Philippines food 101: Simple Filipino Recipes

Top Ten Filipino Dishes with Simple Recipes

There is a possibility that the food of the Philippines is not as well-known as the cuisines of its neighbours in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand and Vietnam. But, actually, the food is complex in its flavours despite it having simple Filipino recipes. We’ll be sharing 10 of those simple Filipino recipes later in this blog.

This archipelago is home to more than seven thousand islands and a rich cultural legacy; additionally, it is home to a cuisine that is singular to the region and absolutely delicious. There is more to Filipino cuisine than simply the excellent balut (duck embryo), thanks to the country’s abundant supply of seafood, tropical fruits, and Filipino Chefs who aren’t afraid to get creative in the kitchen. So I take it upon myself to share with you a blog on Philippines food 101: Simple Filipino Recipes.

How many regions are there in the Philippines and what Filipino foods are popular? I’ll then be sharing simple Filipino recipes for 10 of these.

The Philippines is divided into 17 regions, each with its own unique culture, history, and cuisine. Some of the popular foods from different regions of the Philippines include:

• Ilocos region: empanada, bagnet, longganisa, dinengdeng
• Cordillera Administrative Region: pinikpikan, kinuday, dinengdeng
• Cagayan Valley: pinakbet, dinakdakan, bagnet
• Central Luzon: sisig, tocino, longganisa, pancit
• Calabarzon: sinigang, adobo, lechon
• Mimaropa: kinilaw, sinigang, adobo
• Bicol region: laing, Bicol express, pili nuts
• Western Visayas: batchoy, pancit molo, kansi
• Central Visayas: lechon, dinuguan, humba
• Eastern Visayas: guinataan, kinilaw, pinais
• Zamboanga Peninsula: curacha, kinilaw, pata tim
• Northern Mindanao: kinilaw, bam-i, chicken inasal
• Davao region: kinilaw, pochero, tinola
• Soccsksargen: sinugbang baboy, sinugbang isda, kinilaw
• Caraga: kinilaw, pinais, sinugbang isda
• Bangsamoro Autonomous Region: curacha, kadyos, baboy, and langka, maranao dish

These are just some examples of the many delicious and diverse dishes that can be found in the Philippines.

What are the Top Ten Favourite Filipino Dishes? Top of Form. These will be the 10 simple Filipino recipes I will then share.

There are many delicious dishes in the Philippines, and it can be difficult to narrow them down to just ten. Some of the most popular and well-known dishes from the Philippines include:

Adobo – a Filipino dish made with meat (usually chicken or pork) that is marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic, then simmered until tender.

Sinigang – a sour Filipino soup or stew made with tamarind, vegetables, and meat or seafood.

Lechon – a whole roasted pig, often served at Filipino celebrations, Filipino fiestas, and special occasions.

Kare-Kare – a Filipino stew made with oxtail, vegetables, and a peanut-based sauce.

Lumpia – a type of Filipino spring roll filled with meat, vegetables, and sometimes fruit.

Sisig – a Filipino dish made with chopped pork, chicken, or beef, mixed with spices, and often served with a fried egg on top. It really is a simple Filipino recipe.

Pancit – a type of Filipino noodle dish, made with a variety of ingredients such as meat, seafood, and vegetables.

Bicol Express – a spicy Filipino dish made with coconut milk, shrimp paste, and chili peppers.

Tinola – a chicken Filipino soup dish made with ginger, chili pepper, and vegetables.

Halo-Halo – a popular Filipino dessert made with shaved ice, evaporated milk, and a variety of sweet toppings such as fruit, jelly, and ice cream.

Simple Filipino Recipes;

Filipino food is the cuisine of the Philippines, which is a melting pot of different cultures and influences. It is a blend of indigenous Malay, Spanish, Chinese, and American flavors, with each region of the Philippines having its own unique dishes and specialties. Some common ingredients used in Filipino cuisine include rice, seafood, pork, chicken, vegetables, and tropical fruits.

If you want more recipes and restaurant reviews, and family fun, click over to our other website ISLIFEARECIPE.net.

