Come to Kumare! Filipino Restaurant + Bakery

Assorted Kumare baked goods & pastries

Being a Filipina and a food blogger, I am expected to know all of the local Filipino restaurants and bakeries in town. Well, I'm getting there;)

Today was my first visit to Richmond's Kumare Restaurant + Bakery and I was lucky to meet the General Manager, Tita Mary Loa.  She was tending the front of the house and was gracious to give me a brief history of the year-old restaurant.

Did you know: Kumare, is a term of endearment for Filipinas among close female friends and kumpare is used among males. 

Kumare's dining area

Tita Mary emphasized that Kumare aims to set a higher standard for Philippine dining by having an in-house bakery and offering a made-to-order menu in a friendly, clean and modern setting. A refreshing approach from what's normally associated with Filipino restaurants.

Tita Mary with the Buko Pie

Ube Macapuno Cake

Tita Mary introduced me to their specialities, buko (young coconut) pie and ube macapuno (purple yam and sweetened young coconut) cake, both baked from scratch by her daughter, Margaret (also known as Joy).  

Kumare Empanadas

I was then drawn to their empanadas sitting on top of the dessert display. Mounds of golden, flaky meat turnovers, generously filled with your choice of pork or chicken. After exchanging contact information, in hopes to get a chance to make a "foodieo" with Joy creating one of her signature desserts, I ordered half a dozen empanadas to go.

Empanadas are the perfect snack on the go!

Kumare is conveniently located by Richmond Centre and the Brighouse Skytrain station with ample free parking. I will definitely come back, bringing my family and friends. Like me, I know they'll enjoy Kumare's warm and inviting atmosphere while eating delicious Filipino food that come in generous portions at reasonable prices.

Kumare Restaurant + Bakery
8130 Park Road
Richmond, BC  V6Y 1T1

Recap: 2012 Philippine Days Festival!

This recap video is a whirlwind snapshot of a two-day Philippine Days Festival celebration held at the Waterfront Park in North Vancouver on June 9-10, 2012. Hosted by MV-PACES (Metro Vancouver Philippine Arts & Culture Exposition Society) and generously sponsored by Globe Telecom & Duty Free Philippines.

Commemorating the 114th Philippine Independence Day, we got to experience the delicious array of Filipino specialities including empanadas, chicharon bulaklak, pancit, lumpia, BBQ meat skewers and so much more. There were talented dancing and singing performances that would have impressed the toughest of IDOL judges. 

To end the festivities, Philippines hottest superstar sensations, Nikki Gil and Billy Crawford, captivated hundreds of screaming fans with their enchanting voices, dance moves, humour and charisma. An outstanding performance we were thrilled to have seen.

We look forward to next year's Philippine Days Festival and hope you will join us in the party! Mahbuhay!

Win VIP FOOD Passes to Philippines Days Festival!

You have a chance to win VIP FOOD passes to the Philippines Days Festival on June 9 & 10, 2012.  Simply click "ATTEND" on this Philippines Days Facebook event page and you will be entered to WIN VIP food passes to freely taste the delicious food from all the participating vendors. Hosted by Metro Vancouver Philippine Arts & Culture Exposition Society (MV-PACES), this newly extended celebration will commemorate the 114th Philippines Independence Day.  You will enjoy an array of international cuisine and Filipino delicacies, multicultural shows and stage presentations, fab raffle prizes, giveaways and games. Please spread the word as everyone is invited to enjoy our friendly Pinoy culture. Mabuhay! Philippines Days Saturday June 9; Sunday June 10, 2012 10am-6pm Waterfront Park 200-Block West Esplanade North Vancouver, BC (beside the seabus terminal)

It's More Fun in the Philippines!

 It is more fun in the Philippines! A fitting new slogan heralded by the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) to express the country's core strengths, it's fun-loving Filipino people.  The Lonely Planet guidebook described Filipinos as "among the most easygoing and cheerful people anyway", and I agree!

Entering EAT! Vancouver, a 3-day food and cooking festival, I was greeted with friendly signs inviting delegates to visit the Philippines booth. Of course, I b-lined straight there and was warmly approached by Rene R. Delas Santos and staff members from San Francisco's PDOT.  

The booth showcased large photos of Philippines' breathtakingly colourful landscape, staff promoting the country's exotic sights and activities, yummy treats for sampling, and a professional kitchen ready for a cooking show. 

We soon got a quick lesson on lumpia shanghai (spring rolls) by, Albert Rivera, top chef and winner of the 2012 Kulinarya Filipino cooking showdown. I tried his lumpia, dipped with his homemade, sweet and tangy banana ketchup sauce. Masarup! 

It's exciting to see the event delegates toting bright green Philippines bags and buzzing about the country's alluring sights and food.  PDOT did a wonderful job representing what the Philippines has to offer and it makes me proud to be a Filipina!

Candice's Cusina @ Philippines Days Festival!

Philippines Days

Saturday June 9; Sunday June 10, 2012
10am-6pm
Waterfront Park 200-Block West Esplanade
North Vancouver, BC

(beside the seabus terminal)

I'm so excited to announce that yours truly, is the official blogger for the 2012 Philippine Day Festival! Hosted by Metro Vancouver Philippine Arts & Culture Exposition Society (MV-PACES), this newly extended 2-day celebration will be held on June 9-10, 2012 at the Waterfront Park in North Vancouver.

Did you know: Philippine Days celebrates the day the country was declared independent on June 12 in 1898 under the revolutionary forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo. It was also the day that unfurled the national flag of the Philippines.

