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Your Filipino Kitchen's Secret Ingredient

Discover the heart and soul of the Philippines through our collection of authentic Filipino recipes. From beloved classics to hidden regional gems, Kusina Secrets is your gateway to mastering the art of Filipino food in your own kitchen.

Our collection celebrates the rich culinary heritage that makes Filipino cuisine so special: the perfect balance of sweet, sour and savory flavors that tell the story of our islands and people.

Our easy Filipino recipes will guide you through each step of creating memorable dishes that bring families together.

Popular Filipino Recipes

  • Puto Balanghoy (Filipino Steamed Cassava Cake)
    Puto Balanghoy (Filipino Steamed Cassava Cake)
  • Adobong Sitaw (Filipino String Bean Adobo)
    Adobong Sitaw (Filipino String Bean Adobo)
  • Grape Shake (Frozen Grape Smoothie)
    Grape Shake (Frozen Grape Smoothie)
  • Sinigang sa Pakwan (Watermelon Tamarind Beef Soup)
    Sinigang sa Pakwan (Watermelon Tamarind Beef Soup)
  • Filipino Lechon Kawali (Crispy Pork Belly)
    Filipino Lechon Kawali (Crispy Pork Belly)
  • Authentic Pancit Cabagan Recipe
    Authentic Pancit Cabagan Recipe
  • Chicken Sisig (Sizzling Filipino Chicken)
    Chicken Sisig (Sizzling Filipino Chicken)
  • Sinampalukang Kambing (Filipino Sour Goat Soup)
    Sinampalukang Kambing (Filipino Sour Goat Soup)

Delicious Main Dishes

  • Calamansi Chicken (Filipino-Style Citrus Chicken)
    Calamansi Chicken (Filipino-Style Citrus Chicken)
  • Carne Guisada Recipe (Filipino-Mexican Braised Beef Stew)
    Carne Guisada Recipe (Filipino-Mexican Braised Beef Stew)
  • Spanish-Style Sardines Bangus in Oil
    Spanish-Style Sardines Bangus in Oil
  • Singapore-Style Salted Egg Shrimp Recipe
    Singapore-Style Salted Egg Shrimp Recipe
See more Main Dishes →

Filipino Desserts

  • Drunk Santa Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Drunk Santa Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Baulo (Traditional Tausug Delicacy)
    Baulo (Traditional Tausug Delicacy)
  • Kalamay Hati Recipe (Filipino Coconut Sticky Rice Dessert)
    Kalamay Hati Recipe (Filipino Coconut Sticky Rice Dessert)
  • ## **The Story Behind Coco Jam** Coco jam, or "minatamis na bao" as it's known in the Philippines, has its roots deeply planted in Filipino culinary tradition spanning centuries. The name itself tells the story - "minatamis" means "to make sweet" and "bao" refers to coconut, though it literally translates to coconut shell. This sweet coconut spread emerged from the practical need to preserve the abundant coconut harvest that blessed the Philippine archipelago year-round. Long before refrigeration existed, Filipino families discovered that cooking fresh coconut cream with native palm sugar created a shelf-stable preserve that could last for weeks. This technique allowed them to enjoy the rich taste of coconut long after the fresh supply had been consumed. The slow cooking process not only preserved the coconut but transformed it into something even more delicious - a creamy, caramel-colored jam that became a household staple. Regional variations of coco jam exist throughout the Philippines, each with its own local twist. In the Visayas region, this same preparation is often called "soft latik," which can confuse newcomers to Filipino cuisine since "latik" also refers to the crispy coconut curds used as a topping. The Luzon provinces, particularly in areas like Bataan and Laguna where coconuts grow abundantly, have perfected the art of making coco jam as a daily breakfast companion. Traditional Filipino breakfast wouldn't be complete without freshly baked pandesal and a generous spread of homemade coco jam. This combination has nourished Filipino families for generations, providing the energy needed for long days of work while satisfying the Filipino palate's love for sweet flavors. The practice of making coco jam was typically passed down from grandmother to granddaughter, with each family guarding their own special techniques for achieving the perfect consistency and color. Today, while commercial versions of coco jam are readily available in Filipino grocery stores and even internationally, many families still prefer the homemade version for its superior taste and the satisfaction of continuing this cherished culinary tradition. The beauty of authentic coco jam lies in its simplicity - just two ingredients transformed through patience and care into a spread that captures the essence of Filipino comfort food.
    Coco Jam (Minatamis na Bao)
See more Desserts →

Filipino Street Food

  • Fresh strawberry taho with silky tofu and jam - authentic Filipino dessert ready in 5 minutes. Perfect sweet treat from Baguio!
    Fresh Strawberry Taho Recipe (5-Minute Filipino Dessert)
  • Balut (16 Days) - Traditional Filipino Street Food
    Balut (16 Days)
  • Banana Cue
    Banana Cue Recipe
  • Authentic Lokot-Lokot (Zamboanga Rolls)
    Authentic Lokot-Lokot (Zamboanga Rolls)
See more Street Food →

About Chef Maria

Meet Chef Maria, the talented owner of Kusina Secrets. With a passion for Filipino cooking that started in her grandmother's kitchen, Maria brings traditional recipes to life. Her recipes offer authentic flavors where every dish tells a story of Philippine culture. Chef Maria's goal is simple: to share her love of Filipino food while making everyone feel right at home.

Learn more about me →

Recent Recipes

  • Suman sa Lihiya (Filipino Rice Cake with Lye Water)
    Suman sa Lihiya (Filipino Rice Cake with Lye Water)
  • Fresh malunggay pesto pasta with spinach, cashews & vegan parmesan. Easy 22-minute Filipino-Italian fusion recipe. Nutritious & delicious!
    Malunggay Pesto Pasta Recipe
  • Ginisang Corned Beef
    Ginisang Corned Beef Recipe (Filipino Corned Beef Hash)
  • Perfect spiced rum white russian recipe with layered cream. Easy 5-minute cocktail with warm spices. Step-by-step guide from Lola's Kitchen.
    Spiced Rum White Russian Recipe

Recently Updated

  • Tamarind Chicken Adobo (Adobong Manok sa Sampalok)
    Tamarind Chicken Adobo (Adobong Manok sa Sampalok)
  • Chicken Igado
    Filipino Chicken Igado Recipe
  • Chicken Adobo ala Humba
    Chicken Adobo ala Humba Recipe
  • Grilled Chicken Adobo
    The Best Grilled Chicken Adobo

Maria, owner of Kusina Secrets

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Chef Maria, the owner of Kusina Secrets. I share my favorite Filipino recipes, making them easy for anyone to cook at home. I started this site to help people discover the delicious flavors of Filipino cooking, no matter where you are!

More about me

Recent

  • Creamy homemade horchata cold brew recipe with Mexican cinnamon rice milk. Easy overnight prep, budget-friendly coffee shop taste.
    Homemade Horchata Cold Brew Recipe
  • Kesong Puti (Filipino White Cheese)
    Kesong Puti Recipe (Filipino White Cheese)
  • Vietnamese Salted Coffee (Cà phê muối)
    Vietnamese Salted Coffee (Cà phê muối)
  • Ensaladang Mangga (Green Mango Salad)
    Ensaladang Mangga (Green Mango Salad)

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