Filipino Food 101: Everything You Need to Know About the Philippines’ Culinary Heritage
Written by: Richie A Bongo
Filipino cuisine is a rich and diverse blend of influences from various cultures and regions. It reflects the history, geography, and identity of the Filipino people. In this blog post, I will share with you some of the most delicious and authentic Filipino dishes that you can try at home. You will discover the flavors, ingredients, techniques, and traditions that make Filipino food unique and appealing.
Filipino food is often described as a fusion of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, American, and indigenous cuisines. The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, each with its own culinary specialties and variations. The country's location in Southeast Asia also exposes it to the spices, herbs, fruits, and vegetables of the region. Moreover, the Philippines has a long history of colonization and trade with different countries, which introduced new ingredients, dishes, and cooking methods to the local cuisine.
Some of the common elements of Filipino food are rice, coconut, vinegar, garlic, onion, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce, calamansi (Philippine lime), chili peppers, and sugar. Rice is the staple food and is usually served with every meal. Coconut is used in various forms such as milk, cream, oil, water, and meat. Vinegar is a key ingredient in many dishes as it adds acidity and preserves the food. Garlic, onion, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce, calamansi, chili peppers, and sugar are used to season and flavor the dishes.
Filipino food is also known for its diversity and creativity. There are many regional specialties that showcase the local produce and preferences of each area. For example, Bicol Express is a spicy dish of pork cooked in coconut milk and chili peppers from the Bicol region. Lechon is a whole roasted pig that is a festive dish from Cebu. Pancit Malabon is a noodle dish with seafood and sauce from Malabon. There are also many variations of the same dish depending on the ingredients available or the personal taste of the cook. For example, adobo can be made with chicken, pork, beef, fish, squid, or vegetables and can be cooked in different ways such as dry or saucy.
Filipino food is not only delicious but also nutritious and satisfying. It offers a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It also incorporates many healthy ingredients such as vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts, and herbs. Filipino food can cater to different dietary needs and preferences such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or low-carb.
In this blog post, I will introduce you to some of the most popular and iconic Filipino dishes that you can easily prepare at home. You will learn how to make adobo (the national dish), sinigang (a sour soup), lumpia (a type of spring roll), halo-halo (a colorful dessert), and many more. You will also learn some tips and tricks on how to make your Filipino dishes more authentic and flavorful. I hope you will enjoy this culinary journey with me as we explore the wonderful world of Filipino cuisine!
Here are some of the Filipino recipes that I will introduce to you:
1. Letchon Baboy
Lechon Baboy is a popular Filipino dish that consists of a whole roasted pig. It's often prepared for special occasions and celebrations, and the pig is typically marinated and roasted until the skin becomes crispy and the meat tender and flavorful. It's a delicious and festive dish enjoyed by many in the Philippines.
2. Tinolang Manok
Tinolang Manok is a popular Filipino chicken soup dish made with chicken, ginger, garlic, and various vegetables like green papaya and chili leaves. It's known for its comforting and flavorful broth.
3. Chicken Barbeque
Chicken barbecue is a popular dish where chicken is marinated and cooked on a barbecue grill, often with a flavorful barbecue sauce. It's a delicious and savory option for outdoor gatherings and cookouts.
4. Law - uy
Law-uy is a Filipino vegetable soup recipe that contains various vegetables boiled in water. It is also called Utan Bisaya, which means "vegetables, Visayan style" . It is a simple, healthy, and nutritious dish that originated from the Visayas region in the Philippines .
5. Menudo
Filipino menudo is a pork stew with tomato sauce, liver, potatoes, carrots, raisins, and hotdogs. It is a common dish for special occasions and family gatherings. It is usually served with rice and has a sweet and savory flavor. Some people also add green peas, bell peppers, or cheese to their menudo.
6. Chicken Adobo
7. Kare - kare
Kare-Kare is a traditional Filipino stew complimented with a thick savory peanut sauce. The commonly used meats for this dish are ox tail, tripe, and pork leg; on some occasions goat and chicken meat are also used. Besides the peanuts, this dish depends on the shrimp paste (on the side) in order to be fully enjoyed.
8. Lechon Manok
Lechon Manok is a popular Filipino dish that is usually roasted over charcoal. It is a whole chicken that is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and other spices. There are many ways to cook Lechon Manok, but the most common way is to roast it over charcoal. However, there are also other ways to cook it such as baking it in the oven or using a turbo broiler.
9. Dinuguan
Dinuguan is a Filipino dish that is made with pork and pork blood. It is also known as blood stew or chocolate meat because of its dark color. Dinuguan is usually served with rice or puto, a type of steamed rice cake. There are different versions of dinuguan depending on the region and the preference of the cook. Some use vinegar, some use tamarind, and some use tomato sauce to add sourness and flavor to the dish. Some also add pork innards such as ears, intestines, heart, lungs, and kidneys to make it more hearty and rich.
10. Kinilaw na Isda
Kinilaw na Isda is a Filipino dish that consists of raw fish marinated in vinegar and other ingredients. It is similar to ceviche, a dish from Peru and other Latin American countries. Kinilaw na Isda is usually served as an appetizer or a snack, and it is often paired with beer or liquor. Some of the common fish used for Kinilaw na Isda are tuna, tanigue , talakitok , and lapu-lapu.
If you want to learn more about the recipes and instructions on how to cook, just visit their own website.
In Conclusion,
Filipino cuisine is a rich and diverse blend of influences from different cultures and regions. It reflects the history, geography, and identity of the Filipino people. Whether you are looking for a hearty breakfast, a satisfying lunch, a festive dinner, or a sweet dessert, you can find a Filipino recipe that suits your taste and preference. In this blog post, we have shared some of the most popular and delicious Filipino dishes that you can try at home. From adobo to halo-halo, these recipes will make you fall in love with Filipino food. We hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and learned something new about Filipino cuisine. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at info@richcompass.com. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
