GLUTEN EN PINEAPPLE

3/4 kilo gluten, cubed, slightly fried
1 cup pineapple chunks, drained
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup pineapple chunk syrup
1/4 cup calamansi extract
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup red and green bell peppers, cut into strips
2 tablespoons raisins
Salt to taste
Dash of brown sugar

1. Mix cornstarch in water, syrup, and calamansi extract.
2. Cook mixture in vegetable oil until sauce thickens.
3. Add fried gluten and pineapple chunks. Mix gradually.
4. Season with salt and a dash of brown sugar.
5. Remove from fire and garnish with bell peppers and raisins.
   

VEGETARIAN STROGANOFF

3/4 kilo vegemeat, cut into strips, slightly fried
2 potatoes, cut into strips slightly fried
1 small can cream of mushroom soup
4 tablespoons margarine
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
Salt to taste
Red pepper

1. Melt margarine on a heated skillet over low fire.
2. Add cream of mushroom soup.
3. Gradually stir in milk and rest of ingredients.
4. Season with salt.
5. Simmer for 3 minutes.
6. Serve hot.

Easy to prepare, huh? This one is good for the holidays!

(This recipe is from the book Cooking Smart by B.M. Varona and D.A. Varona. For book orders, please send me an email.)

HOT & SPICY ONION GLUTEN

3/4 kilo gluten, sliced to desired sizes
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon Oriental sesame oil
1 teaspoon chili paste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, sliced lengthwise
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon water
Salt or seasoning to taste

• Combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon cornstarch in a bowl.
• Add gluten and mix well. Let stand for 30 minutes.
• On a separate bowl, mix in remaining soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili paste.
• Heat skillet and pour in vegetable oil.
• Add onion and garlic. Stir until onion is tender.
• Add gluten and stir-fry for 2 minutes or until lightly brown.
• Stir in the soy sauce-chili paste mixture.
• Stir in remaining cornstarch and the water.
• Season with salt, then cook until sauce thickens, stirring constantly.
• Serve hot.

GLUTEN STEAK

3/4 cup gluten, sliced big
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons tomato catsup
1/2 small onion, sliced
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Salt to taste
Brown sugar to taste
Vegetable oil
Parsley, onion rings, and bell pepper rings (optional)

• Soak gluten in soy sauce, water, and catsup for about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside mixture.
• Fry gluten in vegetable oil and set aside.
• Saute onion, then add soy sauce-catsup mixture and mix.
• Add sugar and salt to taste.
• Add cornstarch and stir until sauce thickens. Simmer for 2 minutes.
• Pour sauce over gluten
• Garnish with parsley, onion rings, and bell pepper rings.
• Serve hot.

(Source: Cooking Smart by Blecenda Miranda-Varona & David Arsulo Varona)