish Sauce, get a good one; don't buy that garbage in the grocery store.
Many authentic recipes contain a little bit of dried shrimp. My pallet finds the intense fishiness and aroma unpleasant. I'm being honest about my American pallet. If it is something you like, toss in a teaspoon during cooking.

Thai Beef Fried Rice

I love Thai fried rice it is fragrant and nowhere near as oily as traditional Chinese fried rice. I love the heat of the Thai Chili, the flavor, and aroma of Thai Holy Basil and the delicate taste of shallots, what is not to love. I prefer the Pineapple fried rice for myself however my other half loves beef so that is what I am preparing this time.

Thai Basil has a somewhat licorice, peppery flavor. Thai Chili's (birdseye chilies) have a wonderful heat. Shallots offer a delicate onion flavor and garlic, well what is not to love.

4 cups cooked Jasmine rice, day old and refrigerated overnight
1/4 pound beef, sliced then chopped small
4 Cloves Garlic smashed or minced
1-2 Fresh Thai Chili's, smashed or minced (optional)
1 Shallot, sliced very thin
3 eggs
Small handful of Thai Holy Basil Leaves  (no, you cannot substitute Italian sweet basil)
2 stalks Green onions, cut
2 Tbsp Oil

2 Tbsp Fish Sauce
2 Tbsp Soy
2 Tsp Palm Sugar or regular sugar

My personal advise is to combine the fish sauce, soy sauce and sugar together in a small bowl. Make sure the sugar dissolves, microwave for 30 seconds if needed. Add a little at a time to your rice till you hit the right amount of sauce for you. (Oyster sauce and Sweet Soy are not traditional, sometimes I add a few dribbles into my sauce mix, however that is a personal preference).

Heat oil in wok till hot, add garlic and stir-fry a few seconds, add shallots and optional Thai chili, stir fry for another few second, add beef and cook till just done. Add rice, chop to break up and toss with other ingredients till well incorporated and mostly cooked. Scoot aside rice mixture, crack two egg into wok in are made available by moved rice mixture, swirl and scramble with the spatula till mostly cooked, toss rice on top of egg mixture, toss everything together and stir fry another minute. Add sauces and sugar, continue stirring till distributed. Add Thai Holy basil and green onions, cook another few seconds. Remove a serving to a bowl and top with fried egg. Immediately remove from wok to a plate or bowl. Garnish with a sprinkle of black pepper.

Serve with a side of Prik Nam Pla

3 Tbsp Fish Sauce
4-5 Thai chili's small sliced
1/2 to 1 Lime, juiced per taste

In a small bowl combine all ingredients and stir to combine.

Thai Fried Breakfast Rice with a Spam and Egg Twist

3 cups cooked Jasmine rice, day old and refrigerated overnight
3 1/4 inch thick slices of Spam, diced
4 Cloves Garlic smashed or minced
1-2 Fresh Thai Chili's, smashed or minced (optional)
1//2 small onion, sliced into slivers, then slivers cut in 1/4ths, (or shallots if you have them)
2 eggs
Small handful of Thai Holy Basil Leaves  (no, you cannot substitute Italian sweet basil)
2 stalks Green onions, cut
1 1/2 Tsp Oyster Sauce
1 1/2 Tsp Soy
1 Tsp Sugar
2 Tbsp Oil

Heat oil in wok till hot, crack 1 whole egg into hot oil, allow to fry, spoon hot oil over the top of the egg, cooked to desired doneness, remove egg to a small plate and set aside.  Drop in diced spam and fry to desired crispiness, add garlic and stir-fry a few seconds, add onion or shallots and optional Thai chili, stir fry for another few second, add rice, chop to break up and toss with other ingredients till well incorporated and mostly cooked. Scoot aside rice mixture, crack two egg into wok in are made available by moved rice mixture, swirl and scramble with the spatula till mostly cooked, toss rice on top of egg mixture, toss everything together and stir fry another minute. Add sauces and sugar, continue stirring till distributed. Add Thai Holy basil and green onions, cook anther few seconds. Remove a serving to a bowl and top with fried egg. Immediately remove from wok to a plate or bowl. Garnish with a sprinkle of black pepper and addition green onion.

