I'm not your typical recipe blogger, and I don't know of anyone else who writes Filipino recipes this way. I've learned to embrace it! I think it's pretty common knowledge that people spend more time eating out than cooking at home these days. Until I made the effort to schedule "cooking time" into my week, I fell into that category. And as more people spend less time in the kitchen, those who do cook at home tend to do it for a variety of reasons: some may want to eat healthier, save money, spend time with loved ones, catch up on episodes of your favourite show/podcast while cooking, or spend the extra cash on booze (my favourite reason).

My recipes are long, detailed and sometimes involve using things like a sous-vide circulator (when I do, I promise it's worth making that way!). I write ALL the instructions out. I always make enough food to share. I think about how to divvy up what I batch cook on Sunday afternoons for the week and my freezer. I really dislike buying expensive ingredients for weeknight meals. I make my recipes this way because I love them and genuinely think they’re great ways to prepare Filipino food at home, regularly.

If that sounds like something you're into, here are four things you’ll learn with a trip to my recipe archives:

1) How to make classic Filipino dishes

Regional cuisines across the Philippines are incredibly rich and diverse. While exploring the flavours of different regions, we’ll also talk about ingredient substitution and why these foods have achieved classic status.

2) How to master basic cooking techniques

Have you ever baked a cake that flopped, grilled meat to a crisp or made a stew that sounded much better than it actually tastes? I definitely have!

I learned how to cook not from my grandma, but from Nora and Alton and Kenji and Mark. Under their wing, I’ve learned that cooking really is an art and a science, and that becoming a good cook is a lifelong quest. But we all need the foundations - standard prep and cooking techniques - to start. Don't leave your leche flan or sinigang to chance. Learn the foundations!

3) The history and culture of Filipino food

I love learning about the stories behind dishes, ingredients and food products from the Philippines. Food is the window to our soul.

4) How to adapt traditional recipes for your own kitchen

Filipinos all over the world prepare Filipino food in their kitchens. Some recipes are more "authentic" to their roots than others - and that's okay! What's important is that you make it yourself, share it with others and enjoy your time in the kitchen. Cooking makes me happy and I hope it does the same for you 😊