A group of high-profile Filipino foodies have come together to create an e-book celebrating the distinct flavours of the country's cuisine.
Cuisinero – Taste the Philippines was spearheaded by author and Dubai resident Flavel Monteiro, whose previous works include Come Together and Home Comforts: Simple Lockdown Recipes from the World's Best Chefs and Bartenders, which was produced in partnership with The World's 50 Best Restaurants.
For Cuisinero, Monteiro enlisted the help of co-author Keesa Ocampo, an Emmy Award-winning director, writer and producer, as well as two big-name chefs, John Buenaventura, executive chef at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, and Nouel Omamalin, aka The Nifty Chef. "I connected with John and Nouel in May, telling them that I planned to do a book on Filipino cuisine, but something different and with a twist, taking Filipino cuisine to a totally different level. And they jumped at the idea," Monteiro tells The National.
Click here to discover two recipes from 'Cusiniero'
The result was unveiled on August 15, on www.filipinofoodmovement.org, with proceeds going to the non-profit organisation, to benefit Filipino-American food businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as to Philippine International Aid, in support of education for disadvantaged children in the Philippines.
“There are 7,641 islands in the Philippine archipelago and several ways of cooking popular dishes in different provinces, making it a very diverse and inclusive cuisine,” Monteiro says.
Everyone involved with the book recognises how food can be infused with love, memories and a sense of belonging. It can offer solace for those far from home, and act as a source of pride for people wanting to share a little slice of the Philippines with those around them.
Over the years, the kitchen has become my place of joy and refuge... It always made me feel more connected, less lonely, like I belonged somewhere
“Over the years, the kitchen has become my place of joy and refuge,” says Ocampo, who is Filipino-American, reminiscing about the food she used to cook in her late teens – roasted chops with apples, lapu-lapu al cartoccio cooked in oranges and dill, minaggang adobo, or her family nacho recipe.
After leaving the Philippines for the US, she would cook dishes that reminded her of her mother’s kitchen – aubergine parmigiana, French apple pie with butterscotch sauce and sinangag. “It always made me feel less lonely, like I belonged somewhere,” she says.
Today, Ocampo’s cooking reflects her multicultural experiences, which is entirely fitting for a cuisine that has long been a melting pot of international influences. “Now, I cook what reminds me of who I am as a Filipinx Cali girl,” she says.
“My Filipino side insists that if a friend wants to try Filipino food for the first time, they come to my home. The Cali girl cooks with fresh, locally available ingredients. Both sides dictate that I cook by memory, with love, because when anyone eats my food, they will get to know a part of my culture and more of who I am.”
Unexpectedly, Cuisinero starts on a sweet note. Pastry chef Omamalin crafted 50 dessert recipes infused with Filipino flavours, including yema, a thick, gooey, custard-like mixture that is rolled into spheres and coated in sugar, ground nuts or syrup; ube chocolate halaya, which combines purple yam with coconut milk, chocolate and palm sugar; mango-moringa bars; a durian tart; and a dense chocolate cake made richer by the addition of Barako coffee, a variety grown in the Philippines.
The book's savoury section, meanwhile, features such delicacies as tinolang halaan (clams in ginger broth); inihaw na hipon (tiger prawns marinated in calamansi, a citrus hybrid predominantly cultivated in the Philippines); kingfish ceviche; and a host of other seafood dishes cooked in intriguing ways. A hearty bulalo, or bone marrow broth, is "best enjoyed in cold weather and moderation", while pisngi ng kalabaw transforms buffalo meat into a tender centrepiece braised in root beer and beef stock.
“This book is an opportunity for us to go back to our roots and apply the techniques and experiences we have learnt through years of cooking on the global stage,” says chef Buenaventura. “My objective is not only to cook Filipino cuisine, but to create a desire for the world to ‘Taste the Philippines’, using our prized raw materials and products, and applied with modern and classical techniques.”
Monteiro serves up a version of sardinas at bangus (sardines and milkfish) with a Spanish-Filipino twist. The award-winning author talks with relish about the food of his homeland. “Filipino cuisine is all about character and personality, in addition to being a fusion of many international influences,” he says.
“This is a cuisine where technique and ingredients shine with the balance between flavours – sweet, sour, salty, bitter and savoury – in one bite. Some of its main techniques, adobo (to braise in vinegar), sigang (to boil with a souring agent) and kilaw (to prepare in citrus juice or vinegar), are thought to be names of dishes but rather, refer to cooking techniques.
“Hence, one may find a hundred variations of an adobo, and all are probably and legitimately the best in town. Rice is part of almost every household meal in the Philippines, transformed into a steady accompaniment, snack and dessert. Fresh catch from waters around the islands or backyard produce lend a freshness that needs not be masked by heavy spices, but rather, allowed to shine,” he adds.
The book includes a foreword by Hjayceelyn Quintana, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, which strikes a typically humble note. “Talking about our native cuisine to other people does not come naturally to Filipinos,” she says. “We would be the last to think there is something others would find interesting in the food we eat.
“All we know is the gustatory delight we feel from the flavours and ingredients we have grown accustomed to as part of our daily living. That is why when a foreigner begins to see something special, unique and promising in Filipino cuisine, we are both amazed and grateful at the same time.”
Cuisinero – Taste the Philippines goes a long way in highlighting all that is special and unique about Filipino cuisine. And Monteiro is already working on a sequel, Cuisinero II – The Flip Side, which is scheduled to come out in time for Christmas. A book focusing on food that is a little closer to home, called The Best of Dubai – A Dining Experience, is also in the works.
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Friday's schedule in Madrid
Men's quarter-finals
Novak Djokivic (1) v Marin Cilic (9) from 2pm UAE time
Roger Federer (4) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 7pm
Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Alexander Zverev (3) from 9.30pm
Stan Wawrinka v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11.30pm
Women's semi-finals
Belinda Bencic v Simona Halep (3) from 4.30pm
Sloane Stephens (8) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 10pm
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
Honeymoonish
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Results
2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly
3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Ireland v Denmark: The last two years
Denmark 1-1 Ireland
7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
19/11/2018, Nations League
Ireland 0-0 Denmark
13/10/2018, Nations League
Ireland 1 Denmark 5
14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Denmark 0-0 Ireland
11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
MATCH INFO
Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
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Everything Now
Arcade Fire
(Columbia Records)
