The memories still linger in my mind when I started cooking, which was when I was in my elementary years. Among all the chores, I chose cooking because I wanted to discover and practice more of my skills. The passion always remains in my heart; that is why every time I cook, I ensure that it turns out into a delicious dish.
I may not be a professional chef, but I can learn from attending trainings and seminars, or I can search on Google to enhance my cooking skills. Remember the quote, 'If there's a will, there's a way.'- (Angela Merkel) We should always be positive in doing things.
When I think of my future and what I can have after retirement, surely I will start an eatery business. Maybe I can even serve you all for free when the right time comes.
Picture was taken from my coteacher
Celebrating birthdays is a significant event that we should treasure. As we celebrate the birthday of our beloved school principal, I was assigned to cook in the kitchen.
The preparation of my Native Chicken Soup with Vegetables
The following are the ingredients for my first menu: native chicken, ginger, garlic, onion, lemongrass, lemon, cayenne pepper, chayote (vegetable peas), gabi (taro), and cabbage.
The simple steps are as follows: first, marinate the chicken meat with lemon, garlic, onion, black pepper, and salt for 10 minutes. After that, prepare a pan and put it on the stove. Feel the heat of the pan and add a little oil to it. Sauté the garlic, onion, and chicken. Cover the pan for a minute and add water for the soup.
Some of the ingredients are in the pan waiting to boil more and for the chicken meat to become tender. I continue to cook until I smell the fragrance of the ginger and lemongrass. Almost perfect, so I put the last ingredient which is the cabbage and mix thoroughly. To enhance the flavor, I add salt and a small amount of black pepper.
This is a Filipino food that is favored by all, as everyone likes to taste this delicious dish. You can taste the mixture of ginger and lemongrass in the soup. It soothes our throat and gives refreshment to our stomach. Surely you will love this too!
My Second Menu for this Event ( Chicken Afritada)
It looked sweet and delicious; this was my second option. The ingredients were being prepared beforehand. Carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, garlic, and onions are cut into desired sizes. The chicken is marinated with soy sauce and a little black pepper.
Sauté the onions, garlic, and marinated chicken in a pan. Cover and wait until the chicken turns slightly brown. Add the potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers; mix and add a little water. Let it boil and add tomato sauce, cornstarch, green peas, pineapple, and a little sugar to balance the taste. Cover and wait for a few minutes until all the ingredients are cooked.
This food is also nutritious because it has different vegetables in it. Try making your own chicken afritada at home; I know your family loves to eat that too.
My third menu is always present in every birthday celebration because, according to our lolas (grandmothers), this food symbolizes long life.
My Homemade Bam-e
Pancit, spaghetti, Bam-e or Bihon - choose one for your birthday and I will cook it for you. This time I chose Bam-e as an additional menu for everybody to share. Eating together during celebrations strengthens our stomachs, hehehe oops I'm sorry it strengthens the good relationship we have with each other.
My last menu for the day (Vegetable Lumpia)
Wrapping lumpia is enjoyable, but it needs more of your patience. And surely all of your efforts will be paid off when you've seen the smiling faces of the visitors eating your prepared lumpia
Food is the main highlight during gatherings like birthdays, so it is important for the cook (kusinera) to always do their best in cooking all the dishes.
Something unforgettable on the part of the cook is when the guests and visitors like your food that you serve.
I hope you did not get bored reading my blog. Don't forget to press the 💙 for my upvote. Thank you and God bless us all!