What To Know About Gourmet? #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

What To Know About Gourmet? #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

A person who loves to cook and experiment often spend great amount of money for foods and its ingredients. Well, it’s not really bad as long as you know that the brands of your cooking ingredients are reliable and known for being the trusted company. There are many brands to mention if we are looking for these products, one of them is the gourmet products. This company or idea are known for being the oldest and trusted on selling culinary product. They have many products in the stores that are essential to our house. Like foods, drinks and etc.

The gourmet has many kinds of products which are made by their own people. You choose from their drinks, seasonings, raw foods, meats and chocolates. They are also giving some tips or ideas on how to cook right. They produce some recipes for the mothers or to those who loves to cook. You can see them all on their own magazines and you can get some other ideas about culinary arts. They are not only offering thing that pertains to food but they also cover the whole kitchen items and the stuff that you need to see there, like flat wares and other necessary stuff in cooking. But if you want to taste tem all with out being tired and exposing to the fire, you can go to the nearest gourmet restaurant and try all their delicious menus. This is the best way to satisfy the want and to taste great flavored foods of gourmet for those who are not good in cooking. They have a classy restaurant which is really expensive but worthwhile.

Mostly of the people who are eating or purchasing of their products are those who are rich or wealthy, but it is not a matter because they can offer you a good service. Usually they have the place that is cozy and relaxing. The gourmet restaurants are commonly on the places with a great view and ambiance which is apt to those class people. But to those who really want to experience their foods, you can learn their cooking technique and try it on your own house.



Source: Liza Mackinze. Learn more about Gourmet at BAKERS RACK HOUSE and ARTICLE CITY

Beef Brisket Adobo with Coconut Milk #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

A typical Filipino dish with tangy taste coupled with coconut milk makes this recipe a delicious meal. You can make with your own version, as long as the tanginess still the core element of the taste.

Beef Brisket Adobo with Coconut Milk #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Ingredients:

Vegetable Oil- 3 tbsps
Onions, chopped- 1 pc (large)
Garlic, minced - 1 tbsp
Beef Cubes- ½ kilo
Vinegar- ¾ cup
Salt- 2 tsps
Pepper - 1 tsp
Water- 1 cup
Coconut milk- 1 cup
Finger pepper- 1 pc
Coconut cream- ¼ cup

Procedures:

1. Heat the oil in a deep pan. Sauté onions and garlic.

2. Add beef cubes and cook until color changes.Add vinegar, salt, pepper and cook over moderate heat until sauce is reduced to its original amount. Do not stir until mixture boils.

3. Add water and cook covered until beef is tender.Add coconut milk and finger pepper and allow to simmer for 10 minutes over low heat.

4. Pour in coconut cream and allow to simmer for another 5 minutes over low heat. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Pork and Beef Humba #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Some Filipinos treated this recipe as adobo. The difference is the black beans being added to add flavor. Also, try the combination of pork and beef meats. You can add potatoes, banana (saba), red bell pepper and green onion leaves if you like.



Pork and Beef Humba #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Ingredients:

1/2 kilograms pork belly, cut in cubes
1/2 kilograms beef, cubes
2 tbsp garlic, crushed
2 small onion, chopped
1 cup vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
6 bay leaves
2 cup rice water
1/2 tbsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp salted black beans
Cooking oil

Procedures:

1) Marinate pork in soy sauce and pepper for 1 hour or overnight.

2) Saute garlic and onion. Add pork from the marinade and bay leaves. Stir fry for few minutes until pork starts to render its oily fat.

3) Add rice water, then bring to a boil until most of the liquid has evaporated.

4) Add vinegar but do not stir in order not to over sour the flavor. Boil few minutes, then add the brown sugar stirring once in a while.

5) Simmer until a saucy consistency is achieved. Adjust seasoning with soy sauce according to taste.

6) Serve hot.

Beef Tapa with Pineapple Salsa #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

The pineapple salsa on the side brings a refreshing touch to a breakfast classic. You can substitute beef with any meats of your choice. Serves 4.


