Recipes

William Faulkner, a known writer once said that “a man will not just merely endure, he will prevail.” This one line has shaped my outlook in life in every imaginable aspect there is. But how can one prevail and not just merely endure? Thousands and one explanations can answer that question and in my case incorporating it in food will hopefully get my message across.

Filipino cuisine. If there is one thing I am proud of being a Filipino that would be our cuisine. I have visited quite a number of Filipino Restaurants, all of which occupies a special place in my heart. For the longest time Filipino cuisine is used as one factor in defining our rich cultural heritage. The beautiful thing about it is that although it has a strong grip to its cultural orientation, it is adaptable to the ever changing civilization. Indeed, Filipino cuisine will not just merely endure, its strong sense of identity commensurate to its capacity to evolve without losing touch to its roots. One good example I would like to give is the restaurant called Recipes.


Serving Filipino food with a twist. They have been with us for quite a while now and they have already created their own mark in the food industry. A clear way of showing a strong hold on Filipino roots without fear of evolving by giving their dishes a remarkable twist.

My recent visit to Recipes was a feast of delectable dishes that I consider an intimate venture. For the past week I was exposed to different cuisines which are all undeniable good, but during the time that I sat inside Recipes restaurant and was handed Chicharon Bulaklak with vinegar for dipping, I know I am yet again in communion to the very cuisine which I hold dear to my heart.

Chicharon Bulaklak

The crunchy edge of the Chicharon Bulaklak tickles my tongue with its texture while the taste that was significantly magnified by the distinct character of the vinegar plays well with my palate. I love that Recipes' version of it isn’t too oily nor too soggy. Just the right amount of crispiness with a taste perfectly palatable.

Crispy Tilapia

One of Recipes’ best sellers is their Crispy Tilapia. Cooked in a manner like that of a finger fish, but the slices are served on top of the entire crispy fried fish where they have taken off the meat. The convenience of eating is just one feat that this dish offers but the main thing that separate it is its rich taste that assures you of fresh fish the restaurant use. It comes with Recipe’s homemade dip of vinegar and soy sauce plus some secret spices.

Crispy Bangus

Although their Crispy Tilapia was adored by its doting foodie fans, my palate favored their Crispy Bangus more. I love how I wouldn’t have to worry about its fishbone since it was served fillet fish fingers style just like the Crispy Tilapia. The satin texture of the Milk Fish is predominant although it was covered with a thin batter hinting of spices which made it all the more delectable.

Gising-Gising

Gising-Gising, a truly Filipino dish of vegetable cooked in Coconut Crème. I’ve had several Gising-Gising before but Recipe’s version is the one which suits my palate well. The right amount of spiciness tempered by the creamy coconut milk is enticingly delicious.

General's Chicken

First time I heard of General’s Chicken I was half expecting that it is served whole in all the chicken’s honor and glory. But no, it’s not just that way. Turns out, the general is not the chicken but the sauce they use for it. Crispy chunks of chicken and slices of fried egg plant covered with the luscious general sauce which is sweet and savory flavorful. My teeth penetrates into its crunchiness then the delicate chicken meat oozes out its natural juice only to be interrupted by the luscious taste of the general sauce. It deserves a salute for its perfection.

Fried Tofu in General Sauce

Now, if you are a vegetarian, you can still enjoy the wondrous taste of the general sauce poured over fried tofu. Although I’m a fan of its chicken version, the tofu is equally dignified on its own. Crunchy on the outside but soft and luscious inside. You don’t have to worry about the usual lame taste of the tofu because the sauce will definitely make up for it. Again, another salute, for that one tasty dish.

Crispy Tilapia Escabeche

Versatility is one of Recipes' remarkable feat both in terms of their ambiance and dishes. Aside from the Crispy Tilapia, they have other version of it enriched with different flavor. One is Crispy Tilapia Escabeche and the other one is Crispy Tilapia in Tamarind Sauce. The escabeche sauce screams flavors you could eat it on its own.

Crispy Tilapia in Tamarind Sauce

While I am exposed to eating escabeche because it is one of my father’s mastered recipes, the Tamarind sauce however is a welcome change on my palate. I love the tangy citrus flavor that tease my tongue to have another bite after the other.

Lechon Kawali with Kang-Kong

I am used to having lechon kawali with its usual sauce; little did I know that when combined with adobong kang-kong, it’ll be a dish I would still crave for days after. We know that lechon kawali is one of the dishes that you should have in moderation because of its fat content. Now personally, I love that Recipes was able to incorporate something sinfully delicious to something downright healthy. It gives me some sort of affirmation that after biting into the crunchiness of the meaty lechon kawali, the adobong kangkong will be my redemption.

Kare-Kare

Recipes' version of Kare-Kare is another thing that one should not miss. The sauce is not too thick nor too runny. Just the right amount of thickness with a punch of nutty flavor savory enough for me to have a second helping of steamy rice. I have tried eating it without its usual accompaniment of bagoong (shrimp paste), and it is still great tasting.

Beef Stew

The Beef Stew on Recipes menu only goes to show that this restaurant is welcome and adaptable to the increasing demands of the market it caters to. You wouldn’t feel restricted to just Filipino Cuisine because they also offer other Asian dishes which are equally delicious. Their beef stew is probably one of the best I ever tasted. The beef was so tender and tasty, and combined with steamy white rice; a spoonful is enough to satisfy. They cooked it in a way that is friendly to Filipino palate but one can always ask for adjustment depending to your liking.

Buko Pandan

They offer different lines of dessert but what captures my attention mostly was their Buko Pandan. Shreds of fresh coconuts on the bed of pandan flavored gelatin with coconut cream sauce, topped with vanilla ice cream. They won my heart with the right amount of sweetness that is not too overwhelming and a perfect way to cleanse the palate.

These are just some of the dishes serve by Recipes. The distinct Filipino flavor was clearly prominent in every dish but touches of evolving flavors are also given importance. Food attendants were all pleasing and accommodating to their customers, making sure from time to time that they are giving the best customer service they could offer.

Restaurants like Recipes, which offers Filipino cuisines but still take pride in the notion that they can be at par with other restaurants serving International dishes is one way of showing that we Filipinos would not just merely endure. Amidst the myriad of different gastronomical choices, we will prevail.

Recipes

Branches:

OPENING SOON AT NEW PORT
2/F Greenbelt 3 Ayala Center, Makati City
2/F TriNoma Edsa cor. North Ave., Q.C.
2/F Corte de Las Palmas Alabang Town Center
2/F Robinsons Place Manila-Midtown
5/F Shangri-la Plaza Mandaluyong