Chicken Afritada

Chicken Afritada is probably one of the most common Filipino ways of cooking chicken. It’s a tomato-rich braised dish that uses a lot of fresh tomatoes, which ends up in an almost gravy-like sauce. Bone-in chicken is a must as it helps in developing the sauce, together with the vegetables common to this type of …

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Pinakbet (Ilocano-Style)

If Adobo is the unofficial national dish of the Philippines, Pinakbet (to me) is its equivalent in the Ilocano cuisine. With a myriad of vegetables that represent the bounty of the north’s fertile soil, this dish definitely speaks what Ilocos region has to offer. The name originated from the word pinakebbet which means “shriveled” or …

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Beef Caldereta (Kalderetang Baka)

Beef Caldereta

Though I think pork is mostly the meat of choice in Filipino cuisine, there are beef dishes that are integral in our cooking. Two of the most popular ones are the Beef Mechado and this other hearty stew, Beef Caldereta. People at times get confused as to what the difference is between these two. For …

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Pork and Potato Omelet (Tortang Giniling)

Pork and Potato Omelet (Tortang Giniling)

Our 2 smaller kids have been doing online (only) classes since the pandemic started. The eldest, who’s in high school, goes every other day and my hubby has been working remotely since March of last year. So most of the time, we are all home. This scenario has its own perks and challenges. Being together …

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Quick and Easy Tofu in Sweet-Chili Sauce

My family (except for the littlest one) loves tofu. It’s one food item that’s a “regular” inside our fridge. From soft to the extra firm kind, I whip something up for them depending on their mood. I steam, deep fry, stir fry, and add it as the main protein in their favorite food like Pancit. …

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Beef Pares (Beef Brisket Stew – Instant Pot or Stovetop)

Beef Pares 1

We have lived in Sampaloc, Manila since I started college at UST (University of Santo Tomas). That was also my last place of residence before moving to North America. And though quiet moments were few and far between, I somehow got used to the hustle and bustle of the busy city. Convenience was definitely on …

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Pork Binagoongan with Fried Eggplant

Pork Binagoongan

Bagoong Alamang (sauteed shrimp paste) is “ulam” by itself. Add some freshly squeezed lemon juice and you have a meal. The downside to this umami-rich condiment is that it’s a magnet for rice. I don’t think I have ever eaten bagoong with just a tiny bit of rice. That’s why, this is also in the …

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Ginataang Hipon (Shrimps in Thick Coconut Sauce)

Ginataang Hipon 1

Coconuts grow well in the Philippines. Having said that, dishes made with coconut milk are common and every province (some more than others) has their own take on a “Ginataan” (cooked in coconut milk) dish. It can be a savory main dish, a sweet dessert or a snack item that has coconut milk as its …

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Layered Tikoy (Sweet Rice Cake/Nian Gao)

Tikoy 4

We love tikoy! It’s the first food that comes to mind when we think of Chinese New Year. We had this habitual trip to Binondo weeks prior to the Lunar New Year to get our hands on this well-loved delicacy. My parents would always buy tons of the white-colored ones, mostly to share with families …

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Chicken Macaroni Salad (Filipino-Style)

Chicken Macaroni Salad 5

We (Filipinos) love our salad a little on the sweeter side… sometimes a lot. Haha! Aside from that, we also like it creamier than usual (I’m sometimes guilty of that). In the past, whenever I searched for a macaroni salad recipe, the word “creamy” had to be included, otherwise I won’t even consider reading it. …

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