Compare the ingredients, cooking time and equipment below to find a dish that fits your plans. Each recipe includes quantities and a step-by-step method.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 40 minutes. Allow 60 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: tempeh, cut into 2 cm cubes, carrots, sliced diagonally, green beans, trimmed and halved, baby corn, halved, vegetable oil. Equipment: large frying pan or wok with lid, wooden spoon or spatula, knife, cutting board.
Kitchen tip: If tempeh is too firm, steam it for 10 minutes before cooking to soften the texture.
Preparation takes 15 minutes. Cooking takes 45 minutes. Allow 60 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks, green papaya, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks (about 400 g), fresh malunggay (moringa) leaves, fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into thin strips, garlic, peeled and crushed. Equipment: Large pot or Dutch oven, Cutting board, Knife, Measuring cups and spoons, Ladle, Stove.
Kitchen tip: Use bone-in chicken for a richer broth and better flavor.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 20 minutes. Allow 40 minutes in total. Makes 2 servings. Key ingredients: white fish fillets, ground allspice, smoked paprika, dried thyme, cayenne pepper. Equipment: medium saucepan, small bowl, deep skillet or wide pan, colander, knife, cutting board, measuring spoons and cups.
Kitchen tip: Be careful not to let the poaching liquid boil vigorously; maintain a gentle simmer to keep fish tender.
Preparation takes 25 minutes. Cooking takes 90 minutes. Allow 115 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: lamb shoulder, cut into 3 cm cubes, eggplants, peeled and diced into 3 cm pieces, seasonal fresh tomatoes, chopped (or canned plum tomatoes), onion, finely chopped, garlic, minced. Equipment: heavy-bottomed large pot or Dutch oven, wooden spoon, knife, cutting board, measuring spoons.
Kitchen tip: For best results, brown the lamb well to develop deep flavor before simmering.
Preparation takes 15 minutes. Cooking takes 10 minutes. Allow 25 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: lean beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced, red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips, green beans, trimmed and halved, carrot, julienned, snap peas, ends trimmed. Equipment: wok or large frying pan, sharp knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, mixing bowl, spatula or wooden spoon.
Kitchen tip: Slice beef thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness.
Preparation takes 40 minutes. Cooking takes 90 minutes. Allow 130 minutes in total. Makes 6 servings. Key ingredients: boneless, skinless chicken thighs, fresh corn kernels (about 2 ears), masa harina (corn flour), chicken broth, ripe sweet yellow or red peppers, diced. Equipment: large pot or deep steamer, mixing bowl, skillet or frying pan, forks, sharp knife, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, large spoon or spatula, tongs.
Kitchen tip: Soak banana leaves in hot water for at least 10 minutes before use to make them pliable and to enhance flavor.
Preparation takes 25 minutes. Cooking takes 20 minutes. Allow 45 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: tofu, cut into 2 cm cubes, banana leaves, for wrapping, seasonal vegetables (e.g., carrots, green beans, baby corn), shallots, garlic. Equipment: pressure cooker with steaming rack or basket, mixing bowl, knife, cutting board, small pan or microwave (to soften banana leaves).
Kitchen tip: If fresh banana leaves are unavailable, use aluminum foil as a substitute but note the flavor difference.
Preparation takes 15 minutes. Cooking takes 40 minutes. Allow 55 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: pearled barley, rinsed, liquid for cooking barley, chicken breasts, fresh lemon, onion for poaching liquid. Equipment: medium saucepan, large shallow skillet or deep frying pan with lid, mixing bowl, sharp knife, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons, fine grater or zester, slotted spoon.
Kitchen tip: Maintain a gentle simmer when poaching chicken to keep it tender and juicy; boiling will make it tough.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 70 minutes. Allow 90 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: vegetable oil or niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced clarified butter), yellow onions, finely chopped, garlic, minced, ginger, minced, berbere spice mix. Equipment: Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, Wooden spoon, Small bowl, Slotted spoon, Medium saucepan.
Kitchen tip: Slowly caramelizing the onions is key to building depth of flavor; do not rush this step.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 60 minutes. Allow 80 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: pork shoulder, cut into 3 cm cubes, vegetable oil, onion, finely chopped, garlic, minced, fresh ginger, minced. Equipment: Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, Cutting board, Knife, Wooden spoon or spatula, Measuring spoons, Measuring jug.
Kitchen tip: For extra depth, you can toast the bay leaves in a dry pan before adding to the stew.
Preparation takes 15 minutes. Cooking takes 20 minutes. Allow 35 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 150g each), water or low-sodium chicken broth, lemon, zested and juiced, fresh parsley, chopped, fresh dill, chopped. Equipment: saucepan with lid, knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, citrus zester or grater, mixing bowl.
Kitchen tip: Use a thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) for food safety.
Preparation takes 35 minutes. Cooking takes 40 minutes. Allow 75 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: fresh green corn kernels (about 4 ears), corn masa harina (corn flour for masa), warm water, unsalted butter, melted, salt. Equipment: steamer or large pot with steaming rack, large mixing bowl, blender or food processor, large saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, knife, cutting board, spatula.
Kitchen tip: Ensure banana leaves are pliable to prevent cracking when folding tamalitos.