filipino arroz ala cubana
Book exclusive recipe: Filipino Arroz Ala Cubana.
Being from the Philippines, we have a huge Spanish influence on our cuisine. This dish is one of my favorites that our grandma Themy would cook for us, and it just shows how long mince can go into being part of a hearty nutritious meal. I’ve used dates instead of raisins here and plantains instead of Filipino Saba (cooking) bananas. Use what you have around you and make this incredible hug of a meal for your loved ones. Comes together fast too! Just don’t forget to make the rice ahead of time..
beef kaldereta
Book exclusive recipe: Beef Kaldereta.
If there is a word to describe filipino food, it’s cosy, and combines salty and sweet with just the right amount of acidity. This tomato-based dish stems from when the Philippines was colonized by Spain (very similar to Spanish guiso style cooking) and is incredibly comforting, at the same time providing so much good sustenance from the vegetables. Some versions use lamb, liver spread and olives; I choose brisket for mine (the more marbled the better), potato and lentils as my thickener and the peppers are a must for that pop of color!
kare kare two ways
Book exclusive recipe: Kare Kare Two Ways
I believe Kare Kare is one of our most iconic dishes in the Philippines. It’s simply legendary. It’s strikingly orange, and jampacked with flavor. The first thought filipinos usually have when thinking of Kare Kare is that It takes forever. The original cut used is oxtail, but basically you can use any secondary cut that has collagen or connective tissues that can break down such as short ribs, brisket, shank or even beef cheeks! So here I’m providing two options- make a slow cooked version (which takes 3 hours to overnight) or the express version which involves simply making the sauce and topping with a primary cut and all the kare kare fix-ins.
nilaga
Book exclusive recipe: Filipino Beef Nilaga
Nilaga literally means boiled or stewed in Filipino Tagalog. Basically a healing broth that feeds the soul from the collagen, this dish is packed with nutrients from the vegetables and beef. To serve, fresh lemon juice and fish sauce to taste is absolutely key. Many pinoy (filipino) moms also like to add cabbage and saba bananas. I’m salivating just typing this. You have to try it to understand!