Beef Tapa with Pineapple Salsa #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Ingredients:

750 grams beef tapa (bought or make your own)
2 tablespoons cooking oil
3 cloves crushed garlic
5 cups steamed white rice
salt and pepper to taste

For the Pineapple Salsa:

1 cucumber, chopped
4 red tomatoes, chopped
1 white onion, chopped
100 grams coriander, chopped
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
salt and black pepper to taste

Procedures:

1 In a wok, heat cooking oil on medium flame. Fry beef tapa until light golden brown. Remove beef tapa from the pan and set aside.

2 Add crushed garlic and steamed white rice to remaining oil in the wok. Season to taste.

3 Make the Salsa Pineapple Salsa: In a bowl, combine cucumber, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.

4 To serve, lay beef tapa on top of the pineapple salsa.

Breaded Boneless Pork Chops #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Boneless pork chops are simmered to perfection with a simple combination of vegetables, a little flour and seasonings, and chicken broth. Serve these tasty pork chops with potatoes or macaroni and cheese for a fabulous everyday family meal. You can add your own ideas on how to cook this dish and side dish too.


Breaded Boneless Pork Chops #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 pork chops, boneless
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 teaspoons Cajun or Creole seasoning
• 2 tablespoon butter or more olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Procedures:

1) Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

2) Combine 3 tablespoons of flour and the Cajun seasoning.

3) Coat pork chops thoroughly then brown on both sides in the hot oil.

4) Remove to a plate and add the butter to the skillet. Add onion, green pepper, and celery and cook, stirring, until slightly wilted.

5) Stir in flour until blended. Stir in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add the pork chops to the skillet, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until pork is tender.

6) Cooking time for 1 hour.

7) Serves 4.

Ensaymada Bread #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

A soft texture bread with creamy taste topped with melted butter, grated cheese and white refined sugar. You can create your own toppings of your choice.


Ensaymada Bread #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Ingredients:

1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 cup warm water
4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon salt
8 egg yolks
4 cups all-purpose flour
Melted butter for brushing
grated cheese

Procedures:

1) Dissolve the sugar in the warm water. Add the yeast and let stand until softened.

2) Add flour gradually until well blended. Cover bowl with a damp cloth and set aside in warm place for 30 minutes.

3) Meanwhile, cream butter and sugar thoroughly; add salt and egg yolks, beating well after each addition. Add all-purpose flour gradually, blending well. Add this mixture to the sponge yeast. Mix well.

4) Put dough in slightly greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours.

5) Punch down. Divide dough into desired size of rolls. Roll out thinly.

6) Spread surface with melted butter and sprinkle with grated cheese. Roll as in jelly roll, starting from the lower left hand corner.

7) Place in greased ensaymada molds. Let rise for 2 hours.

8) Bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees F for from 10 to 15 minutes.

9) After taking out from oven, brush with butter and sprinkle with grated cheese and sugar. Yield: 2 dozens.

Spanish Callos #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Callos had originated from Spain and it is one of the loved dishes in the Philippines, it a slow cooked stew that is made out of beef tripe; cooked with chick peas, tomatoes, paprika and Chorizo. This version uses a mix of tripe, chorizo and pork leg meat.



Spanish Callos #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Ingredients:

400g Ox Tripe, cleaned and cut into 1.5 x .5 in strips
400g Pork Leg meat, cubed
2 pcs chorizo, sliced
1 whole garlic, minced
1 whole red onion, chopped
1 tsp ground pepper
3 pcs bay leaf
1 1/2 cups chick peas, cooked
2 red capsicums, cubed
1/2 cup Tomato Paste
4 pcs tomatoes, diced
5 cups of beef stock
3 tbsp soy sauce
fish sauce
fried garlic
olive oil

Procedures:

1. In a pot sauté garlic and onions in olive oil, cook until garlic is golden brown.

2. Add tomatoes, tripe and stir fry then add 4 cups of beef stock. Bring to a boil and slowly simmer for 1.5 hrs. add more beef stock if necessary.

