Filipino Pastries

It is always nice to have dessert as a way of ending a hearty Filipino meal.  We do not mean the regular milkshakes or ice cream, but these are the native Filipino desserts.  Filipinos do not miss desserts as sweet are important portions of Filipino cuisine.  These include a simple sugar-raised doughnut to elaborate cakes.

Filipino pastry stands out among the Philippine desserts.  These are not as famous as the kakanin or rice cakes, but many regions in the Philippines consider Filipino pastries as favorites.  These are the most basic in preparing Filipino desserts.

One of the favorite Philippine desserts is the buko pie.  Buko pies are exported in the Philippines in pre-packed frozen slices unlike those sold here that are fresh and hot.  People are fond of giving buko pies as pasalubong to their familes.  These have fillings that are made of macapuno, cream, coconut milk, and sometimes caramel.

Filipino Food

Filipino food is one of the most unique cuisines in the world.  It derives its cuisine from a mixture of different cooking styles of different countries.

Americans are mostly familiar with the Filipino food of lumpia. The Chinese spring or egg roll is largely influenced by the lumpia.  Different vegetables such as carrots, turnips, minced onions, carrots, with meat of shrimp, pork or beef make up the lumpia.  However, the Filipino lumpia compared to the Chinese spring roll has fewer ingredients.

The cantaloupe of gulaman and sago drink serve the tropical flavors served in refreshing beverages.  Cantaloupe that is freshly shaved is mixed with water, ice, and sugar to prepare the Cantaloupe beverage.  Agar gelatin and tapioca balls or pearls enhance the flavor of gulaman and sago drink.  These are perfect as pair to the main dish.

Sinigang soup is the popular and delicious Philippine soup that is loaded with fish, shrimp, chicken, or beef.

Rice Toppings: Making Filipino Food More Unique

The staple food in Filipino cuisine has always been rice.  Before the boom of the various ways of cooking rice, only plain rice and fried rice are familiar to most Filipinos.  It has only been recently that Filipinos tried experimenting with rice recipes such as garlic, java, chili, and Chinese.  But what has become a favorite among Filipinos recently are the rice toppings where vegetable and meat dishes are served on top of a box of rice.  It is basically the same old Filipino food but is served in a convenient way.  These kind of rice are sold in cafeterias, sidewalk, and malls.

These are often practical to eat during busy days.  However, these are often expensive which makes one think of preparing it at home.  You can have it right at your own house with you at the control of its taste.  You do not have to compete with others in waiting for your awaited mix and match toppings in malls.

But although they come in handy on busy days, they’re often overpriced, especially considering that you can do them yourself at home. That’s right-you don’t have to run to the mall whenever you’re craving. What’s more, there are no long lines and you can mix and match toppings as you please. Here are some Filipino food recipes that make excellent rice toppings.