A Craving For Carbonara

Could you share with me a special recipe for pasta carbonara? – Ling-Ling

We shared a simple carbonara with our readers last year and you can read the archived article in the Lifestyle section of philstar.com, dated April 26.

Sorry, we are unable to send individual recipes per request.

But, you can access our "Recipe Cache" simply by clicking on "Library" then on "Recipes."

We are slowly adding more and more reader-approved recipes to the cache!

* * * Easy Cheesy Pimiento

I would like to ask for your Internet address, since I could not open whollymollytips.com. Also, do you have a recipe for cheese pimiento? Since I was not able to copy the article on candle making featured in the Philippine Star, could you give me the date of the article so I can read it on the Net? – Paulita Encarnacion

Are you certain that you typed in the correct URL to access our website? The complete address is: http://www.whollymolly tips.com.

For an easy, cheesy pimiento, simply heat up some quick-melt cheddar cheese and add chopped red bell peppers and slices of jalapeño peppers. Season with salt, some pickle brine, and a few drops of Tabasco sauce to put a little kick into your pimiento spread. Allow the mixture to cool before spreading.

For our candle making procedures, you can find a lot of tips in our archived columns in the Lifestyle section of philstar.com. Check on all Saturday dates last December.

Our website also has a virtual store where you can make on-line purchases for homemade beeswax candles and melt-able paraffin blocks. Find it at http://www.wholly mollytips.com/CPL.htm.

* * * Cutting Calories On Sandwiches

I really love salads and sandwiches. Can you send me recipes that are low on calories but nutritious, not to forget economical and easy to prepare? Thanks and more power! – Gaye S. Lagula, ACI Systems

We featured several delicious salads in our column last year and you can read them in the archives of philstar.com dated May 24, 2000.

If you want to prepare low-calorie sandwiches, a little substitution is in order. Instead of white bread (refined), opt for whole wheat bread (whole grain). Instead of high-cholesterol mayonnaise and butter, spread on mustard or reduced-fat peanut butter. Choose lean meats, like turkey or chicken breasts, instead of high-fat fried bacon strips or ham, or chicken sausage instead of pork sausage. Just remember that when you reduce the fat in your sandwiches, you are also reducing its tastiness. The only way to make up for lost taste is to pile on some juicy veggies like tomatoes, iceberg or red leaf lettuce, and onions. Then again, you may want to make a vege-mite sandwich!

* * * Calling Culinary Schools

I’d like my daughter to take some cooking lessons. Would you recommend a good school, preferably near Marikina? My wife and I are also interested in short weekend courses. Thank you. – Ricky Gumaru, Marikina

Culinary school listings and schedules are all over the newspapers. Comb your bookstore for food magazines and restaurant listings that may provide references to a particular type of cooking that you are interested in.

You can also ask your local school system for referrals to cooking demonstrations in your area. Make sure that aside from providing hands-on training with the necessary cooking equipment, you should be able to take home what you cook! A popular restaurant-cum-cooking school that is reasonably close to Marikina is CCA-Cravings on Katipunan Ave. They come out with regular menu offerings and conduct seminars by guest chefs who are trained with world-class standards.

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Browse our cool tips at http://www.whollymollytips.com/tips.htm. Try our easy recipes at http://www.whollymollytips.com/Recipe_Cache.htm. Join the exchange community at http://www.whollymollytips.com/listbot.htm.