Serve with a side of Prik Nam Pla

3 Tbsp Fish Sauce
4-5 Thai chili's small sliced
1/2 to 1 Lime, juiced per taste

In a small bowl combine all ingredients and stir to combine.

Garlic Beef

1-2 Pounds of sirloin, sliced very thin and chopped
15 cloves or whole bulb garlic, minced (4 heaping Tbsp)
3 small onions, cut into slivers
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tbsp sweet soy
1 tbsp tamarind paste
3 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp Chinese chili paste
1-2 tbsp oil

Consider adding a vegetable like peas, broccoli raab etc...

Heat oil in a skillet, add all minced garlic and saute 1 minute, add beef and cook stirring, cook till meat just loses its pink color, add white onion, saute another minute, add sauces, water and chili paste with black pepper. simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
Serve over steamed rice, garnish with scallion and extra chili paste if desired

Pancit Bihon

2-3 tbsp
1 onion sliced thin
6 cloves of garlic, processed
1 lb pork finely cut or ground
16 oz Shrimp
1 Chicken breast cut 1/2 of a bite-size
2 tbsp Toymansi  (Soy sauce/calamansi combo)
2 tsp fish sauce
2 cups cabbage shredded
1 large carrot cut into matchsticks
2 cups chicken broth

Garnish
4 green onions, cut lengthwise and then in 1/4th.
Lime wedges


Saute garlic and onion until tender; add pork and chicken; cook until chicken and pork browns; add vegetables, Toymansi, fish sauce, pepper, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, add noodles lower to a simmer. Once the noodles have softened, gently stir and press them into the liquid until covered. Place shrimp on top of noodles, press into liquid, and cook until shrimp are opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside. Stir the dish gently and cook until the liquid is absorbed. Return shrimp to the dish and toss.

Filipino BBQ Pork

Marinade

3 pounds of pork steak, cut into thin cubes
6 Cloves Garlic finely minced or crushed
1/4 Cup Toyomansi (Soy with Calamansi)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup banana ketchup
2 tbsp sweet soy (thick soy)
1/3 cup 7 up

Mix all ingredients together, place in a nonreactive bowl with pork, cover and refrigerate overnight.

1 Hour before grilling, cover wooden skewers in hot water and allow to soak.

BBQ Sauce

6 Garlic finely minced or crushed
1/3 cup Toyomansi
2 tbsp thick soy
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/3 cup banana ketchup
1/4 cup 7up

Place all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a simmer, cook about 5 minutes for the flavors to incorporate.

Grill the pork skewers on a charcoal grill. Begin brushing with sauce upon the first turn. These should be flipped 6 to 8 times, brushing with the bbq sauce as you go. You want to achieve a grilled, caramelized appearance with a little charring.

It is good when you drizzle a little of the leftover sauce on scoops of steamed jasmine rice to go with the pork. Enjoy.

Lumpia Shanghai

1 pound extra lean ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 finely grated carrot
2 cups angel hair cabbage, chopped fine
1/4 white onion, grated
4 stacks green onion minced fine
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp Toyomansi (Soy sauce with Calamansi)
2 tbsp sweet soy (thick soy)
1 tsp oyster sauce or fish sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 egg

Saute, garlic, carrot, cabbage and yellow onion briefly, set aside and allow to cool.
Place ground beef and pork in large bowl, add sauces and seasoning and break up with a serving fork, add cooled veggie mixture along with minced green onions. Using the fork mix all ingredients together well.

Beat egg and set aside to seal your wraps

Using Lumpia wrapper, spread 2 tablespoons of mixture completely across the bottom of the wrapper, roll tightly like a cigar, brush the end section of the wrapper with beaten egg and continue rolling to seal. Cut the roll in half.

Deep Fry at 350 until golden brown and cooked through.

