Rich and Powerful. . . Philippine Cuisine

In a country where happiness reigns supreme, it is no wonder how delectable every moment is when spent anywhere in its 7,107 islands. From one end to another, you will be treated to an array of festive merrymaking and celebrations that will surely have your cameras full with still and moving images – like any other.

Celebrations in the country is nothing compared in any other parts of the globe. I may be biased as I am Filipino born and raised but having spent time abroad, it's different when you are home. The vast dining table displaying sumptuous Filipino food recipes is a staple in any household.

True, the Philippines is not as financially endowed as the others but our ability to rise above challenges is what sets us apart from the rest. Every dish and recipe has a history. It has a story.. it is in itself a delicious story that holds forth secrets of the past.

From one recipe of adobo to another, kalderetang kambing to baka and even to exotic favorites, Philippine cuisine has truly made an impact to the world. Not only is our dishes easy on the budget and easy to prepare but they too are flavorful and savory unlike any other. We do not compromise the taste; neither do we compromise the ingredients used.

Fresh ingredients abound every where you look. From local produce to seafoods, the Philippines is a chestful of eveything you need for a feast. Not only that, for us Filipinos, cooking is already a feast in itself. With merrymaking as a primordial factor, nothing in the country is done without a smile in our faces.

When visiting the country, make sure to come during the festival season – which is, by the way, all year round. Do not plan on a definite itinerary. Instead, follow where your nose and feet leads you. Commute and experience rubbing elbows with the locals. Eat with them and you'll be in for a surprise. Here's a tip: the best tasting dishes are not found inside the malls!

With a bountiful harvest, expect nothing but the best tasting Philippine cuisine dishes from anywhere in the country. If you cannot seem to get enough (which is likely to happen), we too have a number of souvenir shops that carry a wide selection of food choices that represent each region in the country! 

Delectable Journey in the Philippines

Image from: iclipart.com

Why do I travel? – a personal question that even I cannot answer. For a self-confessed wanderlust, I love the idea of booking a ticket, packing my bag and getting lost in a country (or city) unknown to me. I love the idea of stumbling upon petty misfortunes that turn into memories. In other words, I love to experience the many complexities of life.

In the Philippines, I am no different. Born and raised in one of the riches city in the country, I am lucky to have experienced a mixture of local and foreign influences that molded me to be the wanderlust that I am today. I see things in many different angles. Same goes with my food preference, Philippine cuisine, for me, is a historical mixture of delicious moments meant to be shared.

Just like, say, the adobo. For most of us, it's a typical braised chicken or pork stewed with vinegar and soy sauce to create a medley of flavors. On my end, I see it as an opportunity for us, Filipinos, to showcase our ability to mix and match flavors.

Imagine, a simple recipe of adobo has many versions. From all corners of the country, you will surely find a recipe that speaks of the city or town that you are in. We have the vinegar-soy sauce adobo then there's the ginataang adobo and then the chicken and pork adobo. Although the ingredients are the same, the variation usually is because of the local staple found in the locality.

It's not like we do not have an identity of our own when it comes to food, cooking and eating. We do. In all truth, we do. It's just that we want to make a mark of our own. In other words, we want to customize everything and call it our own. Our ingenuity pushes us to be creative in everything we do – even in our food.

Everywhere you go, you'll be treated to an extensive menu of gastronomically enticing dishes that are truly “Pinoy”. From the appetizer to the main dish to the dessert, you'll be in an adventure the moment you take a bite. This is not an exageration – this is the truth that everyone can attest to!

So, why do I travel?  Simple. I travel to satisfy my craving for a gastronomic adventure that only Philippine cuisine can give me.

Delectable Journey in the Philippines

Why do I travel? – a personal question that even I cannot answer. For a self-confessed wanderlust, I love the idea of booking a ticket, packing my bag and getting lost in a country (or city) unknown to me. I love the idea of stumbling upon petty misfortunes that turn into memories. In other words, I love to experience the many complexities of life.

