COCONUT JAM

Coconut is the cheap and cheerful ingredient that we use a lot in Filipino cooking, both sweet and savoury. Coconut milk is more used than dairy milk and is so versatile. It can be reduced, curdled to render the oil, baked into cakes and mixed into sauces.

Coconut jam is the very common spread used to fill breads. It is made with coconut milk and sugar and reduced to a very thick paste. It is sweet, really sweet. It is in fact a sweet remedy for mouth ulcers.

FETA CHEESE DRESSING

We all need a fresh spark on our usual menu from time to time. Sometimes a little change in the details is all it takes. Before you grab the jar of mayo yet again to slather on something, imagine how much more flavour a simple dressing like this would give to your food.

AVOCADO MAYO

Summer swings our moods to a high level, thanks to the good weather and plenty of sunshine. It is the perfect and perhaps the only time we can do our barbies and picnics. Although some summer food such as fruits, salads and grills are healthy, there are also those that aren't but we can't help but eat.

HOMEMADE SWEET AND SOUR SAUCE

The mere mention of sweet and sour sauce would bring to mind Chinese food. Although a combination of sweetness and tang features in Chinese cuisine, it is not as we know it. Traditional dishes uses vinegar as the usual souring agent and brown sugar bricks that are similar to palm sugar in taste. 

INSTANT CHILLI AND GARLIC OIL

Dipping sauces are an integral part of Asian food. A simple, basic dish can be made spectacular by the sauce it is served with. 

Although some sauces go with specific dishes, there are sauces that are universal. They go with anything. One of the popular all around food perkers is chilli oil. When you get used to having chilli oil with your food, you can't go without it, no matter what you eat.

SPICY BACON KETCHUP

We've all heard about bacon jam by now and I thought I'll never catch on with the trend. My son is an avid fan of bacon and he is relentless with the hints so I had to give it a go.

Bacon jam is new fangled condiment usually made with bacon, onions, sugar and vinegar. It is of spreadable consistency and is slathered on bread as a base for other fillings. I like that but I had an idea of adding in tomatoes for a more rounded taste. I also wanted it to be a sauce rather than a spread because sauces are more versatile. They can be used as dips and condiments as well as spreads.

LEMON AND CORIANDER HUMMUS

My daughter asked me to buy some lemon and coriander hummus for her at the supermarket. Ok, that won't be hard, or so I thought. Reaching the supermarket shelf, I was faced with a wide variety of hummus and it took me some time to find the one I was supposed to buy. Mmmm, I was such a hummus novice. I thought it only came in chick pea flavour.

SPINACH CRISPS AND ARTICHOKE DIP

I don't know what to say. After coming up with a recipe, cooking it right and shooting the photos, I hit a blank wall as to what to write to begin the post. This happens a lot of times, not often, but a lot.

HOMEMADE BANANA KETCHUP

Banana ketchup is a staple Filipino dipping sauce. It is probably more popular and more consumed than tomato ketchup. A lot of Filipino dishes are best eaten with this sweet condiment.