Squash and Pink Salmon RollsWhen January started our rivers overflowed because the year started with non stop heavy rains. Our houses almost drowned in deep flood waters. Because of this I was forced to spend all of our budget intended for the whole month to fix and replace the damages.
Sweet and Spicy Shrimp PasteShrimp paste or "baguong alamang" is one of the best livelihood products in my country. It is an appetiser or could also be used as condiment. This is usually served with rice or paired with green mangoes.
Tuna SisigTuna Sisig is usually served in bars because men like to pair it with their cold beers. Also perfect with rice. Sisig means "to snack on something sour" that's why it's always served drizzled with lime.
Hearty Shrimp SoupWe usually prepare sea foods like prawns and crabs on special occasions. These foods are very expensive in our place that most of us can only afford during special seasons. The past few weeks were special since we are reunited again with family members who got stuck in far away places for months due to lock down. So we had this simple but very special dish.
Ube (Purple Yam) Paste"Halukay Ube" is how we call it. It's a sweetened mashed purple yam mostly used as topping on our famous dessert called "halo-halo". Or it can be used as flavoring on cakes and ice cream or simply use it as sandwich filling.
Homemade Tocino (Spanish Bacon)Tocino is famous in this country which is mostly served during breakfast time. Upon searching the Web, I found out that it is actually not an original dish from the Philippines. According to history of this country, we were influenced a lot by the Spanish people from words, clothing and dishes/recipes and in many other aspects.
Chicken Curry With Fresh Coconut MilkCurry dishes here on the islands are a favorite of mine and especially when I make it with fresh coconut milk. This really adds to the taste of the curry and brings out the flavor. I have made this recipe using shrimp and crab also. No matter what they are delicious and you can add any vegetable that you want. This is also good with fresh broccoli and cauliflower.
Cuttlefish Cubes with Star BeansWe love seafood and its amazing seeing your family members loving all the recipes you cook for them. Cuttlefish is one that my father likes to eat in sweet, savory and spicy flavors. This time no spice as my kids really likes to have them too.
Squash Adobo with Pork BitsThe squash sweetens the pork bits, making it tastier. If you want extenders other than potato, use squash since it's an often used extender for Filipinos.
LomiLet's talk about comfort food. Lomi is another Filipino favorite comfort food. The unique thing about it is that it's made of thick, fresh egg noodles and a thick, delicious soup. It is mostly served during afternoon snacks, breakfast or even almost all meal times.
Hawaiian Fish Paksiw"Paksiw" is Filipino's other traditional way of cooking other than "adobo". We usually do this with leftover roast pigs, but during the regular days (no occasion) we make paksiw with fish.
Coco-Mango Glazed PalitawThis sticky snack is called "palitaw" from the word "litaw" which means float. Its called palitaw because the round flat sticky pieces floats when they are being cooked.
Bukayo (Filipino Coconut Candy)They say coconut is the tree of life. The trunk can be made into a house or furniture, the leaves can be made into a roof or broom, the juice as medicinal water and the meat into different desserts. Here is one most common young coconut meat recipe that we cook and pair with bread, it's popular name is "bukayo".
Flour BallsThis is a recipe we discovered in our local fish market. Vendors claimed it to be fish balls but obviously when you take a bite on it you'll never taste anything but flour and spices. So my husband and I called it "fake balls" or flour balls. But we both do loved it actually and I will show you how it's cooked. This is one famous street food that the locals sell for a living and many tourist would even come and go to buy them.
Filipino Style Mak KimchiThis is a Filipino style kimchi which is common in Korea as a side dish or appetizer.
Filipino Style CheesecakeFilipinos love to create and innovate things. In most of the dishes we learn that originated in other countries, we never fail to make our own version. This one is a famous and all time favorite since our earlier generations.
Pork BinaguonganPork Binaguongan is one of the most loved Filipino food. It's cooked to tenderness with a crisp. Filipinos are known for sweet, savory flavors and it's all packed in this dish. Baguong is actually shrimp paste which is cooked with spicy, savory and sweet flavor and mostly used as a sauce for green mangoes.
Homemade BatchoyBatchoy is a noodle soup made of pork meat topped with pork cracklings and egg. This is best served during winter season, and usually served as afternoon snack.
