Meat stews in Filipino food come in many forms. My favorite is Mechado. It’s a meat-and-potato stew with an incredibly creamy sauce and savory ingredients. Just like most Filipino food especially when it’s saucy, Mechado goes well with a side of rice. I have written a recipe for vegan Mechado before, but over time I…
2018 favorites and 2019 goals
The beginning of a new year can be a good reminder to slow down, reflect, and be intentional. I’m definitely guilty of needing a good reminder especially because I tend to get preoccupied too easily. Even on my free days, I would find myself mindlessly browsing online. I have to make a conscious effort to…
How to Make Maja Blanca Pudding with Latik Topping
If you grew up in the US, yellow corn might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sweet desserts. But if you grew up in Asia including the Philippines, you’ve probably had yellow corn in your icy drinks, sweet pudding, ice cream, and pastries. If you come to think…
Our Vegan Honeymoon in Paris
For a while now, I’ve long admired the city of Paris and its culture. I love how it celebrates, reveres, and nurtures art and artists. There’s also something about the French people’s passion for food that inspires me so much. I love that they’ve invented the croissant, baguette, macaron, and many more. And not just…
Young Jackfruit in Coconut Milk, Ginataang Langka
Coconut milk dishes in Filipino cuisine are usually either sweet or savory. Interestingly, both versions are named the same way. The first word is usually “Ginataang ” which means “in coconut milk,” and the second word is the main ingredient. For example, “Ginataang Langka” is “Young Jackfruit in Coconut Milk” and it’s savory but “Ginataang…
Vegan Nilaga Soup
If I have to name a dish I’ve cooked the most, it would be a Filipino soup called Nilaga. Often times I want a dish I can cook fast with ingredients I already have in hand like celery, carrots, cabbage, and squash. When I’m feeling generous, I add quinoa too. And once I bring the…
Vegan Kaldereta
Kaldereta is a spicy Filipino stew with meat and potatoes cooked in tomato sauce, liver spread, cheese, and chili pepper. Usually, it has beef, pork, or chicken but the most popular version has goat meat. For the most part, Filipinos love this dish for its tender meat and spicy sauce. And more often than not,…
Upcoming Astig Vegan Events 2018
The days are getting sunnier and longer here in San Francisco and from someone who grew up in the Philippines, I couldn’t be more excited to welcome the warming weather. I get to feel the sun again on my face while running, enjoy the natural light in my kitchen while cooking, and travel to different…
Vegan Arroz ala Cubana Recipe
If you’re looking for healthier meals this New Year without sacrificing flavor and ease of cooking, this recipe is for you. I’m ringing in 2018 with new recipes starting with a simple yet satisfying dish called “Arroz ala Cubana”. It’s a Filipino dish with a Spanish influence hence the name. It’s made of ground beef…
Astig Vegan Upcoming Events 2017
Lately I’ve been getting invitations to do food demos, speak at panel discussions, and organize potlucks. I’ve never been this busy with Astig Vegan! I’m grateful and excited to take part in all these events and to interact with followers and new people alike. I think it’s safe to say that the interest for vegan…