Achara (Pickled Green Papaya)

Achara, or atsara, refers to the pickled green papaya. Carrots, ginger, onions and bell peppers are also added to turn it into achara. The pickling solution is a mixture of vinegar, sugar and salt–preserves the papaya and the vegetables. In air-tight jars, achara will keep even without refrigeration. After the jar has been opened, however, it is best to refrigerate achara. Achara is the Philippine contribution to the world of Asian pickles.

This relish is the perfect compliment to barbecue, meat, poultry and fish. Make sure to pick the green ones which are firm and not yet ripe.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups green papaya, peeled
• 2-4 tbsp coarse salt
• 1/2 cup sugar cane vinegar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 large carrot, cut into strips
• 1 head garlic, peeled
• 2 tbsp ginger strips
• 20 pcs red shallots, whole and peeled
  

Procedures:

1. Divide papaya in half and shred into strips.
2. Mix 2 tbsp coarse salt with shredded papaya.
3. Mash and squeeze shredded papaya to extract juice. Add remaining salt as needed.
4. Place squeezed papaya on a clean cheesecloth and squeeze again. Set aside.
5. Put vinegar and the 2 kinds of sugar in a saucepan. Boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Add sugar to sweeten the taste, if desired.
6. Add papaya, carrots, red bell pepper, garlic, ginger and shallots to the vinegar-sugar mixture. Allow to boil for 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Transfer achara into sterilized bottles. Let cool before covering.

*Note: You may use cookie cutter to cut the vegetables into decorative pieces.

Mushroom Burger

Mushroom have a similar taste and texture to meat when cooked. No doubt, it created a big wave when introduced to the market.

This is a welcome alternative for those who prefer a healthy lifestyle. It is because of its capacity to lower cholesterol levels and also a good source of minerals.

Starting this business from your home only needs small capital. A kilo of mushroom burger will gave a yield of 1800 grams.

Patties could be prepared in various sizes (30, 40, 50 and 100 grams). Different variety of mushrooms are available at the market. All you need is choose which can yield best according to your preferences.

Other organic fibers such as bamboo fibers, soy protein and other plant fiber can also be added to increase profit and lower the cost.

Here are the materials needed:

• Metal bowls
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cup
• Weighing scale
• Burger molders
• Spatula
• Potato Masher
• Tray

For the ingredients:

Meat materials:

• 700 g Beef lean or pork lean, ground finely
• 300 g Mushroom, ground

Curing Mix (dissolved in 1/4 cup water):

• 1 1/4 tsp Salt, refined
• 1 tsp Phosphate

Extenders:

• 1/4 cup TVP
• 1/4 cup Qualicel
• 1/2 cup Versagel
• 1 1/2 cup water if beef or 1 1/4 cup if pork or chicken

Seasonings:

• 1 1/2 tbsp Sugar, refined
• 1 tbsp Black pepper, ground
• 2 tbsp Garlic, chopped (or 2 tsp garlic powder)
• 1/2 tsp Vetsin (MSG)
• 1/2 tsp Meat enhancer
• 3/4 cup Onion, chopped finely
• 1/2 tsp Celery powder
• 2 tsp Hamburger seasoning
• 3 tbsp Milk or whey powder
• 2 pcs Egg, fresh medium

The following ingredients should be added in the last mixing:

• 1/2 cup Bread crumbs
• 4 tbsp Potato starch
• 1/2 tsp Beef aroma
• 1/2 tsp Meaty ginisa
• 1 tsp BF blend

Procedures:

1. Select good quality raw materials. Grind meat and mush room finely.
2. Add salt and phosphate (dissolve in 1/4 cup water). Mix until tacky.
3. Add extenders: TVP, Versagel and Qualicel. Mix again until homogenous mixture is attained.
4. Add seasonings and remix.
5. To attain firm patties, chill mixture for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.
6. Form into the patties with the use of hamburger molder
7. (50 grams per patty), i kg. should contain 20 pieces. For 30 grams patty - i kg. should contain 33 pieces.
8. Freeze patties before packing. Store in freezer. Cook with little amount of fat.

Yield: i kg. = 1.5 to 1.8 kgs.

Welcome to my Blogsite!

Happy New Year to All!!!

Perhaps everybody is contemplating on the big wave of this so called "recession". I hope everybody has made their "fallbacks" or planning for some options to cope up with recession.

For me, i have lots of plans, different plans and one of this is to experiment this world of "blogging". While pursuing this plan, i would also like to impart some knowledge to help with your recession fallbacks.

What does that mean? I am planning to concentrate my blogging on different ways of earning extra income in order for everybody to gain confidence on setting up their own, probably business.

Also, please bear with me as i was only starting to explore this "world of blogging".

For those experienced blogger, i would greatly appreciate your comments or suggestions on this endeavor...