Winter Recipe Ideas
Bicol Express
Spicy and Creamy Stewed pork in Coconut Milk What is Bicol Express According to Wikipedia, The dish was named by Laguna resident, Cely Kalaw, during a cooking competition in the 1970s in Malate, Manila. The name of the dish was inspired by the Bicol Express railway train (Philippine National Railways) that operated from Tutuban, Manila […]
Chicken & Chayote Ginger Soup
Tinola na May Sayote “Hindi sa akin yan…Sayo te!” A friend jokingly commented, to many people they know the vegetable as ‘chayote’ in Filipino language it’s ‘sayote’ haha! Tinola is a classic Filipino dish with the chicken, ginger and either chayote or green papaya. When my papa taught me how to cook this dish at […]
Rice Balls Pudding
Ginataang Bilo Bilo Sweet creamy pudding with sticky rice balls cooked with fruits, sweet potatoes and tapioca pearls in coconut milk. What is Ginataang Bilo Bilo? Also known as Binignit or Ginataang Halo Halo and it’s eaten as merienda or snacks and sometimes as a dessert during festivals and celebrations. The word ‘ginataan [ge-na-ta-an] refers […]
Pancit Molo
Pork and Prawns Noodle Dumpling Soup. A Filipino version of Wonton Soup Okay okay…let’s get the most asked question about this dish out of the way. Why is it called Pancit (noodle) but it doesn’t have noodles? Well the answer is really simple and staring you right in the face! The wrappers are the noodles! […]
Crispy Pork in Peanut Sauce
Lechon Kawali na Kare Kare Kare Kare is usually cooked with oxtail, I wanted to jazz it’s up a little and see what other meat I can use for this dish. Lechon kawali is twice cooked pork belly, it’s first boiled then fried to crisp. It’s a mash up of two Filipino dishes. This dish […]
Kaldereta
A Hearty Beef & Liver Stew with Olives and Tomatoes *RECIPE UPDATED What is Kaldereta or Caldereta Kaldereta’s also known as Caldereta name is derived from the Spanish word caldera meaning cauldron. This dish is one of those dishes that was brought to the Philippines during the Spanish colonisation. The origin is not confirmed but […]
Pinakbet na Purong Gulay
Vegan Pinakbet – A vegetable medley cooked with salted black beans. Pinakbet is a regional dish from Ilocos, north of Philippines. What is Pinakbet? Pinakbet or Pakbet is a dish from Ilocos and Its name came from the Ilocano word pinakebbet which means “shriveled”, in reference to the vegetables being sweated in the pot over […]
Creamy Chicken Macaroni Soup
Macaroni Sopas A comforting one pot wonder that fills you up and cuddle you from the inside.. It’s creamy, filling and soupy just perfect for rainy days. I asked the my daughters what they would like to eat for dinner. It’s been a rainy autumn we are having this year. Both of the girls thought […]
Arroz caldo
Chicken and Rice Porridge with Ginger A comforting dish that will hug you from the inside! Perfect for those gloomy days to feed your soul. Yes, it sounds Spanish but don’t be fooled, this dish is influenced by our Chinese neighbours and closely resembles Congee (a Chinese rice porridge dish). What is Arroz Caldo? Arrozcaldo […]
Beef Broth with Bone Marrow
Bulalo ng Batangas This dish is one of my favourites! I cook this all year round even in the summer months! It’s so comfy and satisfying that it hugs you inside and out. As my father would say “if it doesn’t make you sweat, it’s not a good soup”. My recipe is inherited from my […]
Pork Ribs Sour Soup with Tamarind
Sinigang na Buto ng Baboy sa Sampalok Rain or Shine this dish does not disappoint. I remember my papa would tell me that “a good soup should make you sweat”. He would make some sinigang and as soon as he takes off the heat we would eat it straight away and I love putting so […]
Chicken Noodle Soup
Pancit Lomi A comforting Chicken noodle soup that will leave you slurping your bowl like no one’s business! What is Pancit Lomi? Batangas Pancit Lomi is one of those dishes that was influenced by our Chinese neighbors. As an example, In 1968 a businessman called To Kim Eng came to the Philippines and settled. He […]
Presko na Salabat
Fresh Ginger and Turmeric Tea with Lemon and Honey What is Salabat Salabat is a hot drink in the Philippines usually made for someone who is feeling under the weather. It’s a great tea with plenty of benefits for the body including anti-inflammatories, improving circulation in your body and it’s good for your immune system! […]
Kinulob na Manok