In the Philippines, I am no different. Born and raised in one of the riches city in the country, I am lucky to have experienced a mixture of local and foreign influences that molded me to be the wanderlust that I am today. I see things in many different angles. Same goes with my food preference, Philippine cuisine, for me, is a historical mixture of delicious moments meant to be shared.

Just like, say, the adobo. For most of us, it's a typical braised chicken or pork stewed with vinegar and soy sauce to create a medley of flavors. On my end, I see it as an opportunity for us, Filipinos, to showcase our ability to mix and match flavors.

Imagine, a simple recipe of adobo has many versions. From all corners of the country, you will surely find a recipe that speaks of the city or town that you are in. We have the vinegar-soy sauce adobo then there's the ginataang adobo and then the chicken and pork adobo. Although the ingredients are the same, the variation usually is because of the local staple found in the locality.

It's not like we do not have an identity of our own when it comes to food, cooking and eating. We do. In all truth, we do. It's just that we want to make a mark of our own. In other words, we want to customize everything and call it our own. Our ingenuity pushes us to be creative in everything we do – even in our food.

Everywhere you go, you'll be treated to an extensive menu of gastronomically enticing dishes that are truly “Pinoy”. From the appetizer to the main dish to the dessert, you'll be in an adventure the moment you take a bite. This is not an exageration – this is the truth that everyone can attest to!

So, why do I travel?  Simple. I travel to satisfy my craving for a gastronomic adventure that only Philippine cuisine can give me.

365 Days of Gastronomic Festival

image from: 365cpop.wordpress.com

Of the many festivals (or fiesta)  in the country, what is your favorite?

If you are a foreigner exploring the many islands of the archipelago, then you'll surely be in for a surprise. From one plateful of freshly cooked traditional Filipino food to another, there's nothing that can stop you from smiling ear to ear.

Yes, we Filipinos love to celebrate. And with every celebration, an unlimited supply of merrymaking, drinks and food is always a dining table staple. Every household is dressed to the occasion and more so, smells for the occasion.

Imagine walking around a town full of people from all walks of life and smelling the best of local dishes. Yes, this is a typical scene – even without a festival this is prevalent. For us, everyday is a reason to celebrate. . . also, to cook and eat, of course!

Personally, I love festivals. I love the town parade, late night shows at the town hall and party scene. I love the noisy night market and food stalls that features the best local cuisines in town. From appetizers to main course to dessert, festivals are the best if you want to go local.

More so, it is during festivals that you are able to buy locally grown produce in cheap bundles. I mean, go loco for pesticide-free greens and reds in one corner and fresh from the farm fruits on another. Munch on some freshly cooked kakanin and make your way around town with the help of friendly locals. With such an abundance, you'll surely have a blast turning them into kitchen favorites for all to love and enjoy.

Of the many festivals we have, I cannot choose a favorite. I have been to a number and I must say, the experience varies from one island to another. Even for a local like me, I always am surprised of the warmth and hospitality of people from all over. Whether you are friends with them or not, it does not matter. For at the end of the day, everyone's goal is to have fun and create memories to last a lifetime.

True enough, Philippine cuisine plays an integral part in every celebration. It is not authentic without a kakanin or pansit on the table. Most certainly not complete without a lechon on the center for all to feast on. Hence, the next time you visit our country, make it a point to join in the festivities and eat! See you!

6 Delicious Filipino Dishes that's Worth a Bite

Filipino dishes might not be as popular as Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai, these are still worth a try. With 7,107 islands and an interesting history, this archipelago certainly has a wide variety of cuisines that are worth a try.

There's actually more to Filipino food than the famous, mind-boggling balut (duck embryo). Blessed with tropical fruits, creative cooks and seafood, you wouldn't know where to start!

