Friday, July 30, 2010

Stewed Out

One is sick, the other on a diet. Raining outside plus some last minute paperwork to do for deliveries....what to cook?

It was supposed to be vegetables, Pinakbet to be exact...but its not fit to serve the above given data. We need home cooked, rich soup...

Brought out a pack of my Italian Sausages and chunked them. All in low heat....Sauted some garlic in Olive Oil. Added the chunked sausages and let it simmer a while. Next went in a lot of chopped tomatoes and a handful of Basil. That was allowed to simmer...small soft bubbles, gurgling a little. Seasoned with a little salt. It was done when I realized there was no rice. Grabbed two handfuls of elbow macaroni and threw it in. Stirring for the next 10mins, turned off heat and covered...waiting for the table to be set.

I was starving at this point and reached for a large chunk of the sausage before I covered my skillet...it was so goooood! Our sausages are no doubt dry, because there is no fat, but stewing it rendered and blended the flavors and it made it juicy :) Excellent for a blast of an idea just before getting dinner ready.

Won't say that this was a recipe to die for....but it is very good, comforting and healthy food. Stewed out....or rather, stood out for our rained out heads.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Healthy Sisig

After our Sunshine Chicken Sausages, our clients are demanding more :)

Asked Chef Myke to develop some products for the Liver and Gizzard.

Healthy Sisig anyone? Took some from the freezer to heat and toast a bit in a non-stick electric skillet.

NOW AVAILABLE! Crunchy and with character, Chef Myke used the packs of Gizzard to develop this super Health Sisig. Chef Myke was saying that even with just salt and pepper, the Gizzard was already good, so he knew that spiking it with chillies etc, he was going to have a delicious product.

Our early contribution to Agri-P-Noy!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Air Conditioner

The big poultry buildings use large industrial fans, if they are not tunnel ventilated. That is to give air to the cramped up buildings.

In free range chicken raising, we want to make it comfortable for our chickens too. This size and type of fan is good to lower temperature and give good air circulation for housing and range alike. The rainy season may have started, but then it can get so humid. The fan blows out a very fine mist that cools the air.

Monday, July 19, 2010

AANI Plus

Good news!

During Agrilink 2010 in October, AANI will set up an outdoor, all day consultation tables for almost all aspects of agriculture (vermiculture, free range chicken, organic farming, aquaculture etc). Experts and agri entrepreneurs are the best sources of information. This move will make it flexible for those whose schedules are tight and can't make the scheduled seminars. Aside from the consultation tables, AANI will also schedule seminars in the frequently requested topics :)

We will post schedules here.

Our way of saying thank you for your support.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Casual

Today was the opening of AANI Harvest Festival. Very casual day for us as we knew friends will be there and the event was our homebase group :)
L-R: Pol Rubia, Gerry Manaoag, Pio Rodriguez, Zac Sarian, Doc Rey and Rene Almeda

There were new products and exciting exhibitors so I had fun meeting some people. Different vibes. You know it when its not about agendas :) I hope this new generation is in time to really make changes.

We also looked forward to the seeing again the new Department of Agriculture's Secretary Procy Alcala. This will be our first time to see him after he was named for DA.

We all had good laughs as he saw familiar faces and knew that the "hellos" had no strings attached :) See how honest laughters are!
Department of Agriculture Secretary Procy Alcala

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Sinampalukang Manok

I didn't realize I haven't posted a recipe for Sinampalukang Manok. It is one of our favorites, but I may have forgotten as it is not cooked often. You need real fresh leaves and flowers to get that sweet sour taste that is comfort food for us. When I got a hat of the freshest young leaves and flowerettes....let me share how it was done.

Perfect timing that it was harvest day for our chickens too....

