Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Noche Buena Recipe: Morcon

Christmas in the Philippines will not be complete without the most awaited Noche Buena. This is the time where Pinoy families gather together on Christmas Eve to give thanks for the bountiful year and enjoy sumptuous dishes served at the table. If you’re still planning which dishes to serve on your Noche Buena, why not try this savory and rich meat dish called Morcon. This dish, considered to be one of Pampanga’s signature dishes is basically a meat roll (looks like an embutido) stuffed with sausage/chorizo, carrots, cheese and egg.



Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup finely chopped Spanish chorizos, skins removed
• 1 cup chopped carrots 1 cup raisins
• 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon liquid seasoning
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 Tablespoon paprika
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 whole onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 large can tomato sauce
• 1 can tomato paste
• 2 cups broth



Procedure:

• Mix in together the ground meats, eggs, cheese, chorizos, carrots, raisins, flour, soy sauce and seasonings in a large bowl. Make sure that you blend well all the ingredients. Shape this mixture into 3 large logs and individually in plastic wrap, then in aluminium foil and refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet. Saute the onions and then add the tomato sauce, paste and broth. When the sauce boils, lower your heat to simmer.
• Unwrap the meat rolls and place it in the simmering tomato sauce broth. Cook for about an hour and a half over a very low fire.
• Once cooked, allow the morcon meat rolls to linger in the sauce till ready to serve.
• Cut the rolls in half inch slices and serve with steaming rice

This recipe makes 3 large meat rolls (serves 4 to 6 each roll)

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Origami Stars - Easy DIY Christmas Home Decor Project

The holidays are just around the corner, and we're sure you're already right smack in the middle of your holiday preparations. After all, this season entails buying presents, attending and hosting parties, and of course, making sure that your house is holiday-ready!

Why don't you add a more personal touch to your house's holiday bling this year by trying out some DIY home decor projects?

So, are you ready for some craft-making fun? Check out our step-by-step guide to make the TOILET PAPER ROLL ORNAMENTS

ORIGAMI STARS

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You’ll need:

Origami paper (available at bookstores or Japanese discount stores)

Follow the step-by-step photos below to make this particular kind of origami stars.

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Friday, December 12, 2014

Toilet Paper Roll Ornaments - Easy DIY Christmas Home Decor Project

The holidays are just around the corner, and we're sure you're already right smack in the middle of your holiday preparations. After all, this season entails buying presents, attending and hosting parties, and of course, making sure that your house is holiday-ready!

Why don't you add a more personal touch to your house's holiday bling this year by trying out some DIY home decor projects?

So, are you ready for some craft-making fun? Check out our step-by-step guide to make the TOILET PAPER ROLL ORNAMENTS

TOILET PAPER ROLL ORNAMENTS

You’ll need:

• Toilet paper cores
• Scissors
• Glue gun
• Decorating supplies (glitter, buttons, scrapbooking materials, paint, etc.)

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1. Flatten a toilet paper roll and cut into segments, about 1/2-inch wide.

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2. Use glue gun to stick four segments at the center, fanning them out to create the shape of an asterisk.

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3. Decorate as desired. Should you wish to turn it into an ornament, loop twine under the edge of one segment, knot, and hang.

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Friday, December 5, 2014

Scrap Paper Christmas Ball - Easy DIY Christmas Home Decor Project

The holidays are just around the corner, and we're sure you're already right smack in the middle of your holiday preparations. After all, this season entails buying presents, attending and hosting parties, and of course, making sure that your house is holiday-ready!

Why don't you add a more personal touch to your house's holiday bling this year by trying out some DIY home decor projects?

So, are you ready for some craft-making fun? Check out our step-by-step guide to make the Scrap Paper Christmas Ball

SCRAP PAPER CHRISTMAS BALL

You’ll need:

• Scrap paper/excess Christmas wrapping paper
• Styrofoam ball
• Pins
• Scissors
• Twine
• Ribbon

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1. Cut scrap paper/wrapping paper into circles. Size would depend on the size of the Styrofoam ball.

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2. Stick circles onto the Styrofoam ball by sticking a pin at the center of each circle. Make sure they’re evenly spaced. To add interest, stick a different color at random places.

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3. Pin a ribbon on top of the ball.

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4. Knot a piece of twine at the ends, then pin over the ribbon.

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