Philippines
5 recipes to explore
Chicken Adobo
The Philippines' best-loved dish: chicken thighs braised in vinegar, soy sauce, lots of garlic, bay leaves and black peppercorns until tender, then seared until glossy and caramelised and served over garlic rice with the reduced sauce.
Mango Banana Oat Smoothie
A thick, naturally sweet smoothie made with ripe Philippine mango, banana and softened oats, best served in a small cup alongside solid breakfast foods like toast or eggs rather than as a stand-alone drink. The fruit does all the sweetening — no added sugar needed — but keep it as an occasional extra rather than a daily breakfast staple.
Fruity Mango Chia Pudding
A make-ahead chia pudding with a light swirl of mango and banana puree. It's an occasional treat best served alongside a meal, not on its own as a snack, so portions stay small and the natural fruit sugar stays in check. A soft, spoonable treat little ones can help make.
Papaya & Yogurt Smoothie
Sweet ripe papaya blended smooth with plain yogurt and milk, a creamy, calcium-rich drink that Filipino kids love for breakfast or merienda. No sugar is added, but blending still releases the fruit's natural sugars, so for under-5s this is best offered with a meal, in a small portion, and kept as an occasional treat rather than an everyday drink — whole fruit is still the best everyday choice.
Sardine Fried Rice Bites (Filipino Sinangag with Sardines)
Golden little rice bites studded with mashed sardines, bursting with omega-3 and calcium from the soft bones — a Filipino breakfast favourite shrunk down for small hands to grab and dip.