Filipino dishes are the dishes belonging to Filipino or Philippine Cuisine. Filipino cuisine is largely influenced with Chinese, Indian, Hispanic, and other Asian cuisines. Typical Filipino dishes may comprise simple meals to some very complex foods like cocidos, paellas, rice and fish. Philipino dishes are known for the strong flavors that they emanate. Filipino cuisine in total is known for its strong combination of salty, sour and sweet flavor. The contrast is observed in form of food presentation. Some very salty foods can be teamed with sweet dishes such as a champorado (a very sweet cocoa porridge), which is eaten with tuyo.
Vinegar, soya sauce, chili sauce are some of the cooking ingredients, which are commonly used in most of the food preaprations around Philppines.
History of Filipino Dishes
Most of the Filipino dishes show imprints of its Austronesian origins. Austronesians are known for their bizarre food choices. Rice cultivation began in Philippines during 3200 BC. Several trade relations were established with Fujian province in China during the reign of Song Dynasty. Many of the common Filipino food ingredients like tofu, toyo, patis, tawge , were introduced during this time. Spanish settlers introduced many dishes and crops in Philippines. Today Spanish dishes have become integral part of the Filipino cuisine.
List of Filipino Dishes
Breakfast: A typical Filipino breakfast may include some bread rolls, tapa, pandesal, fishes, and coffee. Filipinos love to experiment with various permutations and combinations while serving the breakfast. These are indicated by certain portmanteaus like kankamtuy : order for rice, tomato and dried fish.
- Pandesal: They are the typical Filipino breads which are served with cheese, butter, filled omelets, scrambled eggs, jams, jellies and sardines, hot chocolate, etc.
- Tapa: This term is used for referring cured and dried meats such as venison, beef, mutton, etc. Tapa is either grilled or deeply fried and served with fried egg, rice and achar (pickle).
Lunch: This is known as tanghalían in Filipino language. The lunch is one of the biggest meals in the day and is accompanied by many side dishes.
- Lechon: This is a popular pork dish of Spanish origin. The pig is seasoned and skewered in entire after tying to a long stick. The pork is roasted for long time until all sides are cooked.
- Adobo: It is one of the popular Filipino dishes enjoyed all over Philippines with same fervor and interest. Adobo generally involves marinated seafood or meat. This stew is served with rice broth.
Dinner: Dinner in Philippines is known as hapúnan. Rice, poultry, and meat balls are usually served during the dinner.
- Kare Kare: This is a popular Philipino stew prepared using various vegetables, beef and oxtail. Various experimentations are followed in choice of ingredients.
- Dinengdeng: This is a popular bagoong soup based dish. It consists of jute leaves, drumsticks, calabaza, bitter melon and various types of beans and mushrooms. Leftovers of meat and fish are also added to the dish.
Desserts: In Filipino language desserts are known as panghimagas. Filipinos believe that a meal is incomplete without a dessert. Today, the traditional desserts are replaced with brownies, ice creams and cakes.
- Ginataan or Ginatan Halo Halo: This is one of the best served merienda and desserts across Philippines. It is either served cold or hot depending on eaters taste preferences.
- Bukayo: This is a dessert, with coconut topping. The gelatinous coconut is cooked in water and combined with brown or white sugar.
