Comments on: A “Filipino Dinner” for Foreign Guests…

By: Beth Woods

Beth Woods — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 08:56:04 +0000

I always have the ginataang kalabasa and Adobo whenever foreign guests are around, while kinilaw is for when I have the extra energy. Anything with coconut milk is always an instant hit.

When my husband and I were first dating, I cooked Pinoy food for him using only the best ingredients, and he was blown away because he didn’t know how good Pinoy food can be, without all the crap (no Maggi, no hotdogs, no ketchup). More recently, he was given ginataang/adobong pusit which now belongs in his top favorites :)

By: Getter Dragon 1

Getter Dragon 1 — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 03:02:06 +0000

One of the (tired) reasons of why Filipino food doesn’t have a higher profile in the west is because it doesn’t present well. Your thoughtful presentation dispells that myth. That’s pretty genius to have a tablescape of gourds and serve ginataang kalabasa. Which reminds me…its dungenous crab season on the west coast. A sumptious pairing.

By: NidaFe O

NidaFe O — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 03:03:56 +0000

I left the Philippines when I was young and have treasured the many fond memories of growing up there. I would be lying if I told you that the Pinoyness of your blog is what has gotten me hooked for that would not be entirely true. Your posts are intelligent but not snobbish, you express strong opinions without being preachy, and of course, your food posts are the best!! You admit to experimenting with dishes and openly share the results…best of all, your political views, expressed with just the right amount of exasperation and mild sarcasm and sometimes dark humor, reads better than most Filipino op-ed pieces I’ve encountered. More power to you!!!

By: Marketman

Marketman — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 15:05:02 +0000

Dragon, I have changed the word back to “wangle” defined by googling as:

“an act or an instance of obtaining something by persuasion or manipulation”

and not “wrangle” defined by googling as:

“have a long and complicated dispute”

I had it right the first time. :)

By: Marketman

Marketman — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 15:01:53 +0000

izang, I purchased them at Pottery Barn in NY several years ago. Large (24oz I think) and very thin glass. Polish made, and surprisingly, just about $2 a piece. They look fragile, but in say 6-7 years of nearly daily use, we have only broken a few out of two dozen or so we shipped home in a balikbayan box. Totally worth the money paid. Not to worry if you aren’t traveling soon, I hear pottery barn/williams sonoma is opening in Makati/Taguig soon. :) Alternatively, in Quiapo and Sin Kian Heng, they have large water glasses for about 40-60pesos each.

By: izang

izang — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 14:53:48 +0000

You really are an inspiration…

Btw, may i ask where did you get your water glasses? Seems bigger than regular ones. Thanks.

By: Marketman

Marketman — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 14:50:10 +0000

Khew, the answer is simple… reliable, loyal, competent and long-term crew… :) From food to flowers, marketing and setting up for dinners… I couldn’t do a fraction of what is featured on this blog without them. We take good care of them, and they take good care of us. And they accept I am a bit looney sometimes… :)

By: EJ

EJ — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 14:33:36 +0000

Ditto, Khew :-)

By: Khew

Khew — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 09:48:12 +0000

Where do you find the energy!

By: ami

ami — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 01:21:30 +0000

Nice red, orange and yellow theme you have on your table. From the food, plates, mats, and the decor. Cute gourds and assorted miniature pumpkins.