Craving the unique and vibrant flavors of the Philippines but feel overwhelmed by the prospect of tackling complex recipes? Perhaps you’re dreaming of impressing friends and family with an authentic Filipino feast, but you’re unsure where to even begin? Fear not! Embarking on a culinary journey through Filipino cuisine doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In fact, many Filipino dishes are surprisingly simple to prepare at home, even for those with limited cooking experience.
Filipino food is a delightful tapestry of flavors, a harmonious blend of savory, sweet, and sour notes that create an unforgettable culinary experience. Influenced by a rich history and cultural exchange, Filipino cuisine incorporates elements from Malay, Spanish, Chinese, and American traditions, resulting in a truly unique and diverse culinary landscape. The use of common, accessible ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques makes many dishes ideal for beginner cooks. This guide introduces a selection of easy to cook Filipino dishes, perfect for exploring the vibrant tastes of the Philippines without feeling intimidated. Forget those complicated recipes; delicious and authentic Filipino meals are well within your reach.
Why Filipino Food is Great for Beginners
One of the most appealing aspects of Filipino cooking for beginners is the accessibility of ingredients. While certain specialty items might require a trip to an Asian market, many key ingredients are readily available in most well-stocked grocery stores. Soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, onions, and common vegetables form the foundation of many Filipino dishes, making it easy to get started without searching for obscure or hard to find components.
Furthermore, Filipino cuisine often relies on simple cooking techniques that are easy to master. Sautéing, boiling, simmering, and stir frying are common methods used in preparing many popular dishes. These techniques don’t require specialized equipment or advanced culinary skills, making them perfect for beginners to build confidence in the kitchen.
Despite the simplicity of the techniques, Filipino food is incredibly flavorful. The magic lies in the clever use of spices, sauces, and aromatics to create complex and satisfying flavors. Even a dish with just a few ingredients can be bursting with savory goodness thanks to the skillful combination of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and other flavor enhancers.
Finally, Filipino recipes are often quite adaptable. Feel free to adjust the sweetness, sourness, or spiciness to your liking. You can also substitute ingredients based on your dietary restrictions or personal preferences. This flexibility allows you to personalize the dishes and create variations that suit your taste.
The Recipes: Easy Filipino Dishes to Try
Let’s dive into some simple and incredibly satisfying Filipino recipes that anyone can master.
Adobo (Chicken or Pork)
Adobo is arguably the most iconic Filipino dish, and for good reason. This flavorful stew features meat, typically chicken or pork, braised in a savory and tangy sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and peppercorns. It’s a comforting and delicious dish that’s surprisingly easy to make.
Ingredients:
Two pounds chicken pieces or pork belly, cut into chunks
One cup soy sauce
Half cup vinegar (white, cane, or coconut vinegar)
Six cloves garlic, minced
One tablespoon black peppercorns
Two bay leaves
One cup water
Two tablespoons cooking oil
Instructions:
First, heat the cooking oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the chicken or pork in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Remove the meat and set aside. Next, in the same pot, sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add the soy sauce, vinegar, black peppercorns, bay leaves, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Return the browned chicken or pork to the pot. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least an hour, or until the meat is very tender. Check the liquid level occasionally and add more water if needed. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Tips & Variations:
For a deeper flavor, brown the meat thoroughly before adding the sauce. Adjust the ratio of soy sauce to vinegar to your liking; some prefer a more sour adobo, while others prefer a sweeter one. You can also add a pinch of sugar for extra sweetness. Consider adding potatoes or hard boiled eggs during the last thirty minutes of cooking.
Serving Suggestions:
Adobo is best served hot with steamed white rice. It’s also delicious with a side of pickled papaya (atchara) or a simple green salad.
Sinigang (Soup – Pork or Shrimp)
Sinigang is a beloved Filipino soup characterized by its signature sourness. Typically made with pork, shrimp, or beef, and a variety of vegetables, Sinigang is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a cold day.
Ingredients:
One pound pork belly or shrimp, peeled and deveined
One package Sinigang mix (tamarind base)
One onion, quartered
Two tomatoes, quartered
Eight cups water
One bunch string beans, cut into two-inch pieces
One eggplant, sliced
Several pieces bok choy or kangkong (water spinach)
Fish sauce (patis) to taste
Instructions:
In a large pot, combine the pork or shrimp, onion, tomatoes, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about thirty minutes for shrimp, or an hour and a half for pork, or until the meat is tender. Add the Sinigang mix and stir until dissolved. Add the string beans and eggplant and cook for about five minutes. Add the bok choy or kangkong and cook until wilted. Season with fish sauce to taste. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Tips & Variations:
If you can’t find Sinigang mix, you can use tamarind pulp, guava, or kamias to sour the soup. Popular vegetable additions include radish, okra, and taro.
