• Summers in Hawaii
  • Bicolano
  • Dagat

Summers in Hawaii

  • Summers in Hawaii: A Hawaii-Filipino Inspired Dinner

    Growing up, I spent most of my summers in Hawaii. I was exposed to cooking at a young age watching my Lolo and Lola (grandparents) and other family members create a family feast. The family lived within blocks from each other in Moanalua Valley that enabled them to stay close to each other. This meal is reminiscent of some of the flavors during those summers.

    • Appetizer: Ahi Tuna Poke
      Appetizer: Ahi Tuna Poke
      Wild-caught and sashimi-grade Hawaiian bigeye tuna cubed then seasoned with Hawaiian salt with chili, onions, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
      • Appetizer: Lumpia
        Appetizer: Lumpia
        The Filipino version of egg rolls. We be serving the following flavor with an accompanying dipping sauce: - Chicken Shanghai- with ground chicken and julienned vegetables.
        • Small Plate: Mochiko Chicken Katsu
          Small Plate: Mochiko Chicken Katsu
          Chicken thighs marinated in Mochiko rice flour, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey ginger, garlic, green onions and peppers then dipped in seasoned flour and panko then fried to a crisp. Served with a side of 3-potato/ salad (Purple, Yukon gold, and red potatoes).
          • Entree: Braised Beef Loco Moco
            Entree: Braised Beef Loco Moco
            Loco Moco is a dish commonly found in Hawaii at fast food restaurants and drive inns . The traditional loco moco consists of white rice, topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy. I'll be preparing my version with a few twists. 5+ hour braised boneless beef short ribs w/ sautéed Farmers market greens and caramelized onions. Topped with gravy made from beef stock. Served with a sous vide slow-poached egg over garlic rice.
            • Dessert: Deconstructed Chocolate Haupia Pie
              Dessert: Deconstructed Chocolate Haupia Pie
              Bottom layer of cholocate and coconut custard cream. Top layer of haupia (creamy coconut pudding) on a crushed coconut/shortbread crust. Topped with fresh whipped cream, crushed macadamia, toasted coconut, and shaved chocolate.
            • Summers in Hawaii
            • Bicolano
            • Dagat

            Bicolano

            • Bicolano: A 6 Course Filipino Inspired Dinner

              This menu is inspired by some of my mom's recipes along with a trip I took to the Bicol Province in the Philippines. Bicol is located at the Southeast part of the nation’s capital. The Bicolano cuisine is primarily noted for the prominent use of chili peppers and coconut milk in the dishes. This meal will be reminiscent of some of the flavors and dishes that remind me of my mom's cooking and my time spent in Bicol.

              • Appetizer: Lumpia
                Appetizer: Lumpia
                The Filipino version of egg rolls. We'll be serving the following flavor with a spiced coconut vinegar dipping sauce: - Chicken Shanghai- with ground chicken and julienned vegetables.
                • Small Plate: Salad
                  Small Plate: Salad
                  Mix greens, radishes, cherry tomatoes, toasted pili nuts, fried shallots, coconut/garlic croutons
                  • Small Plate: Labong
                    Small Plate: Labong
                    Braised Bamboo Shoots in coconut milk, ginger, garlic, watercress. Chicken chicharon.
                    • Entree: Butternut Squash Laing
                      Entree: Butternut Squash Laing
                      Butternut squash, ginger, garlic coconut cream, bagoong (salted shrimp paste), pickled serrano, and sauteed chard.
                      • Entree: Bicol Express
                        Entree: Bicol Express
                        Seasoned and slow-roasted pork sauteed with assorted chli peppers, lemongrass, bagoong (salted shrimp paste), onions, and garlic.
                        • Dessert: Sinapot
                          Dessert: Sinapot
                          Saba banana fritters battered in rice flour and eggs. Served with vanilla bean ice cream and topped with toasted coconut and crushed pili nuts.
                        • Summers in Hawaii
                        • Bicolano
                        • Dagat

                        Dagat

                        • Dagat: 5-Course Filipino-inspired Seafood Dinner

                          For this Filipino-inspired dinner I wanted to prepare a special and sentimental pescatarian-friendly meal influenced by my favorite dishes that my parents and grandparents prepared for me while I was growing up. The dishes as authentic to my family's creations/recipes as possible while reflecting my own, personal growth in the kitchen.

                          • Shrimp Lumpia
                            Shrimp Lumpia
                            Butterflied shrimp stuffed with a creamy herb-infused cheese spread, wrapped in a pastry shell, then fried.
                            • Salad
                              Salad
                              Mix greens, red cabbage, sliced radishes, coconut-garlic croutons, crushed roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and a Calamansi lime-honey vinaigrette.
                              • Broiled Mackerel
                                Broiled, wild-caught Norwegian mackerel fillet with roasted vegetables and atchara (Filipino-style pickled vegetables). Soy, Calamansi lime, and pepper dipping sauce. (If Mackerel isn't available, market fish substitution will be provided)
                                • Ginataan na Alimasag at Hipon
                                  Dungeness crab and shrimp stewed with garlic, ginger, lemongrass, birdseye chili, pepper, bagoong (salted shrimp paste), and young jackfruit. Served with crab fat fried rice. *if Dungeness crab is not available or out of season, a substitution will be made.
                                  • Raspberry Bibingka
                                    A lightly sweet, moist cake made with rice flour, raspberries, honey, and coconut milk. Served with vanilla bean ice cream, toasted coconut, and finished with raspberry/honey puree and Ilocano asin (sea salt from the Philippines).