After visiting Philippine Day Festival for the first time in 2010, I observed not only the patriotic gathering of thousands of Filipinos but many other cultural minorities came to be part of the festivities. There was a wide array of booths featuring delicious Filipino delicacies, international delights and merchandise. The centre stage was booming with musical talent, dances, raffel prizes and presentations highlighting the Filipino heritage.

I learned that Philippine Days is considered the 2nd largest community event held at the Waterfront Park, next to Caribbean Festival, drawing over 12,000 people last year. Kuya Alvin, President of MV-PACES announced that the 2012 festival's theme will show honour and respect to our Seniors, the Aged, our Veterans and Elders.

Director Robert Tongko, the front man who has organized the celebration's program for the past seven years, will be introducing a new addition Senior Moments. Weaving in the theme, this special event feature will include the search for the Senior Idol singing champion - a fantastic opportunity to exhibit local talent!

Direk Tongko encourages all Filipino families and attendees to bring your elders, seniors, veterans of 65 years or older on Sunday, June 10 as they will be given an honoree ribbon with a reserved front-row seat to watch the stage presentations. So bring your family and friends with empty stomaches to eat, dance and enjoy one of the largest Filipino community events in Vancouver this year.

If you spot Candice (me!) in the festival, be sure to say "hi" and be featured on the Philippine Day "Camera".  Look forward to seeing you there!!

Easy Veggie Bibimbap!

I was first introduced and quickly taken by this classic Korean dish while visiting a good friend in Seoul. She raved about this meal that is served pipping hot in a hot stone bowl carrying a warm bed of rice, topped with sauteed vegetables, fried egg and chili sauce.  

The presentation was beautiful with all the ingredients neatly separated so you have the joy of mixing them up together. This dish packs tasty, full flavours with a fun and whimsical name, Bibimbap! 

Did you know: Bibimbap means "mixed meal" or "mixed rice" in Korean. So fitting;)

Only enjoying Bibimbap in restaurants, I tried cooking it after work last week and happy to report - it's quick and easy to whip up this bountiful bowl of goodness!

This recipe is just a guideline as Bibimbap is eminently versatile and do encourage you to incorporate leftovers. Soon you'll have a delicious, healthy and cost-effective meal in minutes.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups brown rice

5 cups baby spinach

2 1/4 tsp vegetable oil

2 carrots, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks

3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

4 scallions, thinly sliced

1 cup shiitake or oyster mushrooms (dried or fresh), trimmed and thinly sliced

1 English cucumber, cut into thin matchsticks

2 tbsp soy sauce

4 large eggs

4 tsp toasted sesame oil

Sriracha sauce, for serving 

Preparation:

1. In a medium pot, cook brown rice according to package instructions.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, bring 2 cups of water to a boil over high.  Add spinach and cook, stirring constantly until wilted, about 30 seconds; drain. When cool enough to handle, squeeze dry with paper towel.

3. Wipe out skillet, heat 1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and cook until crisp and tender, 3 minutes. Add garlic & scallions and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add mushrooms and cook 4 minutes. Add cucumber and cook until softened, 3 minutes. Add spinach and soy sauce and stir to combine. Transfer vegetables to a bowl and wipe out skillet.

4. Heat 1/4 tsp vegetable oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add eggs, reduce heat to medium, and cook until whites are set and yolks are still runny, about 5 minutes.

5. Divide rice among 4 bowls; top with vegetables and eggs. Drizzle each with sesame oil, sprinkle with reserved scallion and serve with Sriracha sauce.

Try this: Add beef or tofu to your Bibimbap. I like to marinate the beef and/or tofu with soy sauce, minced ginger, garlic and sesame oil for 20 minutes prior to sautéing. Yummers!!

Recipe from Everyday Food 

Afritada (Pork Tomato Stew)

My Mom recently lent me one of her favorite go-to cookbooks, "Let's Cook with Nora". Published in 1969, it's a compilation of Filipino, Chinese and European dishes written by a Filipina, Nora V. Daza.

Reading over 300+ recipes, I found one of my childhood comfort foods, afridata! Afridata is a Spanish influenced homestyle dish with braised pork and/or chicken and fresh vegetables bathed in a garlicky rich tomato-sauce. Yummers!! So here's Nora's recipe with a Candice's Cusina twist - pan fried potatoes.

Did you know: Nora Daza, known as the Julia Child of the Philippines, opened up "Au Bon Vivant" in the 1960s, and it was the first authentic French restaurant in the Philippines.

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, diced medium
  
• 5-7 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium red pepper, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
• 4 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 lb pork chop, 1/2-inch cubed pieces
  
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1/8 cup bread crumbs
• 4 medium potatoes, sliced into wedges
• salt & pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Heat a pan to medium high then add 2 tbsp of vegetable oil. Saute onion until translucent, 2 minutes. Add garlic and tomatoes, cook for another 2 minutes.
2. In another pan, heat to medium high and add 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Add potato wedges and pan fry for 10-12 minutes, constantly turning wedges until all sides are golden brown. Salt & pepper to taste
3. Add pork and vinegar then let boil for 2-3 minutes. Then add tomato sauce, chicken stock and brown sugar to pork mixture, cook for another 4 minutes. Salt & pepper to taste.
   
4. When the pork is tender, add the red peppers bread crumbs to help thicken the sauce. Cook for 5 more minutes.
5. Remove from heat and serve afritada with the fried potato wedges. Masarup!!

Try this: Replace pork with chicken breast then add carrots and peas!