Filipino home cooking for Fil-American Christmas charity dinner

Pinoy fare. Barbecued chicken and pork barbecue were among the dishes served in the party

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Those who attended the Carolina Christmas Party holiday dinner and fundraiser were served classic and modern Filipino food cooked by the lady chefs of the Fil-American Spirit (FAS) and the Filipino-American Carolina Community (FACC) last Friday evening.

The event hosted at the Asian Library by the Carolinas-Asian Chamber of Commerce also aimed to raise funds for the victims of supertyphoon Haiyan that devastated central Philippines a month ago.

Those in attendance ate appetizers like lumpiang shanghai, thin crispy spring rolls with sweet and sour dipping sauce and entrees like chicken adobo, a national dish of the Philippines consisting of braised chicken in a tangy, garlicky-vinegary soy sauce—a Spanish dish with a touch of the orient.

Pancit bihon, or Chinese rice noodles which are served on birthdays since they symbolize long life, were served in two versions; one with shrimps and the other vegetarian. 

Beef mechado, an Iberian Peninsula larded roast beef and perennial fiesta favorite in the Philippines was also available along with chop suey con camaron, stir fried veggies with shrimps in a light brown sauce.

Teriyaki salmon or salmon baked in a light teriyaki marinade with ginger and scallions were also on the table with lumpiang frito (fried roll) and sauteed vegetables.

But the real stand-out was the chicken and pork barbecue, marinated meat grilled on a stick. A Filipino version of satay (not to be confused with pulled pork) was likewise served.

“I waited for this barbecue the whole day,” FACC auditor Amira Q. Issa said. Sweet tooth treats include leche flan (caramel custard), assorted cupcakes, fruits 

While for desserts the popular leche plan, assorted cupcakes, fruits des saison and stollen, a German fruit cake. The menu was given the thumbs up by FACC members including past president Dell Fallar. 

For a fundraiser for Filipino typhoon victims, the menu was a sumptuous taste of home.