Lumpia Shanghai and Pork BBQ
Posted in Appetizers, Filipino Food, Main Course on April 15th, 2009 by Van SantosYears ago I discovered a local Filipino store that specializes in import food items – rice, fruit and drinks. In the back of this tiny store is a kitchen that happens to serve authentic home made items and they are fantastic. Healthy? Yea, guessing not, but some of food that really hits the spot.
I had intended on making a quick salmon dish this evening but my sudden and uncontrollable urge for Lumpia took over. I thought I would share that urge with you.
What is Lumpia Shanghai?
Lumpia Shanghai (Lumpia for short) is, essentially, a mini egg roll roughly 4 inches in length filed with beef or pork, egg, carrots and various spices. These little guys are deep fried to sinful perfection and usually served with sweet and sour sauce (which I usually pass on). I find the addition of carrots in the roll to be sweet enough for me.
There are a number of versions of Lumpia, usually tied to the country and region of origin. I would actually consider this food item to be the ideal finger food. Just remember to a napkin around as your fingers are bound to get greasy.
Pork BBQ
Anyone who has exposure to Filipino food will know there seems to be a certain affinity for all things pork. From open pit, full roasted, pigs to skewers, Filipino BBQ pork is quite enjoyable. No, I didn’t pick up a fully roasted pig, I opted for the skewers.
These little guys are marinated in Soy sauce, with sugar, garlic and lemon juice. Usually, the pork is BBQed (as noted by the name) but can also be prepared under a broiler. It is very important that you continue to move/turn the skewers until cooked to your liking because pork can be easily overcooked. If one wants to really add flavor to the mix, change out the sugar for brown sugar.
Lumpia Shanghai and Pork BBQ just begging for you to eat them!
While store purchased Lumpia Shanghai and Pork BBQ hits the spot, if it fresh, the real challenge will be when I decide to take these on in my own kitchen. It may be some time until that happens as I have a number of other things I would like to get to first, but I will definitely post my adventure once it takes place.
Related posts:
I could sooooooo go for this right now…
yum, love filipino food…had a good friend in high school who was filipino and always ate great stuff at his house…his mom made great lumpia
but how’s this for a story:
was once in some town somewhere in the bay area I was not familiar with…needed lunch…spotted a little hole in the wall filipino restaurant…nothing in english in the menu….
asked what the special was…was told “you don’t want that.” I was a white girl and they didn’t think I could handle it…I said, no tell me…I love new stuff…
it was pig intestines in some sort of stew which I proceeded to order and it was HEAVENLY!!!
yeah, I’m an adventurous eater!!
Fantastic! I love adventerous eating myself, chicken feet, brain tacos, fermented raw pork skin, bring it on.
Seriously, these things are TO DIE FOR. The Lumpia is fantastic. Truly. The carrots really add the touch.
I’ve had the pig intestines dish you speak of but I cannot remember the name. Once I got past my hesitation (a total mental block) I enjoyed it. All that said, I am really not an adventurous eater… I know that limits me…
Brain tacos? Yea… Hmmmm… I dunno.
I’ve never had Filipino food before, but I’ve been dying to try it since I saw Spryte (sprytesplace.blogspot.com) make lumpia. It just looks so good. And I’m always down with some bbq pork. Heh.
Thanks for the Spryte blog, Bob. I’ll take a look at them later this evening. You need to have the food at a Filipino restaurant first – then try to make. The taste can be very unique!
Wow Gianna! I think you found your food counterpart in JT! I am moderately adventurous but I must admit I was slightly repulsed at the first thought of eating pig intestines that you spoke of, but that said, I used to eat fish heads and eyes for the longest time as a kid until I realized that it was they fish’s EYES! The lesson learned here is if I am not aware of what I am eating, I am more likely to try it. Kudos to you on your natural sense of adventure though! I am jealous…