Chicken Afritada

 is one of those special, Spanish-inspired Filipino dishes that are most common during “fiestas”, birthday celebrations, and other special occasions. Just like the Mechado and Caldereta, this popular Filipino dish is a tomato sauce-based chicken stew dressed with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and potatoes. The word “afritada” is actually a Spanish word which means fried. Don’t get the wrong idea, but you don’t actually just fry the chicken and call it Chicken Afritada. Frying the chicken until it’s medium brown is only the first part of the whole Chicken Afritada process.

There are some variations of this recipe like if you prefer to use pork instead of chicken. Either way, the cooking process remains the same.
Estimated time of preparation: 10 minutes
Estimated time of cooking 30-45 minutes
Good for 4-6 persons

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 kg chicken, cut into serving size
2 medium potatoes, chunks
1 large carrot, chunks
1 medium red & green bell pepper, chunks

1 medium onion, chunks
1/4 cup green peas
4 gloves garlic, minced
1 200 grams tomato sauce
1 1/2 cup water
1 tbsp fish sauce
salt & pepper to taste
3 tbsp cooking oil

PROCEDURES:

1. Sauté garlic and onions in hot oil in a saucepan or pot.
2. Add chicken and fry a little bit until light brown.
3. Pour the tomato sauce and stock. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 25 minutes or until the chicken is almost tender.
4. Add potatoes and continue to cook for 10 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked.
5. Add the green & red bell peppers, Simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
6. Salt & pepper to taste.

HOT TIP:
You can also semi-fry the potatoes before adding them.

Beef and Mushroom Spaghetti

Beef and mushroom spaghetti  is an easy and quick pasta dish that only takes 20 minutes or less. It is usually consist of pasta and a red sauce topped with beef, mushrooms and cheese.

Estimated time of preparation and cooking: 15-20 minutes.
Good for 3-4 persons









INGREDIENTS:
200 grams spaghetti pasta
1/2 cup full cream milk or fresh milk
1/2 cup grated cheese
4 gloves garlic, minced
1 medium-sized onion, minced
250 grams ground beef
4 pcs Hotdogs, sliced

1 medium-sized green bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup button mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pieces dried bay leaves

PROCEDURES:
Part 1
1. In a large pot, pour the water in and bring to a boil
Put-in the salt and oil
Add the Spaghetti Noodles and cook until tender (see package for cooking time) then set aside

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat oil and saute garlic and onion then add beef and cook for 3-5 minutes.or until meat is no longer pink.
2. Add the bay leaves , add  hotdogs and cook for 2 minutes & add mushrooms then stir cook for 3 minutes.

3. Put-in the tomato sauce and brown sugar then simmer for 10 to 15 minutes

4. Add pasta, milk and cheese then simmer 3 minutes or until beginning to thicken.

5. Adjust seasoning according to taste. Transfer to serving plate then top with grated cheese.Serve hot. Share and Enjoy!