Philippine Cuisine – An Introduction to the Filipino Food
Sometimes, the beaches or the tourist attractions are not the things that make a country or a place special. Sometimes, it is the food! The Philippines is not only proud of its world-class beaches and breathtaking natural wonders but also to its authentic cuisine. The country is rich in history and culture. The Malays, the Spanish explorers, the Japanese invaders, the Chinese merchants set foot on its rich lands bringing a vast array of exquisite foods and culture. This made the Philippine cuisine one of a kind.
The Philippines is known to be a land of spices. From the north to the south, the Philippines has great soil for growing crops. The climate is also a great thing to consider when it comes to production of spices, fruits and vegetables. And due to its history, the Philippines was able to utilize its produce and its culture to produce world class authentic Filipino food.
Filipino food can be classified to four main parts, namely, the agahan (breakfast), tanghalian (lunch), hapunan (supper) and the merianda or afternoon snack after the siesta. There are a lot of recipes when it comes to these four classifications depending on the region or area we are in. Known delicacies are those from provinces from the Luzon and Vizayas region. All of those recipes will really make your stomach rumble and your mouth water.
When it comes to method of cooking, the Filipinos from the provinces use clay pots and coal stoves. I think authentic Filipino food is made with these cooking equipments since Filipino food is mainly food from the kanayunan or towns. Filipinos are also fond of roasting over coals or ihaw in Filipino. Filipino food also includes raw food recipes like the one known as kilawin. Filipinos use a wide range of cooking techniques and methods to attain the maximum taste of authentic Philippine cuisine.
Filipino recipes use almost every resource available. Aside from using pork and chicken, Filipinos are fond of cooking with vegetables and fruits. Spices are also known produce in the Philippines. Most Filipino recipes involve lots of varieties examples of which are the gisa or stir-fry and the adobo or recipes cooked in soy sauce.
Famous Filipino main dish recipes are adobo (chicken or pork adobo), tinola (chicken ginger stew), kaldereta (Philippine beef stew), kare-kareI (ox tail stewed in peanut sauce), mechado (Philippine beef stew) and cocido or beef pochero (Philippin beef stew with vegetables). Philippine cuisine is also known for its fiesta dishes or celebratory delicacies like the lechon (roasted whole pig), lumpiang sariwa (fresh spring rolls) and pancit (stir-fry noodles). Filipino desserts include bibingka and sapin-sapin (sweetcakes), halo-halo (shaved ice with milk and toppings) and leche flan (eggs and milk caramel custard). Filipino breakfast menus include champorado (chocolate rice porridge), meat such as tocino, longganisa and tapa and steamed or fried rice. But a popular and authentic Filipino breakfast is the kape (coffee) and pandesal (native Philippine bread) but can also be considered as a great afternoon snack tandem.
Filipinos are known to be festive people and their celebration will not be complete without some alcohol especially for the men. Native alcohol beverage is lambanog made from distilled tuba or sugar cane. But for the people in the urban areas, beer, rum and cocktails are popular options. Now, a serving of Filipinos’ favorite lambanog or beer will not be complete without pulutan or finger food to complement it. Popular choices for pulutan are chicharon (popped pork skin), adidas (sauted or grilled chicken feet), inihaw (roasted fish or pork) and the most popular of all; mani (roasted or boiled peanuts). But most of the time pulutan are leftover main dishes.
Filipino food entails a wide range of taste and it is the product of its rich culture and history. We can say that Filipino food has now given way to many opportunities abroad. Filipino food is now enjoyed in various countries. One great example is the Filipina Executive Chef of the White House, Cristeta Comerford. I remembered her saying in an interview that she served adobo for former US president George Bush and the president liked it! This is evidence that Filipinos and their food are truly world-class!
Here ends our introduction to Philippine cuisine. You can expect in the future, that Filipino recipes will be posted in PinoyPen to spread the Philippine food as well as its culture. Now, time to say – Kainan na!
