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Stories and Lessons about us & for us.
FilAm Owned Winston’s Cafe Spicing up the Napa Food Scene
When people think of Napa, Filipino food isn’t necessarily the first cuisine that comes to mind. But, there is a spot in downtown Napa that serves Filipino-American food: Winston’s Cafe!
We had the chance to sit down with Alex and Casaan Macaraig, owners of Winston’s Cafe along with their partner Paulie W. Brown of Paulie’s Bagels.
NEW Ube Treats We are Obsessed with Right NOW
Ube is rapidly taking over the world and quickly making its way into the happy stomachs of Filipino Americans across the country. So we put together a list of some of our favorite ube infused treats that you must try!
6 Essential Filipino Drinks and Dessert Recipes To Impress Your Friends with This Summer
We put together a list of some of our favorite drinks and desserts that you can make to keep cool and satisfy your sweet tooth as we journey into warmer weather.
The Origin and History of Banana Ketchup
Have you ever thought about how and why banana ketchup was invented while dipping your lumpia in said dip? When you think of a substitute to replace tomatoes a banana is not the first thing that comes in mind. Technically speaking both Bananas and Tomatoes are not even a fruit but a berry but let’s leave that discussion for another time.
Filipino Stews 101: Menudo, Afritada, Mechado, Kaldereta (and their Origins)
Filipino dishes to the untrained and uninformed eye can seem all the same. You've probably heard of menudo, afritada, mechado, and kaldereta. While they may have some similarities, each meal has its own particular flavor and technique of preparation. So let us take a good look at the distinctions between these four similar looking stews.
10 Quintessential Filipino Snacks That You’ll want to keep stocked always
Growing up in the Philippines opened up a whole new world of snacking for me. I spent a good amount of my childhood in the humidity of our motherland with a bag of chips in one hand and a mug of taho in the other. For those of you who are not familiar with snacks that are popular in the Philippines, I have put together a list of my favorites that I crave.
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4 Ways to Celebrate Filipino food month EVery Year
Since the official signing of the Presidential Proclamation No. 469, mainland Philippines has been finding countless ways to celebrate our cherished cuisine and I think it’s time we step up our game and eat as many meals as possible with a purpose. At least that’s what I’ll tell myself as I feast through these top 4 ideas to honor the soul of our culture.
5 Modern Filipino Cookbooks to Level Up your Culinary Skills
Food is the focal point of any Filipino gathering. Celebrating a birthday? You better roll up with trays of rolled up lumpia. Manny Paquiao fight? Bring the heavy hitters to the table or you’ll be the one getting knocked out. Does the day end in a “Y”? Why not cook for 50 people and invite everyone over. No matter the reason, food brings Filipinos together and today we are bringing you our Top 5 Filipino Cookbooks to Level Up your Culinary skills.
14 Filipino Valentine Date Night Spots from NY to the Bay
You and your significant other can’t deicide where to go this valentines day? Check out our picks of restaurants this lovely season.
5 Filipino Dishes With Chinese ORIGINS and Their History
The Philippines has been influenced by many other cultures, whether by trade or colonization. These influences can be seen through our cuisine. Prior to Spanish colonization, Chinese culture greatly influenced the Philippines through trading. Some of our popular dishes and well-known snacks have Chinese influence both in the name and the cooking.
The World’s First Michelin-Starred Filipino Chefs
Right now is an exciting time for Filipino chefs and Filipino food! Growing up, Filipino food was just home cooking and there weren’t many restaurants serving it. Eventually, more Filipino restaurants and food trucks began to pop-up, and smaller businesses that do catering and desserts spots were being made. Now, we get to see Filipino food in a different light, as it becomes a part of the fine dining experience. In case you haven’t heard of these chefs yet, here is an introduction to the first Filipino chefs to gain a Michelin-star!
7 Filipino Dessert Spots in SOCAL to Impress any Date
Nothing says “I love you” (or at the very least, “I’m into you”) than ending a perfect date night with a dessert spot perfectly crafted to suit your love’s sweet tooth. These Filipino inspired dessert spots in Southern California are sure to please as each provides the perfect combo of traditional flavors with new school vibes. Equally, these spots also work if you want to take yourself out on a date and up your self-love game. Bookmark this for Valentine’s Day!
5 Filipino Foods We’re Pretty Sure You Haven’t Tried
If you’re someone who wants to explore more exotic dishes, the Philippines will not fail you in offering a different variety of dishes, even if it involves some of the strangest ingredients. Listed below are some more peculiar foods that the Philippines has in store
Our Fave 5 Filipino AMERICAN-Founded Beverage Companies
Growing up, you would have found one of the following beverages in my Little Twinstars lunch box: Capri Sun, Sunny D, Squeeze It, Zesto (specifically the calamansi flavor), Peach Nestea or canned Philippine mango juice. In high school, after school you’d find me eating a Mexican strawberry paleta on the sidewalk or sipping boba at the local Taiwanese shop.
FILIPINO CUISINE’s CONFUSED PAST | The Origins of 3 Ubiquitous FAVORITES
As a product of the Philippines’ rich history, food has become one of the things that our ancestors have passed down from generation to generation. From the pre-colonial times where trade between Indo-Malays, Chinese, and Indian goods were frequent to the Spanish rule where its influence has spanned for over 300 years. It is no doubt that our favorite dishes served at home have become a product of the country’s experience over time. Listed below are some of the famous Filipino dishes (out of SO many) and where they came from.
5 Obscure Filipino Ingredients to Upgrade Your Palette
By now, it’s no question that Filipino dishes explode with such rich flavor. Even the simplest of dishes are amplified due to the ingredients used by Filipinos. So, what gives? How do these dishes stand out from the rest? Well, to answer that, let’s look at common household pantry staples that are given a Filipino twist. The use of these ingredients in a dish surely leaves one wanting for more!
HOW TO MAKE GARLIC PEANUTS (A SIMPLE FILIPINO SNACK)
Need a quick, simple snack? Garlic Peanuts is your answer.
Chef Mikey of Hoodyumz steps into the kitchen to make a twist on a simple Filipino snack!