Melt-in-the-mouth Chocolate Cake

Decadent.... addicting.. chocoholic's dream... only a few words that can describe this moist chocolate cake.  It is very much in demand during birthday parties and other special occasions!

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted
3 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups cocoa powder, unsifted
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
3 pieces eggs
1 1/2 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup corn or soya oil
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup boiling water

1.  Grease a 13x9x2 1/4 inch baking pan

2.  Combine all ingredients together except for boiling water.

3.  Beat at medium speed, about 3 minutes, then at high speed for 2 minutes.

4.  Add boiling water.  Blend well. (Resulting mixture has thin consistency).  Pour onto prepared pan.  Bake at preheated 350F oven  for 45 minutes.  Remove pan from oven and cool before inverting pan onto cake

rack.  Cool cake completely.

CHOCOLATE ICING:

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup unsifted cocoa powder

2  300ml cans condensed milk

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1.  In double boiler, over boiling water, melt butter and cocoa powder together.  Stir smooth ans free from lumps.

2.  Add slowly.  Using wire whisk, stir mixture continuously until thick and of spreading consistency.

3.  Cool icing before spreading on cake.

Guinataang Bilo Bilo ( Rice Balls with Coconut Milk )

Ginataan, alternatively spelled guinataan, is a Filipino term which refers to food cooked with "gata" - the Filipino word for coconut milk. Literally translated , ginataan means "done with coconut milk".  Due to general nature of the term, it can refer to a number of different dishes, each called ginataan, but distinct from one another. If gummy balls made of pounded  glutinous rice are added, it becomes a dish called bilo-bilo.

1 cup malagkit ( glutinous rice flour )

1 cup sugar

3 cups coconut milk. diluted with 1/2 cup water

1 cup sugar

2 cups large pearl tapioca (sago)

1 1/2 cups coconut cream

langka (jackfruit), cut in strips (optional)

1.  Blend flour and water and blend them into dough.  Shape into balls measuring 1/4 diameter. 

2.  In a large pot, bring coconut milk, sugar, and tapioca to a boil.  When tapioca turns transparent in color, add the rice balls.

3.  Add remaining pure coconut milk when the rice balls are soft and firm.  Boil for 5 more minutes.

4.  Serve hot.

Won Ton Cheese Sticks

It's perfect for snack! :)

1 package won ton wrappers (100 pieces)

1 large bar Cheddar cheese (500 grams)

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon cornstarch, plus additional for dusting

1/2 cup cooking oil

Sugar for dusting (optional )

1.  Put won ton wrappers on a clean plate or cutting board.  Slice cheese lengthwise into sticks and set aside on a clean plate.

2.  Pour water into a small bowl and add the cornstarch.  Mix water and cornstarch until smooth.

3.  Put a cheese stick diagonally on the center of two (stuck together) won ton wrappers.  Fold the opposite ends of the wrappers onto the cheese.  Fold pointed end of wrappers over then under the cheese.  Roll wrappers just until the tip.

4.  Mix together water and cornstarch.  Dip a tablespoon lightly into the water/cornstarch mixture and use this to moisten the tip of the wrapper.  This acts as a "paste" to seal the wrappers.  Fold the wrapper completely and press to seal tightly. 

     Repeat with remaining wrappers and cheese sticks.

5.  Put all the wrapped cheese sticks into a large tray or plate and wipe surfaces with clean paper towel.  Or dust lightly with cornstarch.

     Put frying pan on stove and turn on the burner.  Let heat one minute then pour in cooking oil.  Let cooking oil heat about one minute.  Put 4 to 5 pieces cheese sticks into the hot oil.  Let cook until bottom side turns brown.

     Turn cheese sticks over to brown other side evenly.

     Remove cheese sticks from pan and drain on paper towels.  Repeat with remaining cheese sticks.

     If desired, dust with sugar before serving.

Courtesy: Food Magazine

New Year's Eve Celebration

I celebrated New Year's Eve with my family at home. Firecrackers are not allowed here in Davao City so we just made noises through playing music so loud or using torotot ( horn ).  Here are some photos of the food we prepared during the New year's eve! ( All Rights Reserved )

1.  Assorted candies and chocolates

2.  Ginataang Bilo Bilo

3.  Oatmeal cookies and Brownies

4.  Embutido

5.  12 kinds of fruits

6.  Gelatin with milk

7.  Excellente Ham

8.  Ginataang hipon

9.  Matambaka

10.  Pansit Sotanghon

11.  Puto and Banana Cupcake

Let's eat! Happy New Year!