Filipino Side Dish
So, the other day I was craving some good old Filipino food, but I wanted something more than just the usual main dishes. I’ve been to a few Filipino restaurants like Casa Buenas and Crisostomo, and they always have these amazing side dishes that just complete the meal. I thought, why not try making some at home?
I started digging around for some easy recipes. I mean, I love cooking, but I’m no expert, especially when it comes to Filipino cuisine. I found a few that seemed simple enough, and I decided to give them a shot.
My First Attempt: Okra
First up was the Filipino Okra. I’ve had it a couple of times before, and it’s always been pretty good. It’s just boiled okra, but there’s something about the way Filipinos prepare it that makes it special.
- I washed the okra thoroughly.
- Then, I trimmed off the ends. Some people say to trim only the stem part, others say you need to cut off both sides, I just followed my guts.
- Next, I boiled some water in a pot and added some salt.
- Once the water was boiling, I threw in the okra and cooked it for about 5-7 minutes. I did not time it exactly because my phone was charging. But basically cooked them until they were tender but not too mushy.
- Finally, I drained the okra and served it with some bagoong (fermented fish paste).
It turned out pretty well! It wasn’t exactly like the ones in restaurants, but it was close enough. The bagoong really made the dish, though. I guess every family and every restaurant have their own taste.
Next Up: Green Beans
After the okra, I felt a bit more confident, so I decided to try making green beans. I had no idea that green beans could be so delicious until I saw this recipe online. It seemed pretty straightforward, so I gave it a go.
- First, I washed and trimmed the green beans. Similar to okra, just cut off the hard end.
- Then, I heated some oil in a pan.
- Once the oil was hot, I sauteed some garlic and onions until they were fragrant.
- Next, I added the green beans and stir-fried them for a few minutes. I do not own a wok, so I just used my regular pan.
- I added a bit of soy sauce and some black pepper for flavor. Some people add oyster sauce, but I did not have one at that moment.
- I cooked everything until the green beans were tender-crisp.
Wow! These green beans were amazing! They were so flavorful and had a nice crunch to them. I definitely overcooked a little bit, but hey, I am still learning. I think I might have found my new favorite side dish.
Experimenting with Other Dishes
Feeling adventurous, I decided to try a couple more dishes. I made some Poqui Poqui, which is an Ilocano dish made with eggplant, tomatoes, and eggs. It’s usually served for breakfast, but I thought it would be a good side dish too. The process was a little bit tricky, but I managed it.
- I grilled the eggplant until the skin was charred. This took longer than expected since I used the small eggplants.
- Then, I peeled off the skin and mashed the eggplant.
- I sauteed some garlic, onions, and tomatoes in a pan.
- I added the mashed eggplant and scrambled some eggs into the mixture.
- Finally I seasoned everything with salt and pepper.
It turned out pretty good, although it was a bit different from what I expected. It was a little bit mushy but still tasted nice.
I also tried making some Kinilaw Na Isda, which is a Filipino version of ceviche. It’s basically raw fish marinated in vinegar, onions, and ginger. I used a fresh tuna that I got from the local market.
- I cut the fish into small cubes.
- Then, I marinated it in vinegar for about 30 minutes. Not sure whether it’s too long, but I don’t want to get sick.
- I mixed in some chopped onions, ginger, and chili peppers.
- I seasoned everything with salt and pepper.
This one was a bit out of my comfort zone, but it turned out surprisingly well. It was really refreshing and had a nice kick to it. I probably added too much chili, my mouth was burning for an hour.
Overall, I had a lot of fun experimenting with these Filipino side dishes. It was a great learning experience, and I discovered some new favorites along the way. I’m definitely going to keep exploring Filipino cuisine and trying out more recipes. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to cook like a real Filipino chef!
