Filipino Home Cooking
Almost everyone knows about Filipino food, at least if you live in any major city where there is some semblance of any type of Asian community. But Filipinos are adaptable. That is a characteristic that grew out of being colonized so many times over the years. In my opinion, that adaptability is both a good and a bad thing. The bad part is that we basically lose a bit of our culture as we assimilate into other cultures especially with our children being born wherever we've ended up and we're especially adept at NOT passing on traditions and basically letting our kids be - becoming an American or Italian or Norwegian; we just find it easier. And, I'm guilty as well. This is why I try to do what I can and, for me, the best way to teach someone about their culture is through food.
Again, I want to reiterate that I have no formal culinary training. I learn by watching, listening and by experimentation. I can cook or make any cuisine I set my mind to or, if I really like certain foods - not necessarily Filipino food - I will include it in my regular repertoire. I make a mean Bolognese, I can make Prime Rib like no one's business and, I've even added Hawaiian Poke to the mix. But, if there's anything I can say I've mastered, it has to be the essential techniques of Filipino cooking. Every Filipino food will follow one of three basic techniques: boil, grill or saute - that's it. But the trick is, to develop more complex flavors, you have to combine those techniques and use the right amount of necessary ingredients. Sounds simple right? Not so fast.
The Philippines is made up of more than 7100 islands. All these different regions have their own way of cooking using ingredients which are available to them, sometimes uniquely available. One area may have more meat than fish. Other areas may have lots of vegetables or the main sources of protein may not necessarily be beef, chicken or pork - you get the picture. But the basic techniques are the same save for some different ingredients. For now, all I can tell you is that every Filipino knows what Adobo is (to them).
The video below is my attempt at cooking a Filipino dish called 'Kare Kare'. It's a hearty stew which can be made up of different ingredients like I mentioned above but, what makes it special is its sauce which is peanut-based. Some call it a 'Peanut Curry' but it certainly has a very unique taste. I hope you enjoy the video and please, leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
