Filipino Food

The Philippines 🇵🇭 was colonized for several centuries by the Spain followed by Japan and the United States. However, even before colonization, the Philippines became one of the trading centers in Asia, mainly due to the geographical location. These interactions and cultural influences have contributed to the abundance and palatable dishes in the Philippines.

The Philippines is consisted of 7,641 islands. Within those islands, different cultures, languages, and dialects exist. As a result of diversity, each region of the Philippines has its own delicacies and viands. With that said, despite the international influences, the Philippines maintained some of its native dishes.

Filipino foods are beginning to be recognize internationally. Hopefully, you can try some of our desserts and viands. Viands are foods eaten alongside rice which is a typical Filipino meal.

Below you will find two recipes from Panlasang Pinoy:

Ginataang Kalabasa at Sitaw (Squash and String Beans in Coconut Milk)

Ginaataan is a dish cooked in coconut milk and is popular in the Bicol region. Ginataang Kalabasa and Sitaw is great for those looking for vegetarian or vegan diets, or you simply adore vegetables! Once it is cooked, you will taste a lovely sweet and savory dish. Don’t forget the rice! It tastes the best when it is eaten with rice.

Here are the ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs. squash, cut into cubes
• 18 pieces string beans, cut in 2-inch pieces
• 1 piece Knorr Pork cube
• 3 ounces pork, sliced into small pieces, preferably boiled
• 4 cups coconut milk
• 1 piece onion, chopped
• 2 thumbs ginger, sliced into strips
• 5 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• Fish sauce to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add pork. Cook until brown and crispy.
2. Sauté garlic, onion, and ginger.
3. Once the onion softens, pour the coconut milk into the pan. Stir. Cover the pan and let the liquid boil. Once boiling, adjust the heat to medium and continue boiling for 5 minutes.
4. Add Knorr Pork Cube and squash. Continue cooking for 5 minutes.
5. Add string beans. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes.
6. Season with ground black pepper and fish sauce as needed.
7. Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with warm rice.

Biko is a dessert made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar. In the Philippines, biko is known as “kakanin” which connects to the word “kanin” or rice in Tagalog. Latik is the coconut toppings. This dessert is sold throughout the Philippines and is served during special occasions. Enjoy!

Here are the ingredients:

• 2 cups glutinous rice, washed
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 4 cups coconut milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups coconut milk

Instructions:

1. Prepare latik by boiling 2 cups coconut milk in a saucepan. Adjust heat to medium. Continue boiling while stirring until texture thickens. Lower the heat once oil becomes visible. Cook and stir constantly until the color of the residue turns golden brown (note: latik is the residue formed after boiling coconut milk). Separate the oil from latik using a strainer or filter paper. Set aside
2. Start making the biko by combining glutinous rice and water in a rice cooker. Set the cooker to "cook" mode. Wait until the process is complete.
3. Boil 4 cups coconut milk in a cooking pot for 7 minutes
4. Add cooked rice. Stir until well blended. Continue cooking while stirring until rice absorbs the coconut milk mixture completely.
5. Line banana leaves over a baking tray. Brush coconut oil over the leaves.
6. Transfer biko into the tray once the consistency becomes thick and sticky (paste-like). Top with latik. Let it cool down for at least 15 minutes.
7. Serve. Share and enjoy!

If you want to try other Filipino foods, please click here.