Kopi Luwak (Cat poo coffee)

Drinking coffee has been a part of everyday's life of many people. People usually start the day by drinking coffee. This beverage can be prepared in many ways like black, with milk, less sugar, etc. It is no wonder that coffee shops sprouted all over the world, one of which is Starbucks.

Do these shops offer crappy coffee? I don't think so. Currently, there is a latest craze in America. It is known to be "Cat Poo Coffee". This coffee is somewhat special because the java juice comes from the droppings of a cat-like creature called civet. The coffee drinkers though have to pay at least $30 for a cup of frothy brew.

People might think twice before drinking this strange coffee. They might think its dirty knowing where it comes from. It might be unsanitary because Muslim authorities almost banned the beverage in Indonesia. Needless to say, the coffee is sanitary and healthy. It is safe to drink because the beans are already cleaned before it turned into coffee. 

In most Asian countries like Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, this coffee is popular and the process of obtaining the coffee is quite known by many people. The civets eat the coffee berries and pass through the digestive tracts. The beans remained undigested and can be seen in the excrement. The dung is cleaned, dried and lightly roasted. 

This coffee is considered to have the best aroma because of the unique enzymes present in the civet's body which makes the taste bitter. The price of this coffee is quite expensive and usually ranges from $100-600 per pound. 

Try and experience the latest coffee craze! 

Photos courtesy of Wikipedia.com

Pancit miki

There are many kinds of noodles in the Philippines. One of which is miki. This is made from wheat flour. It is relatively salty and oily to prevent it from clustering. Anyway, I will present here another easy recipe on how to cook pancit miki.

You will need the following ingredients:
   garlic
   onion
   bell pepper
   carrot
   beans
   cabbage
   chicken or pork meat
   kikiam and meatballs (optional)
   broth cube (beef or pork)
   miki noodles
   ground pepper
   salt

This is the simple procedure:
1. Mince the garlic, onion and bell pepper. Cut the bell pepper horizontally. Slice the meat and vegetables according to preference.
2. Heat the pan and add oil (if the pan is already hot).
3. Saute garlic until light brown and onion.
4. Put meat and kikiam/meatballs. Add salt. Mix it well.
5. Add bell pepper and the vegetables. Put beans first followed by carrot then cabbage.
6. Add the broth cube and let it be dissolved in 2 cups of water.
7. Cover and let it simmer for 3 minutes.
8. Add the miki noodles (be sure to wash the noodles first it might be very salty)
9. Mix and cover until the noodle is cooked.
10. Lastly, add pepper to taste.

Bon appétit! 

Chicken curry

Chicken curry is a famous dish in India as well as in Philippines. Many Filipinos love the spicy taste of the cuisine. It is easy to cook and a beginner can try it. For a beginner, you can try my recipe:







Ingredients:
    Garlic
    Onion
    Ginger
    Chicken (chicken part doesn't matter)
    Curry powder
    Potato
    Broth cubes (beef or chicken)
    Salt
    Cooking oil
    Laurel leaves
    Pepper
    Milk (optional)

Procedure
1. Mince the garlic, onion and ginger. Chop the chicken and potato according to preference.
2. Heat the pan and add cooking oil.
3. Saute garlic. After the garlic turns light brown, saute the onion.
4. Add chicken and mix it well. Add salt and potato.
5. Cover the pan for 5 minutes.
6. Add two cups of water and add 5 tablespoons of curry powder and broth cubes.
7. Cover and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
8. Check if the chicken is already cook by thrusting using a fork. If the meat is already tender, it is already cooked.
9. Add laurel leaves and pepper.
10. A cup of milk can now be added.

For more eros-guide consult the experts at eros-guide.ru
Enjoy this easy yet delicious dish!

Sauteed squash with odong

Ingredients:

     onion
     garlic
     pork meat (and/or tofu)
     beef broth cube
     squash
     odong
     water
     celery



Procedure
1. Chop onion, garlic, meat (and/or tofu), squash and celery.
2. Put tofu in heated saucepan, add little salt and fry in low heat.
3. If tofu is already light brown, you can now sautee garlic until it turns light brown.
4. Add onion and pork meat. Let it stand for 5 minutes until the meat is half-cooked.
5. Add squash. Mix several times to evenly distribute the ingredients in the pan.
6. Add two cups of water. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Put the broth cube to add flavor. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
8. Mix several times.
9. Wait until the squash is cooked. Celery can now be added.
10. Let it simmer for 3 minutes.
11. Serve hot.

This dish is very simple and easy to cook. A beginner can also do it well. It is best served for lunch and paired with fried fish. By the way, odong is not a popular kind of noodle in the Philippines. It can be mainly bought in supermarkets in Mindanao. It has a unique packaging and can be mistaken as misua.

Learning how to cook

Cooking has been my hobby since I was I child. My parents always ask me to cook our meals. It was a great challenge since I had to prepare for the ingredients and use sharp knives to slice them. Eventually, it took years for me to improve my cooking skill. I had to put much effort and time.

I had an opportunity to experiment my dishes since I had so many friends who also love to cook and bake. I gained experience and skill by watching carefully on how people cook. I often attend seminars, conferences and gatherings. These events gave me ideas on how to improve and put twist to my recipes. Watching cooking shows are also helpful but these programs usually suggest complicated styles on preparing dishes. But don't worry, there are also few programs that provide useful tips on cooking practical dishes. Perfect combination and mixing of ingredients will definitely be improved after many cooking trials.

Cooking is a never-ending challenge. Effort and determination are greatly needed to perfect the dishes. It is also important to be happy while cooking. I really believe that the cook's mood is reflected into his cooking. Don't hesitate to put a twist on your cuisine. 

Have a happy cooking!