cooking it up with pong and i

Nagc-crave ako for chopsuey and carbonara so i thought i'd buy some ingredients kanina at the grocery so i can cook them to satisfy my craving. From the recipies below, parang di naman complicated, kaya i'm excited to complete the list of ingredients and get on to the actual cooking. Kulang ako ng oyster sauce and cornstarch for the chopsuey tapos, pasta and parmesan cheese for the carbonara. I want to learn one dish per week while I'm in Chicago. Para pagbalik ko sa Pilipinas, lulutuan ko sina Mama at Lola. Magugulat sila at marunong na ako, hah!

Pasta Carbonara

4-6 bacon slices, diced
3 tbsp. chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c. heavy cream
8 oz. thin spaghetti or fettuccine
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp. ground pepper
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
Optional additions: Sauteed boneless chicken, mushrooms

In large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon about 3 minutes or until limp. Add onion; cook 3-5 minutes longer or until bacon is browned, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, cook 30 seconds. Drain all but 1 tablespoon bacon fat from skillet. Stir in cream; bring just to boiling point. Reduce heat to low and simmer 3 minutes. Keep warm.

Add cooked spaghetti, Parmesan cheese, pepper and parsley to cream mixture. Toss to coat spaghetti well.

Serves 4-6. Prep time: about 10 minutes. Cooking time: 10-15 minutes.

-ooo-

Chopsuey with Quail Eggs

2 to 3 tablespoons cooking oil, as needed
1 medium onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 kilo (about 1/2 pound or 9 ounces) pork, cubed
Salt and pepper, as needed
1/2 cup water
1/4 kilo shrimp, (8 to 10 medium shrimp), boiled and peeled
1 dozen quail eggs, boiled and shelled
1 medium carrot, sliced thinly
12 pieces baby corn, sliced diagonally in half
100 grams ( ounces) snow peas
Sauce:
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon sugar

In a pan, pour the cooking oil, and heat on medium heat. Saute the garlic and onion. Add the pork. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Pan-fry the pork until it is slightly brown. Add 1/2 cup water, cover and bring to a boil.While waiting for the water to boil, prepare the sauce: in a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame seed oil, cornstarch and sugar.When the pork is tender, add the shrimp, then the quail eggs.Add the carrot and baby corn. Add the snow peas. Add the sauce, stirring until it thickens. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with steamed rice.