Filipino cuisine is full of flavor and culture. It boasts a mix of influencing from the island nation’s history, from Spanish and American colonialism to the flavors of nearby countries. Filipino dishes are often heavy in garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, and spices like chili. Adobo, a popular marinade and cooking style involving vinegar, garlic and soy sauce, is the unofficial national dish of the Philippines.
But adobo is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Filipino food. From traditional favorites like Nasi Goreng, Sinigang, and Kalamay, to more creative fusion dishes like Ube Wontons, Kare-Kare Empanadas, and Filipino Sushi Rolls, the possibilities are almost endless. Here, we take a look at traditional and fusion Filipino recipes that every cook should know.
Adobo – A Traditional Filipino Classic
Adobo is perhaps the most famous Filipino dish. It involves marinating and stewing poultry, pork, beef, or seafood in a mixture of vinegar, garlic, and soy sauce. With its warm and savory flavor, it’s no wonder adobo is so popular.
This traditional dish can be made with pork or chicken, or with a combination of both. Traditionally, the pieces of meat are marinated in a mixture of vinegar and garlic for several hours, or even overnight. After being marinated, the pieces are then cooked in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, onion, and a variety of spices.
Most commonly, adobo is served over steamed white rice, and it’s a great dish for entertaining as it can easily be doubled or tripled. Alternatively, it can also be used to make delicious filling for tacos, burritos, and quesadillas.
Sinigang – the Classic Sour and Savory Soup
Sinigang is a traditional Filipino soup made with either pork, beef, seafood, or vegetables. It is characterized by its tangy, yet savory flavor and is usually served with white rice.
The traditional version of the soup is made with pork or beef, tamarind, water, onion, garlic, and other assorted vegetables such as eggplant, okra, and radish. Other regional variations may include fish sauce, tomato sauce, and spices like chili peppers, ginger, and bay leaves.
Kalamay – The Tropical Sticky Treat
Kalamay is a traditional Filipino dessert that is characterized by its sweet and sticky texture. It’s made with a mixture of coconut milk, glutinous rice, and sugar, and is typically served as a sweet treat.
This treat is often served as a stand-alone dish, or as a topping for ice cream. It’s also often used as a filling for coconut-flavored cakes and pastries.
Fusion Recipes – Exploring New Worlds of Cooking
While traditional recipes like adobo, sinigang, and kalamay are often simple, fusion recipes can open up a world of exciting possibilities. By combining traditional flavors and ingredients with those of other cultures and dishes, new and exciting dishes can be created. Here are a few great examples of fusion Filipino recipes.
Ube Wontons
Ube, or purple yam, is a popular ingredient in Filipino desserts. Combining its sweet flavor with the savory crunch of wontons produces a delightful treat.
To make ube wontons, mashed ube is mixed with butter and coconut milk to form a sweet and creamy mixture. The mixture is then spooned into the center of prepared wonton wrappers and deep-fried, resulting in a delicious contrast between the creamy ube center and the crispy wrapper.
Kare-Kare Empanadas
Kare-kare is a popular Filipino stew made with peanut sauce and assorted vegetables. To create a unique twist on this dish, the flavors of kare-kare can be combined with the ingredients of a classic empanada.
To make kare-kare empanadas, steamed vegetables, diced chicken, and rice are combined with a combination of peanut butter and spices. The mixture is then spooned into the center of prepared empanada dough and deep-fried until golden brown.
Filipino Sushi Rolls
Sushi is one of the most popular Japanese dishes. By combining it with Filipino flavors, a unique fusion dish is created.
To make Filipino sushi rolls, start by preparing a mixture of cooked adobo pork, cooked white or brown rice, and shredded cooked vegetables. The mixture is then rolled in nori seaweed and served with a side of soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger, as usual.
Filipino food is a combination of traditional dishes, creative fusions, and an amazing mix of flavors. From adobo, the country’s unofficial national dish, to more creative fusion recipes like Ube Wontons and Filipino Sushi Rolls, recipes are at the heart of Filipino cuisine. Whether you are a fan of traditional dishes or looking to try something new, there is plenty to explore and enjoy.
