Filipino Spaghetti. What is this and how is it different from the Italian classic version we know and love? Well, this Filipino favourite is very popular at birthday parties and fast food chains like pride of The Philippines, Jollibee, serve it as a menu staple. Defined by its bright red sauce, which has a base made of Tomato Sauce, Tomato Paste and Banana Ketchup (tomatoes were hard to come by during the war!) and also its distinctly sweet flavour, we’re sure you’ll love this if you have a sweet tooth. Also, its protein is a sweet Filipino sausage called Longganisa – or sliced hot dogs – and pork. Stop judging. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it! This is actually great!
Ingredients:
450g Spaghetti
2 cups Tomato Sauce
1 cup Banana Ketchup or Tomato Ketchup
1 can Tomato Paste
8 small Longganisa, sliced
1/2 lb ground pork
1 small onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsps Brown Sugar
2 tbsps Oyster Sauce
3 tbsps unsalted butter
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup grated Cheddar/Mozzerella
Instructions:
1. Prepare Spaghetti till al dente. Strain in colander and set aside, reserving a ladle-full of liquid from pastaGallery:
(Photo credit: Mr Will Wong)
Air Fryer Turon. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Filipino Cuisine, it honestly is so satisfying! One of my favourite things is Turon and it’s been so long since I’ve had it. It’s basically a sweet, caramelized egg roll with banana/plantain stuffed inside. So delicious. I was watching SELENA + CHEF and it was so cool seeing Toronto-born, New York-based Chef Jordan Andino guest star on the show, showing us how to make some traditional favourites. I love that his take on Turon has Jackfruit, a stinky, albeit delicious and underappreciated fruit. If you can find it fresh, use fresh, if not, no shame in canned. I’ve played around with this and adapted it for the Air Fryer, cutting sweetness and grease, but still enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients:
8 Egg Roll WrappersInstructions:
1. Lay Egg Roll Wrapper on cutting board.Gallery:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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