Chef Fernando Aracama’s modern takes on 6 staple Filipino food

(Philstar.com)

July 28, 2017 - 5:22am

Here are some of the finest dishes of Chef Fernardo Aracama, inspired by the dishes of his hometown, Bacolod. Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

MANILA, Philippines — It takes guts, talent and respect for culture to instill modern twists to traditional Filipino food without betraying its time-honored, home-like taste.

These skills are the secret ingredients to Chef Fernando Aracama’s acclaim in making progressive Filipino cuisine.

“In my line of work as a chef, you cannot just stay in the status quo,” Aracama told Philstar.com. “You always have to find ways to break the mold because it’s great for your customers to taste tradition but at the same it would be wonderful for them to see what you can do as a chef.”

Bacolod-born Filipino chef and restaurateur Fernando Aracama Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

Aracama has always been popular for his well-thought roster of delicious Filipino cuisine showcased in the menu of his titular restaurant “Aracama” located in the midst of the bustling Bonifacio Global City.

Here are some of Aracama’s finest dishes:

1. Cheeseburger Empanadas

A favorite homemade merienda, empanadas are given a fresh American take with its grilled Angus beef cheeseburger mixed with caramelized onions. To get a full taste of these cheeseburger empanadas, dip it in the provided Sriracha catsup.

Cheeseburger Empanadas Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

2. Malunggay Mozzarella Dip

One of Aracama’s signature dishes is a healthy appetizer, the Malunggay Mozzarella Dip. It does not only tickle the taste buds of cheese lovers but also provide a nutritious twist with its hot cheese dip sprinkled with moringa leaves and spinach. It is served with crostinis.

Malunggay Mozzarella Dip Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

3. Fish balls

In the streets, fans of fish balls are given two choices for dipping. In Aracama, this favorite street food staple may be dipped in three sauces, depending on the preferred taste of the customer. It is dished out with long barbecue sticks, resembling its customary serving.

Homemade fish balls Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

4. Sisig Fries

Aracama has proved it: French fries taste better with sisig. A new addition to the classic menu, the sisig fries dish is served with chillies, relish and a homemade garlic alioli.

Sisig Fries Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

5. Dulce Gatas and Bunuelos

This dessert brings back its tasters to their grandmothers’ houses. Part of the finale cuisines, the bunuelos is a fried dough food that resembles a cheese puff with its ball shape as a fried pastry. Indulge in the pastry’s sweet taste with a Dulce de leche dip in a little can that bears Aracama’s face on the outside.

Dulce Gatas and Bunuelos Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

6. Chocnut Ice Cream

Desserts are the epitome of “last but not the least.” This original take on an ice cream flavor is an Aracama signature dish. A sweet chocolate bar present in almost everyone’s childhood, Choc Nut is chopped into big chunks and mixed with ice cream.

Chocnut Ice Cream Philstar.com/Efigenio Christopher Toledo IV

‘Funlasang Pinoy’ Culinary Cook-off

As a staple in dining tables, Filipino dishes rarely get their much deserved appreciation from Filipino diners themselves. But in other countries such as the United States, London, Canada, and Germany, Filipinos' well-loved classics are gaining popularity.

As such, Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) Philippines challenged chefs and cooks across the country to make classic Pinoy dishes more exciting by putting flavorful twists that will bring these dishes to the spotlight. In a culinary competition dubbed as "Funlasang Pinoy," Filipino chefs and cooks are invited to showcase their creativity by innovating the classic recipes of pansit, sinigang, kaldereta, tapa, and sisig with a different and creative twist they could think of.

“Our local cuisine is an amazing treasure that we Filipinos are proud of. However, as the dining scene gets more crowded with a variety of choices and evolving palate of diners for good food, there’s obviously a need to make our classic Pinoy dishes more current and interesting,” said James Benedict Carreon, Managing Director of UFS Philippines. “This is why we have launched this competition—to encourage more culinary experts to unleash their ingenuity in the kitchen and create fun and interesting Filipino dishes with a twist that will surely reignite and pique their diners’ interest for Filipino food.”

All entries will be judged according to the following criteria: creativity of the twist, food presentation, and the use of Unilever Food Solutions products included in the competition. The top 10 finalists to be announced on July 30 will be able to present their chosen recipes in a live cook-off in front of esteemed experts from the Philippine culinary industry and diners during the first "Funlasang Pinoy Twist Fest" slated to happen in August. Their recipes will also be featured in the official Funlasang Pinoy Cookbook to be published soon after. In addition to this, the first-ever Funlasang Pinoy Twist Fest champion, who will have the most unique and delicious recipe among all dishes, will receive an additional P100,000 cash prize and exclusive publicity features.

Apart from launching this competition for the Filipino chefs and cooks, UFS also hopes to use this as an avenue to create a bigger impact in the Philippine culinary scene. “By initiating this endeavor, we hope to put the limelight back to Filipino cuisine and re-ignite the love of our fellowmen for our own local dishes. Through the talents of our genius culinary experts, and with the help of the right products, Pinoy dishes can be more fun, interesting, and keep up with the competitive landscape of the food industry,” added Carreon.