Pro Tips
**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Cook shrimp and squid quickly over high heat — they turn rubbery in under 3 minutes.
- Do not overcook shrimp — they are done as soon as they turn pink and curl into a C-shape.
- For creamy vegetable dishes, simmer gently and stir frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom.
- Use the vegetable cooking water as a light broth base instead of discarding it.
Cooking Tips
Blanch leafy vegetables in boiling salted water for 30–60 seconds, then plunge into ice water. This locks in their bright color and crisp texture. Add vegetables in stages — hard vegetables (carrots, potatoes) go in first, tender ones (leafy greens, beansprouts) at the very end.
Ingredient Substitutions
Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.
Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
Marinara Sauce
Marinara Sauce — fresh vegetables prepared Filipino-style with garlic and shrimp paste. A light and flavorful side dish.
Instructions
- Heat a cooking pot then pour-in olive oil.
- Sauté garlic and onions.
- When the onions gets soft, add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce and let boil.
- Put-in dried oregano, parsley, chili, bay leaves, and parmesan cheese. Stir.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3 minutes or until the mixture thickens.
- Turn-off heat and let the marinara sauce cool down.
- Transfer to a container and store in the fridge or cook as an ingredient, right away.
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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Cook shrimp and squid quickly over high heat — they turn rubbery in under 3 minutes.
- Do not overcook shrimp — they are done as soon as they turn pink and curl into a C-shape.
- For creamy vegetable dishes, simmer gently and stir frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom.
- Use the vegetable cooking water as a light broth base instead of discarding it.
Cooking Tips
Add vegetables in stages — hard vegetables (carrots, potatoes) go in first, tender ones (leafy greens, beansprouts) at the very end.
Substitutions
Storage & Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
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