Beef Salpicao

Filipino version of beef salpicao is made of lean beef and lots of garlic. A very simple and different twist from the Potuguese sausage salpicao.  It is normally plated on top of rice and garnished with roasted garlic.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 kg beef tenderloin, 2" cubes
• 2 pcs red chili, sliced (optional)
• 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp paprika (optional)
• 1 tbsp Knorr Liquid Seasoning (can be substituted with oyster sauce or soy sauce)

DIRECTIONS

1. Thaw cubed beef tenderloin, season with salt and pepper just before cooking.  Seasoning early on will cause the juices of the beef to be out and will dry up the meat.

2. In a heated pan, add olive oil and butter then saute garlic until brown.

3. Add beef tenderloin over high heat, worcestershire sauce, paprika, Knorr Liquid Seasoning and red chili. Saute until desired doneness of beef.

Homemade Baklava

I've not like baklava until I've had this!

Ingredients:

1 (16oz) package phyllo dough
1 pound chopped nuts (1:1 pistachios and walnuts or cashew)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup butter, softened for brushing
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup white sugar
1 cup water

Procedure:

Preheat convection oven at 350•F.

1. Melt butter in very low heat, set aside.

2. In a bowl, toss the chopped nuts with cinnamon and set aside.

3. Unroll the phyllo dough and cut according to the form/size of pan.

4. Place 2 sheets of dough in pan. Brush with melted butter thoroughly. It's the butter in between that creates the flake.

5. Sprinkle a layer of chopped nuts mixture (2)

6. Layer them by repeating steps (4) and (5) upto 6 to 8 sheets layered.

7. Bake for about 50 minutes or until golden and crisp.

8. While the baklava is baking, prepare the sauce.

Sauce:
9. Combine honey, vanilla extract, sugar, water together. Let in simmer in a pan:

10. Once baklava is cooked, remove from oven, and immediately spoon the sauce over it. Let it cool at room temperature.

11. Cut into squares with a sharp knife and serve as desired.