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When I started watching Masterchef on the Food Channel, I was immediately captured by how the show was all about passion for food. Yes, I am fond of watching cooking shows especially the ones where chefs (amateur or professional) battle it out in the kitchen. You've got your Iron Chefs (Japan and America). It is more a battle arena for the World's elite "Foodistas". And you've got the Gordon Ramsay shows (Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, etc). But to be honest, I'm hearing more swear words than seeing more cooking getting done. The format that Masterchef UK showed was clean, and honest. I guess the best thing about it was that it was all about the food, and the cooking. Yes, people clamoured for success in a career in the food industry, but that doesn't get in the way of a good and well executed dish. When Masterchef Australia was announced several months back, I knew that people would be seeing a new format. Unlike the UK version, Masterchef here in Australia already showcased the contestants from the start. Auditions were here held, but unlike Idol, the center was on food knowledge and cooking passion. Yes, this follows much of the format from the UK version, but Channel 10 has added more flavour into the mix. I am actually surprised by the vast success of this show. It's proven because even my kids and their friends at school have interest in the now famous contestants. And of course they also love to see the great food that's being prepared. As detailed in a recent article on the Age, the show has changed the landscape of reality TV. And yes, it is for the better. It just goes to show that you can have reality TV that gives more of a positive impact on all ages. It is one thing to eat food, but it is totally another thing to clamour for food that you've prepared yourself. The show has certainly tapped into this. As this current season is about to end, people are just buzzing to find out who is Australia's first Masterchef. I myself am wanting more and can't wait for the next season. I suppose the challenge for myself is to try and audition.
I confess that my family is a big fan of pasta. We made it a tradition this time to have pasta once a week, preferably on Sundays. Now, when I say pasta it doesn't really mean the sort of stuff that you see in an Italian restaurants menu. I'll probably simply refer to it as Filipino style spaghetti.
An alternative to pancit, the Pinoy style spaghetti is usually a main stay in any birthday party. Of course you wouldn't be able to force kids to like pancit because of the veggies, so spaghetti is there for them to enjoy. The recipe isn't really fixed either, it can vary from region to region or even family to family. But there is one common ground around the Filipino style spaghetti, it is more sweet to taste. A typical Italian Spaghetti Bolognese wouldn't be as sweet, and it wouldn't have slices of hot dog either.
I myself have grow up to a family that loves spaghetti. Now that I'm all grown up, I find that my kids love it too. I've started developing my own variations of the dish, and could even do it in a few ways. On Sundays, I cook Filipino Style Spaghetti. Sometimes I use ground beef with my sauce, and I would do it with ready-made meatballs too.
It's not really too difficult to cook. All you need to do is cook the noodles as per packet instructions. I used to cook my sauce from scratch, but I found that the ready-made sauces were convenient and less hassle for me. Of course, I don't rely purely on there bottle recipes. I add to their sauces to make it my own. Sugar is the one ingredient that often add, and maybe some diced carrots too (it often adds to the sweetness). I would often add some herbs too (coriander, basil, or some dried oregano).
Of course, I love to eat my dish too. But the ultimate goal for myself is to see my kids and wife smile with every dish I make. Filipino style spaghetti is always a winner in their books.
I've always had a fascination for stir fry or any Asian dish for that matter. This is one of thoes dishes that I just pulled out of my bag tricks. Couldn't really think of a dish that can be quickly prepared. So this one came to mind. The dish is called Quick Stir Fry Beef Noodles. No fancy ingredients here except for the noodles. I used Hong Kong style shrimp noodles, but it could easily be Singapore noodles or plain egg noodles.
Basically, the dish is simple in that I've only used 4 core ingredients. The noodles, stir fry beef, bok choy, and oyster sauce. The steps are as simple as well.
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You just have to cook the noodles as per packet directions, drain and set aside.
Then in a hot wok or pan, stir fry the beef until brown.
Add the oyster sause and then the pre-cooked noodles. Lastly, stir in the bok choy.
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That's how simple a good dinner can be. The quantities of the ingredients can be up to you. It all depends on how many people are having the meal.
I have been blessed through the years in having a good sense about food. I am even luckier to be allergy free, so this allows me to taste pretty much anything. Aside from my love of eating just about anything, I am also a chef at heart. I just love to cook. Most people would probably agree with me saying that there is something about cooking that calms the mind.
The Kitchen has always been my second favorite next to the TV room. At home, you would find me in front of the TV or right in the middle of the kitchen wipping up a nice meal or a tasty snack. Aside, most of the things that I watch on TV are either Sci-Fi or cooking shows on the LifeStyle Food. It's just one of the best ways to learn to cook and enjoy at the same time. I have not been a book fan, but I still end up collecting cook books and magazines.
Since we moved here in Australia, I've had more time to explore a few dishes. I've also learned a few more things. Baking is one of them. Back in the Philippines, I've always wanted to start baking; but an oven is never around. Here, the right ingredients and equipment come together to allow me to invent and expirement. And that is what I've been doing for the few months now. I even cook my kids snacks now, and we've already opted out of those unhealthy stuff that you get from the supermarkets.
So this is just the beginning, I plan to start sharing stuff that I've learned and I will have nice pictures courtesy of my love wife.