Popular dishes include adobo, Sinigang, Kare-kare, Lechon, and lumpia. Filipino food is known for its bold and rich flavours and often features a combination of sweet, sour, and salty tastes (like their Thai neighbours). Here now follow those promised simple Filipino recipes;

Adobo Recipe

Here is the beginning of our simple Filipino recipes, and first up is adobo, a popular Filipino dish:

Adobo Recipe Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken, cut into pieces
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt to taste

Adobo Recipe Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, combine the chicken, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.
3. Remove the cover and continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
4. Season with salt to taste, and serve the adobo hot, with steamed rice on the side. Enjoy!

Sinigang Recipe

Here is a simple Filipino recipe for Sinigang, a sour Filipino soup or stew:

Sinigang Recipe Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork or beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 6 cups water
• 1/2 cup tamarind concentrate
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as bok choy, eggplant, okra, and tomatoes)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Sinigang Recipe Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine the pork or beef, water, tamarind concentrate, onion, garlic, and fish sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, or until the meat is tender.
3. Add the mixed vegetables to the pot and continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve the Sinigang hot, with steamed rice on the side. Enjoy!

How to make Lechon?

Lechon, or roasted pig, is a popular dish in the Philippines and is often served at celebrations and special occasions. While the exact recipe can vary, here is a simple method for making Lechon at home. You can also make this a much more simple Filipino recipe and use pork belly only with all the below methodologies. Simply roll the pork belly and do the below = BellyChon.

Lechon Ingredients:

• 1 whole pig, about 20-25 lbs
• 2 cups lemon juice
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup butter

Lechon Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, water, salt, garlic, and peppercorns. Mix well to make a marinade.
2. Place the pig in a large container and pour the marinade over it, making sure to coat it evenly. Cover the container and marinate the pig in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.
3. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Place the pig on a roasting rack and brush it with vegetable oil. Place the rack in a large roasting pan and add 1 cup of water to the pan.
5. Roast the pig in the oven for about 2 hours, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Baste the pig with the pan drippings and melted butter every 30 minutes to keep it moist.
6. When the pig is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. Serve the Lechon hot, with steamed rice and a dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy!

Kare-Kare recipe

Here is a simple recipe for kare-kare, a popular stew from the Philippines:

Kare-Kare recipe Ingredients:

• 2 lbs oxtail or beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 4 cups water
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as eggplant, bok choy, and green beans)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Kare-Kare recipe Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the oxtail or beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the onion is softened.
3. Stir in the peanut butter, water, and fish sauce, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, or until the meat is tender.
4. Add the mixed vegetables to the pot and continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve the kare-kare hot, with steamed rice on the side. Enjoy!

Lumpia recipe

Here is a simple recipe for lumpia, a popular type of spring roll from the Philippines:

Lumpia recipe Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb ground pork or beef
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green beans
• 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 16 spring roll wrappers
• 1 egg, beaten
• Vegetable oil for frying

Lumpia recipe Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork or beef, carrot, onion, green beans, raisins (if using), soy sauce, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Mix well to combine.
2. To assemble the lumpia, place a spring roll wrapper on a flat surface with one corner facing you. Place a heaping tablespoon of the filling in the center of the wrapper.
3. Brush the edges of the wrapper with the beaten egg, then fold the corner closest to you over the filling, tucking it under the filling. Fold the sides of the wrapper inward, then roll the wrapper up tightly to form a cylinder. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
4. In a large saucepan, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, carefully add the lumpia to the pan and fry, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown on all sides.
5. Remove the lumpia from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve the lumpia hot, with a dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy!

Sisig recipe

Here is one of our simple Filipino recipes for sisig, a popular Filipino dish from the Barangays. It’s peasant food and it is brilliant. The KING of Filipino cuisine:

Sisig recipe Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork, chicken, or beef, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped red or green chili pepper (optional)
• 1 lime, quartered
• 1 fried egg (optional)

Sisig recipe Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork, chicken, or beef with vinegar, soy sauce, lemon juice, chili powder, pepper, and salt. Marinate the meat for at least 30 minutes.
2. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated meat to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned on all sides.
3. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the onion is softened.
4. Stir in the green onions, mayonnaise, cilantro, and chili pepper (if using), and cook for an additional minute to heat through.
5. Transfer the sisig to a serving platter and top with a fried egg, if desired. Serve the Sisig hot, with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top. Enjoy!