Colorful Kwek-kwekKwek-kwek is a Filipino street food made of cute quail eggs coated with yellow batter. They are deep fried and served with a variety of sauces. Here's a twisted recipe of kwek-kwek specially made by me. I find it really appealing specially to the kids.
Buko-Pandan CakeNatural is always a good thing especially with food. This recipe uses coconut and no artificial colors and flavoring are added.
Simplified Bicol ExpressBicol express is a traditional dish from the Philippines. The Bicol region is famous of its creamy texture and spicy flavor. This is a type of stew made from coconut milk, chillies, pork, shrimp paste and some other spices. This recipe I'm making is simplified with just coconut milk, chillies and some beans, but it still tastes the same.
Puto Flan BombsThis exciting recipe explodes with cheese and cream in your mouth. That's why I call it a bomb. It is a combination of custard and steamed cheese cake.
Puffed Rice (Ampao)One famous delicacy in some provinces here in the Philippines is the so called "ampao" or puffed rice. I don't know how this is being made into a snack bar but I do have an idea how to simply cook it. Just as easy as 1,2,3 you can have an instant snack made out of leftover steamed rice; just leftovers. So as I always say, at home nothing is wasted.
Binignit (Filipino Dessert Soup)This is the thriftiest snack for me. During holy week "binignit" is what we eat usually every Good Friday. And we cook them in huge pots. A kilo of each kind of ingredient can serve 30-50 individuals that's why most Filipinos choose to sell this food in the market. It costs less but gives you good income.
Sardina EmpanadasEmpanada is a type of pie filled with meat and vegetables. Usually empanadas are deep fried but my version of it is a simple, and a little cheaper. It's baked and instead of using pie crust I was able to make bread dough without yeast!
Pork BinaguonganThis recipe is close to the famous Filipino dish "adobo". Pork is mixed with spicy sweet anchovies which we call "baguong". Also a very well known dish and an all time favorite.
Sans RivalI've been trying to learn how to make the famous Filipino dessert called Sans Rival. I searched for some recipes and I came up with this delicious Sans Rival. I realized I should have made some more meringue to add more layers or make it a little bit thicker. Somehow, the result is still the same sans rival but a very thin version of it.
Crispy Filipino IsawIsaw is a famous Filipino street food usually made from chicken's intestines. Most of the time they are put on skewers for barbecue or they are deep fried. The intestines are turned inside out and washed with flowing water several times then boiled before they are placed on barbecue sticks.
Grilled Eggplant OmeletThere is an abundance of eggplant in many parts of the world. This roasted eggplant omelet can make a thrifty meal.
Water Spinach CrispIn the Philippines, water spinach is known as kangkong or Chinese spinach. This is also one of the most common vegetable ingredient in some Filipino dishes. The recipe I'm sharing is unique and not usually made for everyday meals. Also this crispy spinach recipe is kid friendly.
Chicken and Rice Porridge (Congee)Chicken and rice porridge, also known as "congee" is a popular staple in Asian culture. Perfect for breakfast, cold days or when you are under the weather.
Pork MenudoA traditional food recipe for Filipinos, and it has been mix with different version on it. This recipe was combined in a Filipino/Spanish way because Spanish people has a big influence in my country. Why not try this recipe at home? It's very tasty and healthy!
Banana Blossom RollsEnjoy and have a happy meal! '
Tortang Talong (Eggplant Omelette)An eggplant omelette is called "tortang talong" in my local language. It is basically cooked eggplant and egg served at breakfast time. Here's my twisted version of the tortang talong.
Puto CheesePuto looks more like a muffin. It is a Filipino snack that is traditionally made of rice. It is fluffy, soft and sweet.
Pichi PichiPichi pichi is a gelatinous cassava dessert in the Philippines where most Filipinos eat the delicacy in the morning with hot chocolate or coffee. Sometimes they are eaten during snack time. Here's the recipe.
Abby's LumpiaThis recipe was shared with me by my God Mother, Abadessa. Lumpia has been a staple at every party at my God Mother's house since I was a kid. In my opinion, she makes it the best and this is how she taught me to make it. That said, she never measures anything so this is as close as I can get to her recipe. Today I am going to share with you the standard meat lumpia recipe. Later, I will share with you a vegetarian recipe and even a gluten free recipe that I came up with for my nephew who has a gluten intolerance.
