It’s a lazy day. I’ve spent most of the morning menu planning for the next two weeks. Not that I always follow my plan. Life sometimes gets in the way, but at least I take comfort in the knowledge that I have a plan! As I look over my menu, I can’t help but to notice that there’s a heavy Asian-Pacific Islander influence in the meals I’ve selected. Maybe I’m just getting back to the basics of my roots – if that were possible. I’m a Heinz 57 of sorts – Filipino, Spanish, Native American, Irish and English with just a splash of Chinese thrown in for good measure. Yet most people mistake me for Italian or Mexican. Go figure . . . guess it must be the dark eyes.
Category: Filipino Cooking
Fabulous Filipino Barbecue
My family spent the summer of 1965 in the Philippines, getting to know Mom’s side of the family. We stayed in her childhood home and immersed ourselves in a world that at first glance seemed very different from the one we knew “back home” in America. Yet, strip away the outward surroundings, and it really wasn’t different at all. The same can be said for families everywhere. Families gathered, visited, enjoyed one another and ate. When you think about it, a typical family scene plays out every day throughout the world. The “native” foods vary from country to country and the language spoken might not be the same, but the warmth, laughter and the love for one another are universal.
Spicy Shrimp Skewers
I’ve been searching my recipes for anything grill worthy, preparing for yet another awesome grilling season ahead. When I came across a clipping from allrecipes.com; I knew I had to share. The ingredients reminded me of another favorite around here, Filipino Barbecue – an awesome skewered dish for another day. It was the familiar use of garlic and banana ketchup that struck a chord in me. I would even be willing to bet these barbecued dishes would be terrific served together.
Sticky Filipino Spare Ribs
Have you ever had your appetite wet for something, only to be forced to settle for something else instead? I had been craving Asian Marinated Flank Steak with a side of Spicy Asian Stir-Fry Spaghetti– a family favorite that we haven’t had in a while. You know how it is when you get it in your head that this is what you want, and you are crushed when life gets in the way. It’s like driving to your favorite ice cream parlor for a big scoop of Butter Brickle only to find the place closed. There you are, with your nose pressed against the glass, knowing that no other ice cream flavor will do and this is the only place in town to serve it.
Filipino-American Pork Chops Adobo Style
There are certain “firsts” that just stick with you – first kiss, first dance and the first time you cooked for a boy. Yep, this is what I made, along with some green beans and sticky rice. My parents even let me set up a cozy table for two in the living room and kept my younger siblings out, although I can still hear the snickering – especially from Brother Dear. I sometimes think the reason God created little brothers in the first place is to torment big sisters.
Romance and Maria Luisa’s Leche Flan
Did you know that May is National Asian-American and Pacific Islander month? Me either! In light of this revelation, I wanted to start the month off with something special to honor my Filipino-Spanish mother.
Picadillo – Filipino-American Style
My love for cooking came from my parents. They knew their way around the kitchen, and Mom loved to entertain. Our home was always filled with people – extended family, neighbors, friends. Ours was the house with the door open to everyone and plenty of good food to share. Many of the recipes I like to share come from those warm memories.
Filipino Pancit with Everything but the Kitchen Sink
Like most Filipino dishes, there is no “right” way to make Pancit. Each family has its own take on the dish, and within any given family, there are variations. The basics are Pancit Noodles, meat, vegetables and hard-boiled eggs. Beyond that, the sky is the limit. You can put just about anything but the kitchen sink into your Pancit, and it would be just fine.
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Mom’s Basic Fried Rice with a Dash of Tagalog
Growing up in a mixed culture household, rice often graced our dinner table. While other families dined on mashed potatoes with creamy gravy, we ate a ton of white rice smothered in that same delicious gravy. Oh sure, if there were a roast in the oven, it was a safe bet that our starchy side for the evening were potatoes. However; more often than not those spuds were not mashed but rather quartered and roasted alongside the beef, soaking in all those wonderful flavors of the pan drippings.
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