Pro Tips
**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Sauté aromatics (garlic, onion) until fragrant before adding liquids — it builds a deeper flavor base.
- Let meats rest after cooking so the juices redistribute for a more tender result.
- Filipino dishes are built on balance — taste your sauce before serving and add a pinch of sugar or a splash of vinegar if something feels off.
Cooking Tips
Pat the meat completely dry with paper towels before frying — moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 350–375°F (175–190°C). If the oil is too cool, the food absorbs grease; too hot and it burns on the outside before cooking through. Have all your ingredients prepped and measured before you start cooking — quick dishes leave no time for chopping mid-recipe.
Ingredient Substitutions
Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.
Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Crispy dishes are best enjoyed fresh — they lose their crunch when stored. If you must store leftovers, reheat in an air fryer or oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving crispy dishes — the steam makes the coating soggy. Use a toaster oven or stovetop skillet instead. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
Fried Okra
Fried Okra is super easy to make and seriously addictive. Dredged in flour and fried until golden and crispy, it's delicious as an appetizer or side dish!
Instructions
- In a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pot on medium heat, heat about 2-inches deep of oil to 350 F.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs until frothy.
- In another bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until well distributed.
- Dip the okra in the beaten eggs to fully coat.
- Dredge in flour mixture to fully coat.
- In the hot oil, add okra in batches and Cook, stirring now and then, for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden and crisp.
- Use a slotted spoon, remove okra from the pot and drain on a wire rack. Season it with additional salt, if desired. Serve with spicy vinegar dip.
- Drain the okra well, and Pat them dry to help the breading adhere well.
- Deep-fry at the optimal temperature of 350 F to 375 F. Too hot and the coating will burn before the okra is cooked; too low and it will absorb a lot more grease.
- Do not overcrowd the pan, and fry in batches as needed. Heat the oil back to 350 F before adding the next batch. Skim any stray pieces of food in the oil to prevent burning and darkening the oil.
- Don’t drain on paper towels as they absorb steam, turning deep-fried foods soggy. Instead, drain on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to catch oil drips.
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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Sauté aromatics (garlic, onion) until fragrant before adding liquids — it builds a deeper flavor base.
- Let meats rest after cooking so the juices redistribute for a more tender result.
- Filipino dishes are built on balance — taste your sauce before serving and add a pinch of sugar or a splash of vinegar if something feels off.
Cooking Tips
Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 350–375°F (175–190°C). If the oil is too cool, the food absorbs grease; too hot and it burns on the outside before cooking through.
Have all your ingredients prepped and measured before you start cooking — quick dishes leave no time for chopping mid-recipe.
Substitutions
Storage & Reheating
Crispy dishes are best enjoyed fresh — they lose their crunch when stored. If you must store leftovers, reheat in an air fryer or oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness.
Avoid microwaving crispy dishes — the steam makes the coating soggy. Use a toaster oven or stovetop skillet instead.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
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