Creative Cooking

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By Juvy S. Iliwiliw


        As Filipinos, our hospitality is best manifested by the meals we prepare and share. We even mark events in our lives, be they big or small, with special food treats. With more than a thousand meals a year, the meal planner of the home must have different recipes to provide a variety of food appearances and tastes.

        How, then can a mother or a mealplanner turn day-to-day recipes into new and exciting meals? Here are few of the tips that I have collected from the "Food for the Family" section of Health and Home:

1. Vary the cuts of fruits and vegetables-flowerettes, butterfly cut, French cut, half moon. Creative slices can be attractive garnishes that add sparkle to food.

2. Use chips for topping and garnishing. Its crunchiness and crispiness will contrast with the soft and smooth texture of food.

3. Use green, yellow, red, orange, and purple foods. Remember that visual appeal is equally important. If foods do not look appealing, they won't whet the appetite.

4. Put to work the ideas you read and see in magazines and cookbooks or those shared by friends.

5. Patty recipes can be modified by discarding the egg and the binder (flour). Instead, wrap the patties on wanton or lumpia wrapper, then fold in different ways.


TOKWA SURPRISE


You will need:


38    wanton wrappers
1      egg white, beaten
        Oil

Filling:


1/4    kilo tokwa, mashed
1       small carrot, shredded
1       large bell pepper, chopped
1/4    cup raisins
1/4    cup oats
1       medium onion, chopped
2       tablespoons salt
2       tablespoons sugar
1       teaspoon black pepper

Sweet-and-sour Sauce:


1/2    cup water
1/2    cup pineapple juice
1       tablespoon calamansi juice
1/4    cup sugar
2       tablespoons soy sauce
1       tablespoon tomato ketchup
1       tablespoon cornstarch

Here's how:


1. Combine filling ingredients.
2. Wrap (create your own style) 1 teaspoon of mixture in each wanton wrapper.
    Dab egg white on sides to seal wrapper.
3. Deep fry until golden brown. Drain. Serve with ketchup or sweet-and-sour sauce.
4. To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
    Boil while stirring constantly until desired consistency is reached.

Related articles

• The Art of Cooking Filipino Lumpia (friendseat.com)
• Everyday Meals in a Snap (familydailymenu.blogspot.com)
• Vegetable Dishes (familydailymenu.blogspot.com)