1 whole Sunshine Chicken :), say about 1.2 to 1.5kgsm, chopped
Cooking oil for sauteeing
1 head garlic, I use native ones, peeled, crushed
1 red onion, peeled, sliced
1 finger of yellow ginger, sliced and crushed
Fresh Buko Juice
Bagoong Balayan

A lot of fresh young Tamarind leaves and flowers

1) Put the peeled and crushed garlic with some cooking oil, I use Olive Oil, in a pan. Set the pan in very low heat. Yes, you have it all together. I don't heat the pan first and the oil before the garlic. Slowly let the garlic cook in low fire until it gets tan colored. Let the oil absorb the garlic's flavor.

2) Next the onion, add it to the tanned garlic. Let it slowly cook until it caramelizes. Allow the slow cooking, blend the flavors.

3) Add the yellow ginger to the garlic and onion. Still in low heat, slowly let the juices comes out of the ginger.

4) Next goes the chopped Sunshine Chicken :) Stir it to brown the pieces. Remember, still in low heat.

5) Season with Bagoon Balayan. You may use Patis or Fish Sauce, but I like the Bagoong Balayan more and it is somehow easier to temper and doesn't get over powering.

6) Add Buko Juice, enough to submerge the chickens.   Cover pot and let it slowly cook in low fire, until done.

7) You may season now to taste.

8) Drop the leaves and the flowers inside the pot. Mix so the the leaves are all submerged. Return cover of pot and turn off heat. The leaves will cook from the heat left.

Enjoy :)

Basyang Led Us Here

News of Basyang hitting Isabela made us decide to make a quick trip to the farm in Isabela. Not because of the ranging chickens, as they will surely be able to stand and fend for themselves. It was for the 100 fruit trees we just replanted in the new area being developed.

Yesterday, all was quiet here in Santiago....

The visit allowed us to eat freshly harvested fruits....the Santol was really good and sweet. I have to give it to freshness and chemical free farming :)

On the way out, we saw our Sampalok Tree. Doc Rey took out his hat and gathered our souring ingredient. Sinampalukang Manok is best when you use a lot of young leaves and flowers!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Time For Change?

I had been toying with some ideas...not quite sure if it is a GO or not....we'll see in the next days :) This post made me think I should GO and move.

This morning at the farm, I chanced upon a bedding change being done.

When do you change? Better than scientific 1 2 3, let your senses tell it is time:

1) When you enter the housing or when you clean up and feed, if you feel teary eyed...it is time for change.

2) When you pass the housing and there is a foul smell, it is time for change.

3) I doubt if you will taste it :)

How to change?

1) Some have a thick layer of beddings and they just turn over the layers every so often.

2) In this case, they gathered the used rice hull. They will shovel that into an empty sack. Lay a new layer of fresh rice hull. The used sacked ones may be used for your compost pile for organic fertilizer.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Dialogue With DA Sec Alcala

We were advised last night that DA Sec Procy Alacala had confirmed to attend AANI Harvest Festival opening on July 16 at 8am. Following will be a dialogue with Sec Alcala, that will be open for all.

Join us in this opportunity to meet our new DA Secretary! Open to all. No entrance fees.

AANI Harvest Festival
Quezon Memorial Circle (use Commonwealth gate)
July 16, 8am

File photo taken in 2008. Then Cong. Alcala was always open to discussions and consultations.

Monday, July 05, 2010

Height

Most cases, height is might. The taller, the better.

Not in the case of your heat source in your brooders.

Note the height of the bulbs in this photo:

This was taken during the day, but you can imagine that the chicks will be grouping together at night when the air is cold. That will result in climbing and jumping on top of one another to get closer to the source of heat and to get warmth from the other chicks. Don't smile thinking of a "group hug"! Detrimental to them. A lot will get trampled upon and result in death. Others will get so weak after all that pushing and fighting for space and heat.

Ideally, you have the bulbs at a height grazing their heads and backs. Have the wires around a bar, that you can raise or lower, as needed.

Remember that the best gauge are your eyes. Observe, observe and listen to cries. If they are cold, DO NOT wrap the cage to cut off the cold wind. ADD bulbs or lower the source of heat. They need fresh air circulation.

Just like people When we are cold, we don't close the windows totally, nor pull up the blankets to our heads. We can't breathe and will suffocate. We should have thicker clothing, but not cover face :)