hello and welcome!
I' m Nora Reyes
The cook and writer behind Recipes by Nora.
I live in Nutley, New Jersey with my husband and our four kids. I share Filipino recipes that are simple and made for real life - the kind of food many of us grew up eating at home.
Every recipe here is cooked and tested in my own kitchen, and many are dishes I make regularly for my family.
I studied culinary arts and spent years working in the food industry, but the kind of cooking I enjoy most is still simple food at home.
Through this site, I hope to help you reconnect with the Filipino dishes you grew up with and make them easier to cook wherever you live.
A little about me
I grew up in a Filipino-Chinese family in Naga City, Philippines. By the time I was seven, I was already helping cook adobo and going to the market for ingredients.
Cooking runs in my family. My grandparents owned a butchery, and my parents ran a small café and catering business.
Later, I studied culinary arts and business in Manila. After moving to the U.S., I worked in the food industry in New York City in training, consulting, and as a private chef.
Those experiences taught me a lot about food, but the kind of cooking I enjoy most is still the simple food I make at home for my family.
How Recipes by Nora began
I started blogging in 2013 while working with fondant cakes.
Over time, I began sharing more of the Filipino dishes I grew up with, and the blog gradually shifted in that direction.
Today I share classic and everyday Filipino recipes that are simple and practical to cook at home.
What You'll Find on Recipes by Nora
- Tried-and-True Recipes - These are the dishes I actually cook for my family - Filipino favorites, simple everyday meals, and classics we make again and again.
- Approachable and Easy to Follow - Recipes are written with simple steps, helpful tips, and step-by-step photos so they're easy to follow.
- Everyday Ingredients - Most recipes use ingredients you can find in regular grocery stores here in the U.S., with practical substitutions when needed.
- Filipino and Beyond - Most of the recipes are inspired by the Filipino flavors I grew up with. You'll also see other dishes I enjoy cooking at home.
Top 10 Recipes
- Pancit Canton with Ground Pork and Cabbage
- Suman Moron Recipe (Chocolate Sticky Rice Rolls)
- Adobong Tuyo Recipe (Dry Pork Adobo)
- Nilupak na Kamoteng Kahoy (Mashed Cassava Recipe)
- Adobong Talong with Giniling (Eggplant with Ground Pork)
- Sweet Potato Fritters (Maruya na Kamote)
- Adobong Bangus (Filipino Milkfish Adobo Recipe)
- Inutak Recipe (Filipino Sticky Rice Cake with Ube and Coconut Cream)
- Chicken and Pork Adobo with Potatoes and Eggs
- Traditional Kutsinta Recipe (Steamed in a Pan)
The man behind the camera
My husband Mark helps with the photos, videos, and technical side of the blog. He's a nurse by profession, but he's the one behind most of what you see here.
He has supported the blog from the beginning and encouraged me to start sharing my recipes online.
more about me....
Fun Facts
- I measure garlic with my heart.
- I make kid-friendly versions of most Filipino recipes so my kids will actually eat them.
- I usually shoot my food photos and videos at night, once the kids are asleep and the house is quiet.
What is Filipino food?
Filipino food is the kind of food we share at family gatherings and everyday meals at home.
Many dishes combine salty, sour, and sometimes a little sweetness. Where I grew up, we also cook a lot with coconut milk and chilies, so many dishes are creamy and a little spicy.
Filipino cooking has been influenced by Spanish, Chinese, and American cooking, but it is still very much its own.
If you'd like to learn more about it, you can read my Filipino Food for Beginners guide.
How authentic are your recipes?
Like most home cooks, I make food the way I learned growing up, along with what works in my kitchen today.
Many of my recipes are based on the dishes I grew up eating, but they may also reflect the ingredients available to me here in the U.S. and the way my family likes to eat.
My background in culinary training and years of cooking have shaped how I approach recipes, but I'm always learning and adjusting as I go.
How can I contact you?
I'd love to hear from you! You are welcome to send me a message by email at [email protected]. I read all of them and do my best to respond as soon as I can. I truly appreciate you taking the time to write. 💛
Disclaimer:
The recipes and information on this site are based on my personal experience and research and are shared for general information. Results may vary.
If you have health concerns or dietary needs, please consult a qualified professional.