Loving local with a twist

The past few months have been tough, but that didn’t stop Filipinos using it as an opportunity to experiment more in the kitchen, from dalgona coffee to sushi bake. Cooking has been a great stress reliever for some people as whipping up their favorite dishes indulged their taste buds, and gave them a chance to showcase their creativity.

Procuring fresh ingredients for exotic dishes can be challenging, so why not try some new recipes that are different yet close to home? The ingredients can be found in your nearby palengke or even through online groceries. Here are some recipes of beloved local staples with a twist:

Satisfy your seafood cravings with some laing stuffed prawns. Perfect for special family dinners, this seafood dish is deceptively easy to make. The creaminess of the coconut milk adds a punch of flavor to the prawns. The chilis make you keep coming back for more servings. You can pair this dish with rice or pasta.

Tired of having pancit again for merienda? Roll with it, literally! Palabok rolls add an interesting spin to your everyday pancit. Having your pancit in a roll means it’s easier to serve. Plus, you can even adjust the size so they’re kid-friendly. Of course, we won’t judge you if you have more than one.

Surprise your family with a purple take on everyone’s favorite ulam: Sinigang. Ube sinigang adds a slightly creamy flavor while it tones down the sharp sour taste to the traditionalsinigang in sampalok. The ube also adds a different kind of sweetness to the dish, and it makes the consistency of the soup thicker than usual. You just need rice, and you’re ready to go.

Craving for bibingka but looking for a way to take it to the next level? You can elevate your favorite kakanin by making it into a cake. What’s great about bibingka pudding cake is that you don’t even need to bake it. It’s like a Filipino cheesecake, only it’s bibingka. Definitely a modern twist to a traditional dish.

At first glance, this may look like regular silvanas, but these are made with your favorite local chocolate: chocnut. Chocnut silvanas will be a sure hit to the kids as well as those with a big sweet tooth. Plus, it’s a scrumptious way to introduce a nostalgic treat to the next generation.

Did these dishes sound interesting or weird to you? Well, just because they’re different, doesn’t mean they’re not good. Trying new recipes not only takes your cooking skills to the next level, but it’s also a great way to bond with your family, not to mention something new to talk about with these crazy new recipes.

The possibilities are just endless in the kitchen, and you can even come up with unique dishes of your own. You just need to maximize all the tools and ingredients available to you, and get creative! Plus, who doesn’t enjoy eating delicious food?

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