1. Adobo

image from: budgetbytes.com

Ah! No list will ever be complete without adobo. This universal dish is, in fact, present in almost every household in the Philippines. Even though it has a Mexican origin, Filipinos found a way to make it their own. Cooked in vinegar, garlic, pepper, salt, soy sauce and other spices, this was a practical way to preserve chicken or pork with refrigeration.

2. Lechon

image from: lechonking.com

One, if not, the star of every dining celebration in the country.  Spit-roasted over coals, an entire pig turns golden-brown and served with liver sauce. To give it an extra flare, Cebuanos stuff the pig's stomach with pepper, star anise, laurel leaves, spring onions and lemon grass.

3. Sisig

image from: spot.ph

When it comes to this country, nothing goes to waste! This applies to the Sisig -- a sizzling dish made out of pork's head, cheeks and liver. Just add hot sauce and liquid seasoning, this chewy crunchy appetizer is the perfect beer pair!

4. Crispy Pata

image from: balita.com

Crispy pata is simmered pork knuckles, drained and deep fried until crispy. With a tender, juicy inside and crispy outside,  you will certainly ask for more!

5. Chicken Inasal

image from: dishmaps.com

When it comes to the citizens of Bacolod, this is no ordinary grilled chicken. The meat is marinated in calamansi, lemongrass, pepper, salt, garlic and brushed with achuete (annatto seeds) oil. For a best dining experience, serve with a generous amount of garlic rice and oil.

6. Kare- Kare

image from: maggi.ph

Made from crushed peanuts and ground toasted rice, kare-kare has the most delectable and nutty sauce in the world! To make it complete, it is mixed with eggplants, banana blossom and string beans! This stew of oxtail should be eaten with steamed rice and bagoong (shrimp paste).

Is your mouth salivating? I sure hope so!

What are you waiting for? Go ahead and visit the nearest restaurant that will serve the best Philippine cuisine to you and your family!

Celebrating Noche Buena Abroad

Image from: clarkisit.com

No matter where we live, nothing will ever compare to the Christmas in the Philippines. There will always be that Simbang Gabi we attend for nine consecutive days and not to mention the bazaars and tiangges held throughout December. Indeed, Filipinos really know how to celebrate the true spirit of this holiday.

For those who are living abroad, they are seldom faced with a dilemma – how do we recreate a perfect Filipino food to celebrate this festive season?  Typical, yes, but a reality that most of us are faced with!

Do you want to experience a fusion of culinary goodness that highlights the best flavors while maintaining a Filipino essence? Here are 5 dishes you might want to try.

1. Chicken Lemon Orzo Soup

Made from fresh chicken broth, eggs, rice or orzo pasta and lemon zest, this lemon orzo soup will remind you of the traditional arroz caldo.  This will give hints of garlic and calamansi of the arroz caldo, but there is something about this soup that's different. Its flavors are indeed comforting and you know that you're tasting a new dish.

2. Queso de Bola Bibingka Souffle

Bibingka and queso de bola in one dish? This is a treat that will totally make your visitors come back for more! Pretty sure your grandparents wouldn't mind seeing their favorite bibingka baked in a different twist. And oh, the classic queso de bola makes it more special!

3. Ube Macaron

Make way for this delectable French dessert that will make your knees weak! This macaron will embellish your table like those dainty pearls on a black dress. More than that, the added ube flavor will give you a feel of home.

4. Dulce de Leche Flan

Noche Buena will never be complete without leche flan, an iconic dessert in the Philippines. This time, we turn it a notch by making this custard treat into a cheesecake. Your friends and family will be in for a surprise once they sink their teeth in this creamier and richer decadent dessert.

5. Porchetta ala Lechon Cebu

Don't you just miss the taste of lechon? Well, you can have one this Christmas! Porchetta ala Lechon Cebu is a smaller version of the traditional one, making it perfect if you're a family of four. This savory and delicious pork dish is a guaranteed crowd pleaser!

Can't you just wait for Christmas to come? With local ingredients and a touch of Philippine cuisine, you'll surely have a taste of home anywhere you are!