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 eggplant dishes, pierce the skin before grilling to prevent it from bursting.
- For grilled vegetables, toss them in oil first to prevent sticking and promote char marks.
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.
Saging con Hielo
Saging con Hielo — fresh vegetables prepared Filipino-style with garlic and shrimp paste. A light and flavorful side dish.
Instructions
- Pour-in the water in a cooking pot. Let boil.
- Put-in the brown sugar. Stir.
- Add the vanilla extract (or essence) and salt. Stir once more. Cook for 1 minute.
- Incorporate the saba banana. Cover the cooking pot. Adjust the heat to low and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Let the liquid reduce to half. Turn-off the heat and allow the banana to cool.
- Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with shaved ice and pour evaporated milk.
- Serve.
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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 eggplant dishes, pierce the skin before grilling to prevent it from bursting.
- For grilled vegetables, toss them in oil first to prevent sticking and promote char marks.
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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