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Welcome to the San Francisco Bay Area. Welcome to My Bay Kitchen! Growing up in Baguio City, Philippines, I learned most of my cooking from my late mother, just watching her in the kitchen. She had no recipe books or cheat sheets, just the skills and knowledge gained from my grandmother and great grandmother. I […]
A visit to San Diego is never complete without exploring its diverse food scene, whether it be in the famed Gaslamp Quarter or the many districts in the city’s outskirts. Because of its history and proximity to the southern border, it goes without saying that San Diego boasts of some of the best Mexican dining […]
It wasn’t until I moved to San Francisco that I was introduced to hummus, that tasty concoction made of mashed chickpeas, olive oil and other spices. I remember first having hummus at a Middle Eastern restaurant in the city. It was served as an appetizer, or shall I say a dip for our dinner bread. […]
Occasionally, I would encounter vegetables, fruits or spices than I am unfamiliar with. Like the fennel. It is often called sweet anise. But fennel and anise are two different plants. In the culinary world, the whole fennel plant — its bulb, stalks and leaves (called fronds)– is consumed, while only just the seeds from the […]
What’s the best way to enjoy tender chicken with lots of vegetables while at the same time having your warm soup? I may just have the answer for you! The vegetables used in this recipe are made for each other. Really. By themselves, these vegetables are bland or bitter, slimy or too sweet. But the […]
Is it a lime? Is it an orange? No, it’s calamansi! It’s a citrus fruit that is native to the Philippines but is believed to have originated from China and has spread throughout Asia, Hawaii, the West Indies and Central and North America. Calamansi has many medicinal and culinary uses. Available year-round, this key lime-like […]
Itlog na maalat or salted duck eggs are a popular delicacy in the Philippines. Curing the eggs involves a unique process of osmosis where the eggs absorb the distinctive salt flavor. The eggs are available in most Asian groceries in the U.S. and elsewhere. It is easy to spot them because of their red-colored shells. […]
When The Waldorf Hotel opened in New York in 19, it was the world’s tallest and largest hotel. This Art Deco hotel, which later became Waldorf Astoria that united two adjacent hotels, The Waldorf and the Astoria, has hosted many world dignitaries and royalty — from U.S. Presidents and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor […]
The Filipino longganiza, or sausage, is a common breakfast fare, combined with eggs, fresh tomatoes and garlic fried rice. If you’ve ever heard someone say, “longsilog,” you know what it refers to: this mouth-watering combo that perfectly pairs with your morning coffee. This breakfast thrill comes close to the best wake-up call of all time […]
The Filipino national dish, adobo, is mostly served with steamed rice. But wheat buffs can enjoy this popular pork dish in a bun, be it for breakfast, snack, lunch or dinner. This recipe combines the best of adobo and kalua pork. The pork is seasoned with the usual soy sauce and vinegar combo, while giving […]
For me, personally, French is the most beautiful-sounding language. But it is also the most difficult to learn and understand. My fascination for French cuisine stems largely from the sound of the dishes and recipes. But make no mistake about it — they’re also super delicious and mouth-watering. Think escargot or soufflé! Well, they happen […]
You know you’re in a Filipino home when you see either a giant spoon and folk wood carving or a painting of the Last Supper hanging on the wall of the dining room. But Philippine-made handicraft and decor come in many other forms, including framed artwork or even table lamps made of different kinds of […]
Whenever one thinks of a veggie burger, the only thing that comes to mind is a soybean-based or tofu burger. But a veggie burger can come in many forms, among them one that is made from quinoa, brown rice, beans and other ingredients. This certainly adds both texture and flavor to a meatless sandwich. There’s […]
Sarciado is a Filipino term that means “cooked in a sauce.” The sauce in this recipe consists of garlic, onions and tomatoes, along with eggs. It complements fried fish steaks quite well. Almost any kind of fish can be used for this recipe. I chose Swai, which is akin to catfish. This dish is best […]
I’ve seen this dish in many Asian fast food restaurants before and I always assumed it was pork adobo with boiled eggs. In my continuing research on Asian ethnic cuisine, I discovered that this is a popular Vietnamese dish called Thit Heo Kho Trúng. It does resemble the pork adobo except that it is cooked […]
My one and only visit to Boston, Massachusetts, was in 2006. It was prior to my naturalization as a U.S. Citizen, so I was really awed by its rich history and to learn more, first-hand, of important figures, including John Adams, founding father of the U.S. My walking tour took me to many historical buildings, […]
Tocino with egg and garlic fried rice is a common breakfast fare in the Philippines. Tocino refers to sweet cured pork which, when cooked, looks and tastes like carmelized barbecue . The best tocino is made in Pampanga province of Central Luzon. It is often served with fresh tomatoes and sprinkled with vinegar. I like to experiment with fusion […]
My first encounter with Katsudon was back in the Philippines, when I was in my early twenties. I was given the opportunity to do a nightly singing gig in a Japanese restaurant/bar close to my work place. So-called “folk houses” (establishments that featured folk singers) were popular then and the restaurant owner wanted to offer […]
