Hello there! My name is Nora and welcome to my little space on the internet.
Naga city, a small town in the Southern part of the Philippines, was home until I moved to the US some 18 years ago. I have lived in New York and California, but New Jersey is where I am currently based with my husband, Mark, and our three beautiful boys. I have created Recipes by Nora as a way to celebrate my Filipino heritage through food. Filipino food is my comfort food, reminiscent of my childhood — good times and meals shared with family and friends. My style of cooking reflects my background, my formal training in Culinary Arts, and best of all, my experiences through trial and error. I hope you'll find recipes here that take you back or perhaps inspire you to try something new.
What exactly is Filipino food?
There is a lot of history in Filipino food. It has become a melting pot of different flavors from different cuisines. Contributions by the Spanish, Americans, Chinese, and Japanese are some of them. At its core, Filipino foods have elements of sweet, salty, and sour, sometimes all in one bite. Specific to the region where I grew up is using coconut milk and chilies in most dishes. To understand our food is to know our complex colonial past, diverse geography, and influences from neighboring countries in the South East.
How authentic are your recipes?
Just like any other cuisine, authenticity is subjective. My recipes here reflect my background, my ever-evolving taste and cooking style, and of course, the availability of ingredients around me.
How did you learn how to cook?
Growing up in a Chinese-Filipino household, I learned how to cook at a very young age. My mother taught me how to cook adobo at age 7, but my Filipino Pork Adobo has evolved by a long shot since then. My formal training in culinary arts, internships at restaurants, and trial and error allowed me to grow and be the cook that I am today. Just like in anything, learning never stops.
Who is the man behind the scenes?
Mark, my husband, is the photographer, videographer, and troubleshooter behind Recipes by Nora.
What camera do you use?
We are currently using two Sony A7Riii for videos and a Canon 5D Mark iii for photos.
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. If you don't hear from me, chances are, it went to spam, so please try resending the message again. I appreciate your time!
Disclaimer: Everything on this blog is written by me and is intended for informational purposes only. All recipes and other information are based on my tastes, experiences, and research with the intention of being as accurate as possible. Links will be provided for references when necessary. I shall not be held responsible or liable for errors or differences in circumstances. As with food and everything else, consume in moderation. When in doubt, always consult a medical professional for advice.