Serving Suggestions:
Sinigang is best served hot with steamed white rice. The sour broth is incredibly refreshing and flavorful.
Pancit Bihon (Noodle Dish)
Pancit Bihon is a classic Filipino noodle dish made with thin rice noodles (bihon), vegetables, and often meat or seafood. It’s a versatile dish that can be served as a snack or a main course.
Ingredients:
Eight ounces bihon noodles
Two tablespoons cooking oil
One onion, sliced
Two cloves garlic, minced
One cup sliced carrots
One cup sliced cabbage
Half cup sliced celery
One cup cooked chicken, shrimp, or pork (optional)
Four cups chicken broth or water
Soy sauce to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Soak the bihon noodles in warm water until softened. Heat the cooking oil in a large wok or skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant. Add the carrots, cabbage, and celery and stir fry for about five minutes, or until the vegetables are tender crisp. Add the cooked chicken, shrimp, or pork (if using). Add the chicken broth or water and bring to a boil. Add the softened bihon noodles and stir to combine. Cook until the noodles are tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Tips & Variations:
You can add other vegetables such as snow peas, bell peppers, or green beans. Use thick or thin noodles as you wish. A splash of lemon juice or calamansi juice before serving can add brightness.
Serving Suggestions:
Pancit Bihon can be served as a snack or a main course. It’s often garnished with sliced green onions and calamansi wedges.
Lumpia (Spring Rolls – Fresh or Fried)
Lumpia are Filipino spring rolls, a popular appetizer or snack. They can be either fresh (unfried) or fried. For beginners, fresh lumpia (Lumpiang Ubod or similar) are often easier to assemble.
Ingredients:
Lumpia Wrappers (Store-bought)
One tablespoon cooking oil
One onion, minced
Two cloves garlic, minced
Two cups bean sprouts (togue)
One cup shredded carrots
Half cup ground pork or chicken (optional)
Soy sauce to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Peanut Sauce for serving (Store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
Heat the cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant. Add the ground pork or chicken (if using) and cook until browned. Add the bean sprouts and carrots and stir fry for about three minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened. Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the filling cool slightly. Place a lumpia wrapper on a flat surface. Spoon a small amount of filling onto the wrapper. Fold the sides of the wrapper over the filling, then roll tightly from the bottom up. Repeat until all the filling is used. Serve with peanut sauce.
Tips & Variations:
Make sure to seal the edges of the lumpia wrappers tightly to prevent them from opening during cooking.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve as an appetizer or snack with peanut sauce.
Garlic Rice (Sinangag)
Garlic rice is a staple Filipino breakfast. Simple and flavorful, it’s a great way to use leftover rice.
Ingredients:
Three cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)
Four cloves garlic, minced
Two tablespoons cooking oil
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Heat the cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the garlic until golden brown and fragrant. Add the cooked rice and stir to combine. Season with salt to taste. Cook until the rice is heated through and slightly crispy. Serve hot.
Tips & Variations:
Use day old rice for the best texture. Don’t overcrowd the pan, work in batches if needed.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve with fried eggs, meat, or fish for a complete Filipino breakfast.
Essential Filipino Ingredients to Keep on Hand
To successfully embark on your Filipino cooking adventure, it’s helpful to stock your pantry with some essential ingredients. Soy sauce is a cornerstone of many Filipino dishes, providing a savory and umami rich base. Vinegar, whether white vinegar, cane vinegar, or coconut vinegar, is crucial for dishes like Adobo and contributes a tangy flavor to many other recipes. Garlic and onions are used extensively as aromatics, adding depth and complexity to virtually every Filipino dish. Fish sauce (patis) adds a distinct umami flavor that enhances the savory notes in many recipes. Black peppercorns and bay leaves are essential for adding spice and aroma to soups and stews. Finally, cooking oil, such as vegetable or canola oil, is necessary for sautéing and stir frying.
Tips for Success
To ensure your Filipino cooking journey is a success, start simple. Don’t try to make everything perfect on your first attempt. Choose one recipe and focus on mastering it. Before you start cooking, read the recipe carefully to understand the ingredients and steps involved. Preparing your ingredients beforehand (mise en place) will make the cooking process smoother and more efficient. Taste as you go and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Don’t be afraid to experiment and customize the recipes to your own taste preferences. You can find many Filipino ingredients at Asian markets or online retailers.
Conclusion
Cooking Filipino food at home is easier and more rewarding than you might think. With accessible ingredients, simple techniques, and a little bit of practice, you can create delicious and authentic Filipino dishes that will impress your friends and family. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the flavors, and embark on your culinary adventure. Happy cooking! We can’t wait to see what you create! Feel free to share your creations, questions, or favorite easy Filipino recipes in the comments below. Mabuhay!
