MAKING STEAMED RICE EXTRA SPECIAL

Asians are known around the world because of their rice eating habit. A meal will not be complete with a steamed rice. That is why I have thought of making the famous steamed rice extra special. The rice cooking would take around 15-20 minutes, depending of the type of rice. It has been observed that the best rice is the IR 64 or the tonner variety, planted in the Philippines. There are different variety of rice depending on the area.

To make the steamed rice extra special, we need to add pandan leaves to make the steamed rice smell good. I already used this type of rice cooking in the restaurant most of my customers were really delighted to have the pandan rice instead of just plain ordinary steamed rice on their plates.

MINIMIZE THE SUGAR AND NO VETSIN PLEASE

The recipes that I often use in the restaurant involves the use of sugar. Sugar is very important in my kitchen because it adds more taste to the recipes that I cook in my little kitchen. But there are times that instead of adding sugar, I use soft drink to make the dish perfect in taste. Just for example the humba pork dish. This dish is one of the best seller in my restaurant. It is sweet and the salt is not over powering the sweetness of the dish.

I remember one day last week, a customer went to me and asked me about the dishes that I prepare in the restaurant. He was so particular about the use of vetsin or MSG on the dishes that I cook. In fact, I don't use vetsin in my dishes. Vetsin is also called the flavor intensifier of all the dishes. He was very happy to know that I don't use vetsin in my cooking. I think it was for health reasons why he prefer to eat dishes without vetsin or MSG.

PREPARING THE BREAKFAST EARLY

I have already set the alarm clock for tomorrow because I have to be awake by 5 am this morning and start the cooking early. I have agreed with a fellow chef of mine that we are going to be doing the morning jog and walk for tomorrow. This is my second time to do this and I am very excited for tomorrows event. I am planning of preparing French Toast with roasted chicken. Potatoes will also be on the breakfast menu for tomorrow. The dairy bank also told me that fresh milk will be served in the bottle for tomorrow earlier than schedule. I am also planning to make the leche flan and other dishes for the early morning delight.

A chef really needs a reliever after a hard day's work in the restaurant. In my calculation, I prepare almost 100 dishes a week and that's already something that a chef should have a relaxation too and get rid of stress. All of the ingredients are already prepared and I really need to take the early sleep so that I can have the correct hours of sleep. I plan of doing this twice a week so that I get the healthy benefit out of it.

CHEF CONTEST

My friend chef called me the other day and told me that I am going to be on television. I know that he was into the media business and I never thought that I will be one of his stars. I am going to be one of the hosts and judge of a reality cooking show that is going to be aired on March. It is really a cooking contest and we will be going to search the entire culinary school in the country for the best chefs that are willing to gain exposure on TV.

According to the producer, I must be on the tour and my chef adventures will be disclosed so that many will be encourage to join the contest for chefs. The contestant will be allowed to look at the recipe book that he/she brings. The finish product of the chef will then be judged by me and three others more. There are really many offers for a chef right now. the prizes that the lucky chef will be bagging will be a complete culinary package for all. This is the ultimate desire of chefs to have this kind of package. I guess being a chef is really something at all.

SPECIAL BANANA SPLIT RECIPE

I love ice cream and this is the most passion of all. Cold ice cream rally can get the heat away and that is why I am sharing this recipe to you all.

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana
3 scoops good-quality ice cream,
slightly softened (your choice of flavors)

Suggested Toppings:

2 to 3 Tbsp. Raspberry Topping, warm or cold
2 to 3 Tbsp. good-quality caramel
or butterscotch topping, slightly warmed
2 to 3 Tbsp. hot fudge sauce, slightly warmed

For Garnish:

Lightly sweetened whipped cream
Chocolate sprinkles
A maraschino cherry or two

Rinse and dry the banana, then peel it. Split the banana in half vertically (the long way), and place each half on an opposite side of your dish, seed side in. Working quickly, place three scoops of ice cream in a row, between the banana halves. Top each scoop with a different topping.

Garnish the banana split with lightly sweetened whipped cream (use it judicially here—you don't want to cover up too much of the pretty effect of the toppings over the ice creams). Sprinkle the whipped cream lightly with chocolate sprinkles, then top with a maraschino cherry or two. Serve immediately!