3. Add the pork, chorizo, tomato paste, bay leaf, chickpeas, soy sauce and simmer for 45 more minutes.

4. Finally add capsicums and flavour with fish sauce and simmer for 25 minutes.

5. Serve and top with fried garlic.

Chinese Dumplings: Jiaozi #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Chinese dumplings (Jiaozi) are very popular during the Chinese New Year season. A very flavorful food that goes with a dipping sauce of your choice.



Chinese Dumplings: Jiaozi #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Ingredients:

Jiaozi dough:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• up to 1 1/4 cups cold water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling:

• 1 cup ground pork or beef
• 1 TB soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 TB Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, or to taste
• 3 TB sesame oil
• 1/2 green onion, finely minced
• 1 1/2 cups finely shredded Napa cabbage
• 4 tablespoons shredded bamboo shoots
• 2 slices fresh ginger, finely minced
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely minced

Procedures:

1) Stir the salt into the flour. Slowly stir in the cold water, adding as much as is necessary to form smooth dough. Don't add more water than is necessary. Knead the dough into a smooth ball. Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.

2) While the dough is resting, prepare the filling ingredients. Add the soy sauce, salt, rice wine and white pepper to the meat, stirring in only one direction. Add the remaining ingredients, stirring in the same direction, and mix well.

3) To make the dumpling dough: knead the dough until it forms a smooth ball. Divide the dough into 60 pieces. Roll each piece out into a circle about 3-inches in diameter.

4) Place a small portion (about 1 level tablespoon) of the filling into the middle of each wrapper. Wet the edges of the dumpling with water. Fold the dough over the filling into a half moon shape and pinch the edges to seal. Continue with the remainder of the dumplings.

5) To cook, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add half the dumplings, giving them a gentle stir so they don't stick together. Bring the water to a boil, and add 1/2 cup of cold water. Cover and repeat. When the dumplings come to a boil for a third time, they are ready. Drain and remove. If desired, they can be pan-fried at this point.

Which Logo is Tastier? KFC VS. McDonald's #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Which Logo is Tastier? KFC VS. McDonald's #PhilippineRestaurantMenu


It is not the advertising, but logos that helps mostly to recognize the fast food chains.

Kentucky Fried Chicken was established by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952. It is him who one can see on the logo already for 50 years. There were five changes of the KFC’s logo during half of the decade. The last logo that was appeared in year 2006 can be voted as the best among previous four.

Sanders looks even friendlier and younger. His white suit was changed for a red cook’s apron, the colors are bolder and the background is red and matches with Colonel’s rep apron. It is interesting to mention that the logo has its own symbolism. It symbolizes the “home-style culinary heritage” of the brand and remind customers that KFC chicken is prepared by hand, just like Colonel Sanders prepared it 50 years ago. Graham Allan, president of Yum’s international restaurant division, said many people don’t realize that Sanders existed and started the company on his own. Considering the fact that now Sanders is in an apron, Gregg Dedrick, president of KFC’s U.S. division says: “This change gives us a chance not only to make sure we stay relevant but also communicates to customers the realness of Colonel Sanders and the fact that he was a chef.”

As one can see the main color of KFC logo is red – it appears both as on the font of the logo and on the Sanders' apron. It is well known that the red color evokes hunger, that is one of the main reasons why one chooses KFC as the place to satisfy hunger.

As for McDonald’s the interesting fact about their logo is that the first one that appeared on the restaurant established in 1937, in Southern California, didn’t have any connection with well-known arches. It had more likely the idea of KFC’s logo – the chef character named “Speedy” was portrayed on it. And only in the year 1953 the arches were introduced.

Since then not many changes appeared on the McDonald’s logo presenting – two yellow arches with the red font were usual for more than fifty years. In 2007, Tired of being held up as an example of corporate evil and greed, the fast food chain has been striking out at critics with a series of environmental and social initiatives designed to prove that it cares and has decided to change the usual red font for the green one. Many people did not like this change saying that now McDonald's looks better, but still the food is junk. But despite this, after McDonald’s went greener, the sales in Europe and US raised dramatically.

