Main Course

Creamed spinach, bacon and mushroom spaghetti

Let me explain the dish. The first time I made it was in 2011. I was so smitten with creamed spinach that I was pairing it with meat, seafood and chicken. Finally, I tried it with pasta and I loved it. Still, being more carnivore than herbivore, I just had to add bacon. In this updated recipe, mushrooms join bacon to give an already excellent dish even more flavor and texture.

Cook time: 30

Servings: 3 people

Blanched Chinese broccoli with ground pork adobo

They are not traditional partners but boldly flavored Filipino adobo, made even richer with the addition of oyster sauce, is just so good with lightly seasoned greens.

Cook time: 20

Servings: 2 people

Tilapia fillets and baby portobello in lemon cream sauce

Earthy mushrooms, citrusy sauce and moist fish flesh in one simple but magnificent dish.

Cook time: 15

Servings: 4 people

Salmon, papaya and moringa (malunggay) leaves soup

Salmon collar and strips of belly are simmered with semi-ripe papaya and moringa leaves in a broth flavored with shallots, lemongrass, galangal, garlic and fish sauce.

Cook time: 30

Servings: 4 people

Chow mein with shrimps and quail eggs

In less than 30 minutes, you can whip up this delicious noodle stir fry that includes all the food groups you need for a filling and tasty meal.

Cook time: 10

Servings: 4 people

Chinese American-style bang bang bang chicken

It bears nothing in common with its Chinese ancestor except for the spicy chili-based sauce, but this dish of fried chicken fillets tossed in sweet chili mayo is just as satisfying.

Cook time: 6

Servings: 4 people

Sichuan-style bang bang chicken

Unlike its Chinese-American incarnation, there is no frying involved in making this dish. Poached chicken is cut into strips, doused with Sichuan chili oil and topped with sliced scallions.

Cook time: 5

Servings: 4 people

Pork, pepper and mango stir fry

It’s salty and sweet with a bit of tang and more than a little heat. The sweetness is supplied by mirin and mango. The heat is from shichimi togarashi (a Japanese spice mix) and sweet chili sauce.

Cook time: 10

Servings: 2 people