the lab 2.0
How this crazy thing got started
Like most people, I wanted my parents’ recipes but none of them were written down. I tried searching for Filipino recipes online, but alas, none of them tasted as good.
I thought about it more and I realized that writing down these family recipes was really important. My generation is the first American born and raised. Although some of my cousins speak or understand Tagalog (the Filipino national language), the food is really the main tie we have to our culture.
Family parties and get-togethers (or “auntie/uncle parties” as we termed them) are a staple of our upbringing. My family is especially close, and we love talking about food almost as much as love eating!
Filipinos are great assimilators (is that even a thing?) so our cuisine has Spanish and Asian influences. We also enjoy adding trying new dishes from other cultures. At auntie/uncle parties there usually is Filipino food as well as American, Japanese, Chinese, soul food, etc.
It seems every generation has a self-appointed “family cook”, and that happens to be yours truly. The only culinary training I have is from my parents, my family and all the TV shows I’ve watched.
This blog is meant to chronicle those family recipes, as well as any other recipes I have tried. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Email: adjusttotaste[at]gmail.com
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the puppehs - Bean and Honey
10 general facts
- Lives in Chesapeake, Virginia.
- Is Filipino American. And if you were wondering, my folks are from Pampanga.
- Has the most beautiful, wonderful, and supportive friends.
- Graduated bachelor’s degree in journalism.
- Has a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Bean and a rescued pitt/beagle/? named Honey.
- Has a BIG extended family. Seriously. It’s ridiculous.
- Named after French actress Genevieve Bujold.
- Works as a systems analyst for a retailer.
- Ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in September 2009.
- Was born in Guam.
5 random facts
- Can practically recite the words to “Home Alone”, “Clueless”, “Friends,” “So I Married an Axe Murderer,” “Aladdin,” “Gilmore Girls,” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (the movie, not the cartoon).
- Hates cats.
- Probably will never know how to spell “convenience” correctly without spell check.
- Will always be a fan of Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and Britney Spears - no matter how crazy they get.
- Always in the mood to eat Asian food – especially dumplings!
i learned something new reading your “about me”….and NOW know why you have a taste for good food!!!
it’s cause you’re kapangpangan, huh?! SAME HERE!!!
ask luisa to say “kapangpangan”! =) i tried to teach her, but it’s pretty funny
I love Gen-Gen. This site is awesome. I setting up a fan site.
For your restaraunt sampling, do highly recommend you make a stop at the Street Cook. Skip the gyros (though they are very good)- try one of the chicken dishes. The pastito (did I spell it right?) was awesome as well – the Greek take on Italian. Holy Week and Greek food always work well together and give a good reason to try new places.