Pinoy Chili con Carne Recipe | Comfort Food Made Easy

Not everyone likes this dish but it has been one of my favorites since college. I dunno but for me, Chili con Carne makes for a comfort food. It's one of the hearty meals I eat whenever I miss the warmth of home. Last weekend, I experimented in a friend's spacious kitchen and cooked some Chili con Carne. I added a Pinoy twist to the dish by adding some bay leaves and putting less chili. Please bear with me if I call it Pinoy Chili con Carne on this blog. Get the ingredients and cooking directions after the jump...



Ingredients:

1 kl. ground beef
300 g red kidney beans (soaked overnight)
250 g tomato sauce
250 g tomato paste (for that reddish look and thick consistency)
1 large red bell pepper, sliced
1 large green bell pepper, sliced
1 tbsp. chili powder
2 large onions, sliced
cooking oil
2 cups of water
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Boil the red kidney beans (soaked overnight) in a saucepan for 45 minutes or until tender.
2. In a big pan, put cooking oil. Add the onions and the ground beef. Simmer while stirring occasionally.
3. Add bell peppers, tomato sauce, tomato paste and chili powder.
4. Add the two cups of water.
5. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Add the tender, red kidney beans. Let it simmer for another 10 minutes for the flavors to come out.
7. Add salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve in a big bowl.

The recipe yields 12-15 servings.

My siblings loved the dish while I got stuffed the whole weekend eating the same food from breakfast to dinner.Haha.

Watch out for more of my experiments in the kitchen. :)

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Casa Verde Restaurant in Cebu City Serves Great Baby Back Ribs

It doesn't only taste good, it's also very affordable. I'm talking about the baby back ribs at Casa Verde, one of the restaurants located at a newly-opened commercial center called The Walk in Cebu City. For P160, you get two huge baby back ribs with two sidings. Choices include rice, mash potatoes, vegetables and corn on a cob.



The last time we went to Cebu City, Edwin brought me to the restaurant to try its famous specialty. Being the foodie that I am, I got excited at the idea. If you're an average eater, you would've been shocked at how big the serving of the baby back ribs was. In my case, I braced myself for the challenge.



And I'm glad I did because the baby back ribs at Casa verde were well worth each bite. For one, the meat was tender and juicy. The ingredients used for the marinade must have been carefully selected to make sure the melange of flavors come out outstanding. The baby back ribs were awesome. I've never eaten baby back ribs of that caliber before. Without a doubt, it's a must-try for baby back ribs fans out there.



***Casa Verde is one of the newest additions to Cebu City's exciting food scene. It serves international cuisine. The sole branch is located at The Walk, a newly-opened commercial center near IT Park.

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Basil Leaves | Pesto Spread from Bohol Bee Farm

Of all the herbs I am familiar with, I like basil the most. Basil leaves are usually made into pesto (flavorful sauce for pasta) and spread. I found a delicious pesto spread at Bohol Bee Farm when I made a quick trip to Bohol in November last year. A jar (300 g) only costs P200. I regretted that I didn't buy more. I so like the creaminess of the spread. It breathes life to my usually boring bread and butter combination for breakfast.



One can easily find fresh basil leaves sold in supermarkets by the pack. Mothers usually grow basil plants in the garden. I heard they are easy to grow I think I should plant some soon. Try it also if in case you wanna use your own basil leaves in making fabulous pesto or spread. :)

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