Space doesn’t need fast food, people do.

It can be said that KFC positioned itself as fast-food for everyone, friendly for business people and for the younger generations. In 2006 KFC launched Global ReImage an 87,500 Square-Foot KFC logo in Area 51, in Nevada which can be seen from space.

The question stands, what was the point of this sort of advertising campaign, if usual customers will not ever see it or even know about it. It can be assumed that maybe KFC wanted to have customers among aliens, because it is evident that such campaign will not probably increase the amount of customers among people who don’t fly into space every day.




In contrast to KFC, McDonald’s works hard for the target audience. Over the years, McDonalds added tiny details to the logo to communicate with different social classes and nationalities. The variant of ‘M’ where the edges are sharper focuses on a more solid, business-like and corporate character.

The arches are wider, have the brighter yellow color and the imitation of drawing and express all the elements that contribute to the attempted young-spirited vision. Also, the wider arches used in when advertising McDonald’s on the road as a street/road sign, drivers could see it more easily. Moreover the color also "pays attention" to the audience because this color symbolizes warmth and happiness.

McDonald’s tries to please the eyes of customers from different countries. For example, the ‘M’ has a maple leaf in the middle and the slogan “I’m lovin’ it” and is translated in Canadian French.

In the German variant, the arches are more sharp probably because of Germans’ orientation towards professionalism, stability and perfectionism.

Since its establishment, every restaurant tried to adapt to the particularities and cultural differences across the world and now following the society and market trends the logo got its green font.

“Historic values” can’t be the main values in the market business.

McDonald’s was always working and still works for target audience and market trends. In contrast KFC is more passionate about the history, or to be more precise, the ‘father’ of the chain, so that they show Colonel Sanders even from space, but this strategy will never raise their sales. In-turn, McDonald's is the world's first fast-food and beverage brand in more than 120 countries around the world and more than 30,000 branches worldwide. According to the annual report of the year 2010, the average number of customers served every day McDonald's is 64 million, that's twice the number when compared to KFC. Maybe if KFC begins to think more about their target audience and pays less attention to keeping ‘family values’ it could become as desirable as McDonalds.



Source: Alexandra Muravyeva. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/alexandra-muravyeva/46/549/a99 and Published-Articles.com

Hearty Dinner Braised Lamb Shanks #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

This slow-braised lamb shanks recipe produces incredibly flavorful, succulent, fork-tender meat. Lamb shanks make a great hearty dinner, and reheat beautifully.



Hearty Dinner Braised Lamb Shanks #PhilippineRestaurantMenu

Makes 6 Braised Lamb Shanks


Ingredients:

• 6 lamb shanks, about 5 1/2 pounds
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 rib celery, diced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup drinkable red wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves

Procedures:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

2. Place the shanks in a deep, 15 x 10 inch baking dish, or similar sized roasting pan, large enough to fit the shanks in one layer. Rub with the olive oil, dried rosemary and thyme. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Roast for 30 minutes to brown the lamb.

3. While the lamb is browning, place a saucepan on medium-high heat, and add the butter. When the butter foams, add the onion, celery, and carrot. Cook for about 6-7 minutes, or until the vegetables soften and the edges start to brown and caramelize.

4. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the wine. When the wine comes to a boil, add the chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, water, and cinnamon. Bring back to a boil, turn off and reserve.

5. When the lamb has finished browning, remove, and turn the oven down to 325 degrees F. Pour over the sauce mixture, and distribute evenly. Cover with heavy-duty foil, crimping the edges to form a tight seal. Roast for 1 hour, lift the foil, turn over the shanks, rewrap and cook for 1 more hour, or until fork tender. Remove the lamb shanks to a large bowl and cover with foil to keep warm.

6. Pour the braising liquid into a saucepan and boil on high heat for 10 minutes, or until reduced by half and slight thickened. As the sauce reduces the fat will pool up in the center of the pan and should be skimmed off with a ladle. Add the fresh rosemary, taste and adjust for seasoning. Transfer the lamb shanks to a serving platter, and serve topped with the sauce.