Chicken Adobo Braised in a Dutch Oven

6 Chicken Thighs and Six Drumsticks, skin on
1 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
2 3/4 Vinegar
10 Garlic Cloves Crushed
1 Teaspoon whole black peppercorns
3 Bay Leaves
2 Crushed Chinese or Thai Chili (this is optional and not traditional, adjust amount to taste)
1 Cup of Water (do not add this during the marinade process, add right before it goes in the oven)


Place all ingredients in a gallon-sized freezer bag or tupperware-type container in the morning and allow to marinade for 6-8 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees, and transfer everything into a large enough Dutch oven that allows you to place the chicken in a single layer skin side up. Braise with the lid on for 35 minutes, Remove the cover, lower the temperature to 365, and continue cooking for 10 minutes.

The above photo shows the chicken after cooking, and the lid is first removed.

It will now cook without a lid, the sauce will reduce, and the skin with getting crispy. 

After the adobo is cooked with the lid off. Turn the broiler on for a few minutes. Watch it carefully, do not walk away. 

Serve over steamed rice.

The point in using the oven and the Dutch oven is the meat braising, the reduction and thickening of the sauce, and the crisping of the skin all in one pot. No transferring of meat to a broiler pan. It is a far superior way of cooking adobo than a rapid boil on the stove. Though my cooking time is a little longer, the meat does not dry out as it braises in the sauce the entire time.

Option 2

I make a ridiculous amount of sauce, so here is a more conservative amount.

1/3 Cup Filipino Cane Vinegar
1/4 Cup Toyamansi Sauce (Soy with a hint of Calamansi lime)
1/4 Cup Water
3 Bay Leaves
10 Smashed Black Peppercorns
10 Garlic Cloves minced (feel free to lessen the amount)
If you like spicy Thai chili, or 2, omit this together; it is not traditional.
Oil

Maputing Babae Lumpia

Note: This is the precooked filling version. If you wish to make the raw filling/cigar rolled Lumpia, see the bottom of the page for instructions.

1 pound ground pork
1 pound extra lean ground beef
1 inch slice of ginger, finely grated
1 bunch chives, finely minced by hand
5 cloves garlic, ground or fine minced in food processor
1 large carrot, finely grated
2 small celery stalks, chopped then minced in food processor
2 cups angel hair cabbage, then minced in food processor
1 cup small diced cooked but not too soft in boiling water (addition of potato is optional)*
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce


I recommend using a small food processor like my lil Ninja and a fine grater to mince your vegetables and aromatics, (except the chives, do that delicate aromatic by hand).

Place ground meat in a large skillet and brown, chop the meat finely as it cooks.

Once meat is halfway browned add garlic, ginger, carrot and cabbage.

Continue cooking till done. Add sauces and mix together well. Tip the pan and remove grease with a spoon, do not even try to put it in a strainer, you will lose your veggies. Remove from heat to a large bowl, toss in chives and allow mixture to completely cool. If you have chosen to add potatoes: Cook small diced potato in salt water till tender but not mushy. Strain potatoes, place in ice water till cold, strain again till dry, then toss cool dried potatoes through the mix,

Place about 2 tablespoons into a lumpia wrapper, fold it like an envelope, bottom corner up halfway, both sides folded in, roll and paint corner with egg wash and secure.

There is another method of rolling and cooking lumpia. You mix all ingredients together uncooked, add an egg to hold the mix together. Use only 1/1/2 tablespoons of mixture, roll like a tight cigar leaving the ends open. (do not overfill a cigar roll as it will not cook through) You will need to fry this a little longer and darker to cook it through. Both versions are good, it is a personal preference.

You can saute the vegetables and aromatics (except chives) first, then cool completely before adding to the raw meat mixture.

*If you are wondering why potato is in this recipe, it is because my husband's Filipino mother puts it in hers. I would recommend using potato in the precooked version only or omitting it if preferred.

Last note: Yes I used an egg roll wrapper, I am looking for a store that sells the lumpia wrappers or I will have to buy a non stick skillet and make my own.