Pancit recipe

Here is a simple recipe for Pancit, a one of the most simple Filipino recipes and popular noodle dish:

Pancit recipe Ingredients:

• 8 oz dried rice noodles
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 lb pork, chicken, or beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup sliced onion
• 1/2 cup sliced carrot
• 1/2 cup sliced green beans
• 1/2 cup sliced cabbage
• 1/2 cup sliced bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Pancit recipe Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice noodles and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until they are tender. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork, chicken, or beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned on all sides.
3. Add the onion, carrot, green beans, cabbage, bell pepper, cilantro, and garlic to the skillet, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
4. Stir in the cooked noodles, soy sauce, fish sauce, and pepper, and cook for an additional minute to heat through.
5. Serve the pancit hot, with additional soy sauce or fish sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!

Bicol Express recipe

Read on for one of the most simple Filipino recipes you can find. Here is Bicol Express, a spicy dish from the Philippines. Named after the very train it was created on that ran between Manila and Bicol. Yes, the Bicol Express. And it is truly a simple of simple Filipino recipes.

Bicol Express recipe Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon shrimp paste
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Bicol Express recipe Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned on all sides.
2. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the onion is softened.
3. Stir in the coconut milk, shrimp paste, chili powder, pepper, and salt, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, or until the pork is tender.
4. Stir in the cilantro and cook for an additional minute to heat through.
5. Serve the Bicol Express hot, with steamed rice on the side. Enjoy!

Tinola Recipe

Here is a simple recipe for Tinola, a popular soup dish from the Philippines:

Tinola Recipe Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, peeled and sliced
• 1 chili pepper, sliced (optional)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sliced vegetables (such as bok choy, napa cabbage, and green beans)
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Tinola Recipe Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned on all sides.
2. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, and chili pepper (if using) to the saucepan and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the onion is softened.
3. Stir in the chicken broth, water, vegetables, and fish sauce, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve the Tinola hot, with steamed rice on the side. Enjoy!

Halo-Halo is another of our simple Filipino Recipes

Here is one of our simple Filipino recipes for halo-halo, a popular Filipino dessert to finish off your dinner:

Halo-Halo Recipe Ingredients:

• 2 cups shaved ice
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup mixed fruit (such as sliced banana, mango, and pineapple)
• 1/4 cup mixed jelly (such as ube, gulaman, and sago)
• 1/4 cup ice cream (such as ube, mango, or vanilla)
• 1/4 cup cornflakes, crushed
• 1/4 cup leche flan
• 1/4 cup shaved ice cream

Halo-Halo Recipe Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the shaved ice, evaporated milk, and sweetened condensed milk. Mix well to combine.
2. Divide the halo-halo mixture into individual serving bowls.
3. Arrange the mixed fruit, mixed jelly, ice cream, cornflakes, and Leche flan on top of the halo-halo mixture in the bowls.
4. Top the halo-halo with a scoop of shaved ice cream and serve immediately. How about that for one of the most simple Filipino recipes? Enjoy!

Simple Filipino Recipes, Conclusion

That was the last of our simple Filipino recipes. A great way to end was on a dessert and the rather delicious Halo-Halo. You have to give that one a try at home. You can get more simple Filipino recipes on the site. Click here for our Top 10 Favourite Filipino Vegetable Recipes, or how about another of our simple Filipino recipes of the alcohol kind to accompany your dinner with our 8 Cheap Pinoy Alcohol Mix (how to make Pinoy cocktails), and finally let’s leave you with yet more simple Filipino recipes of the BBQ-kind with our Filipino BBQ Recipe Compilation.

We hope this blog has given you the confidence to get the oven on, the hob on, and the ScanPan out, and give it a go. We kept them simple. Well, after all, this was all about simple Filipino recipes, right? Get cooking, get eating and have fun. ENJOY!!!