One Pot Braised Chicken A whole chicken braised with chorizo, bacon and spices. Kinulob na Manok is a whole chicken traditionally cooked in a large clay pot called ‘Palayok’ and cooked over wood on low heat for a few hours. Banana leaves are used to line the chicken and on top to keep the heat […]
Noodle Soup with Chicken & Pork
La Paz Batchoy Batchoy [bat-choy] is a popular noodle dish originated from the district of La Paz, Iloilo in Philippines, that is why the dish is called La Paz Batchoy. Traditionally, it is cooked with pork offal and liver, but today there many variations to this dish. My version doesn’t have offal or kidney but […]
Stewed Chicken in Tomato Sauce
Menudo Nope! This is not about Ricky Martin or his boy band, this is a delicious chicken stew with a Spanish name seen at many Filipino gatherings. I know what you’re thinking, why do we have this dish in the Philippines? This dish ties us to Spain, Philippines was a Spanish colony for 300+ years. […]
Ginisang Monggo na May Manok
Sautéed Mung Beans and Chicken with Spinach What is Ginisang Monggo Ginisang Monggo is usually eaten on a friday and according to Yummy.ph “this custom stems from the Philippines’ predominantly Catholic population, which refrains from eating meat during Friday every Lenten season. Catholics typically abstain from meat as a form of sacrifice, and monggo was […]
Clams and Ginger Soup
Tinolang Tulya A simple yet comforting clams and ginger soup, eaten on it own or with some steamed jasmine rice. What is Tinolang Tulya Tinola is a classic Filipino dish enjoyed by Filipinos in and outside of the Philippines. Filipinos loves this dish as it’s comforting and delicious especially during rainy and cold months. Tinola […]
Kare Kare
Oxtail Peanut Stew with Peanut Butter Kare kare is oxtail stew cooked with roasted & grounded peanuts, unsweetened Peanut Butter and vegetables served with white rice. A very comforting and delicious dish that Filipinos LOVE! What is Kare kare? [ka-ri-kari] Kare Kare has a colourful history, pretty much the same as the Philippines history. There […]
Sinigang na Buto ng Baboy sa Sampalok
Easy Sour Soup Pork Ribs braised in Tamarind paste Sinigang is a popular Filipino sour soup dish and one of my favorite foods when it’s gloomy and raining or cold in London Town. There are many variations to this dish just like Adobo. It can vary from the protein you use, either meat or fish […]
Leyte Humba
Oozing with savoury, sweet flavours and melt in your mouth pork bites, here’s my Braised Pork Belly in soy sauce and vinegar with salted black beans, palm sugar and star anise. What is Humba? Let’s get this completely clear, Humba is NOT Adobo! They both are braised with soy sauce and vinegar. Both have bay […]
One Pot Braised Pork
Easy Visayan Humba Make sure you cook plenty of rice for this dish because you’re going to need it! Humba is popular in Visaya, Central – Southern Philippines. It’s sometimes mistaken for Patatim because of a few similar ingredients but the main difference is that Patatim does not have any star anise or fermented black […]
Christmas Recipe Ideas
Steamed Xmas Rice Cakes
Puto Bumbong What is Puto Bumbong Puto Bumbong is one of the most popular Christmas related delicacies in the Philippines. It falls into the ‘kakanin’ or rice cakes variety. The word ‘Puto’ means glutinous and ‘Bumbong’ is Bamboo. This rice cake is steamed in a bamboo tube using a special steamer. Puto Bumbong is made […]
Drinks Inspo
Presko na Salabat
Fresh Ginger and Turmeric Tea with Lemon and Honey What is Salabat Salabat is a hot drink in the Philippines usually made for someone who is feeling under the weather. It’s a great tea with plenty of benefits for the body including anti-inflammatories, improving circulation in your body and it’s good for your immune system! […]
Sago’t Gulaman
Brown Sugar syrup drink with Tapioca Pearls and Strawberry Jelly. What is Sago’t Gulaman Sago’t Gulaman literally means tapioca pearls and jelly. This delicious drink is something I remember getting as a kid while my parents bought groceries at the market. The street vendors will be on the side of the streets waiting around for […]
Sweet Things
Cassava Cake
Sweet and Moist Cake with Young Coconut What is Cassava Cake? Cassava cake is unique to the Philippines although the root crop cassava came from Latin America during the Spanish colonization through the Manila – Acapulco trading route. It’s a traditional moist cake with a custard-like topping. It’s usually eaten as snacks but it can […]
Avocado & Strawberry Jam Ice Cream
No Churn Ice Cream with just 4 ingredients that is easy to make and everyone would love it!
Leche Flan Cake
What is Leche Flan Cake Leche Flan Cake also known as Custard Cake and it’s is probably the most decadent Filipino dessert I have ever tried! Not only that you get to eat a delicious cake at the end but the process of making this cake is so magical to me. How the cake batter […]
Steamed Xmas Rice Cakes
Puto Bumbong What is Puto Bumbong Puto Bumbong is one of the most popular Christmas related delicacies in the Philippines. It falls into the ‘kakanin’ or rice cakes variety. The word ‘Puto’ means glutinous and ‘Bumbong’ is Bamboo. This rice cake is steamed in a bamboo tube using a special steamer. Puto Bumbong is made […]
No Churn Biscoff Ice Cream
Deliciously quick to make ice cream, you only need 4 ingredients and you don’t need an ice cream churner! If you saw my Ube (purple yam) Ice cream, you’re going to love this one too! It’s fitting that this week we are enjoying some lovely sunshine and probably the last warmer days just before we […]
Maruya
Banana Fritters What is Maruya Maruya are banana fritters usually with ‘Saba’ banana local to Philippines, coated with batter and fried until golden. It’s sprinkled with more sugar to give more sweetness. You can choose your favourite toppings to go with it of course! Let’s talk about ingredients With this recipe, because I live in […]
Steamed Sticky Rice Cake
Kutsinta A sweet glutinous rice cakes topped with freshly grated coconut meat. A great snack or dessert that is also vegan! What is Kutsinta? Apparently it was named after a pre-colonial kitchen equipment for its flattened, saucer-like shape according to pepper.ph. Kutsinta is a ‘kakanin’ they are a variety of different types of rice cakes […]
Rice Balls Pudding
Ginataang Bilo Bilo Sweet creamy pudding with sticky rice balls cooked with fruits, sweet potatoes and tapioca pearls in coconut milk. What is Ginataang Bilo Bilo? Also known as Binignit or Ginataang Halo Halo and it’s eaten as merienda or snacks and sometimes as a dessert during festivals and celebrations. The word ‘ginataan [ge-na-ta-an] refers […]
Steamed Sweet Cassava Cake
Pichi Pichi Simply delicious steamed sweet cassava cake covered in freshly grated coconut meat. This Vegan sweetness is great as a snack or dessert! What is Pichi Pichi? Pichi pichi or Pitsi pitsi is made from grated cassava or manioc mixed with water or coconut milk and sugar. The mixture is poured into molders and […]
Taho
Sweet Tofu Pudding TAHOOOO! The distinctive shout that the street vendor calls while making his round. You immediately grab your money and run outside making sure you don’t miss him. Pssst! You call the vendor, he comes over and starting assembling your taho. He first take a cup (you provide a cup too), he then […]
Cook's Diary
Cooks Diary
Santa Maria Pizza Review
Pizza is Love…Pizza love! It’s not a secret that I love Pizza. The husband surprised the family and treated us to some pizza. I thought why not review it too, 2 birds and all that. Haha! I didn’t know where he was taking us, I was definitely intrigued. When we arrived at the place and […]
Marugame Udon Review
Okay so it’s half term again for the schools in the UK. For those who are not familiar with the school system in the UK, schools have 1 week off and the kids are home during this week. For us parents, this is not such an exciting week as we have to take some time […]