Turon (Philippine cuisine)

The other day the kids and I stopped by at one of the local filipino market/store and at the check out she had some fresh turons that I couldn't resist in buying a few of them. Of course, the kids and I ate them right away when we got in the car and they were gone before we drive out of the parking lot! Their just Divine goodness!

The next day when I went to the store to pick up a few things I couldn't help but picking up a few plantain to see if I can make them at home. They aren't as good as what they had at the store..but almost. This evening Connor ate his down in no time flat. Took some to my parents and Quinn said they were perfect. So that's a good start for a first timer. :)

What you will need is:
- white sugar
- large ripe plantain bananas, sliced lengthwise thick
- lumpia wrappers
- water and corn starch (you could just plain water or 1 egg, lightly beaten)
- hot oil
- caramel (you could also you, chocolate, powder sugar, etc)


First cut the plantains lengthwise. Then roll them into your white sugar.


Them place it on the wrapper just like you would could lumpia. And start to fold. Fold the portion of the wrapper nearest you over the filling until just covered. Turn the wrapper again to enclose the banana securely. Moisten the left and right hand edges of the wrapper with your "glue" that you will use (water, egg, or corn starch).


Fold over the corners and press down firmly to seal, making an envelope. Seal firmly. Set aside..and repeat with remaining slices


Heat oil in a pan or wok. Place the turons at a time in the hot oil seal side down first. Fry until crisp and golden. Remove with a skimmer and drain on paper towels.

Drizzle with your favorite topping, ours was caramel sauce...Eat and ENJOY!

Making Some Lumpia (Filipino)

At least once a month I get in the mood to make Lumpia. Which is a staple snack that I try to keep in the freezer at all times. Sometimes, it's gone before we know it and we are "in desperate need of a lumpia fix"

Making the filling which is the easy part, it's simple as cooking some ground beef or pork in onions, garlic, carrots, and seasoning with fish sauce (or soy sauce), salt and pepper. Other fillings you can include ground turkey, bean sprouts or water chestnuts, anything really. You can even skip the meat altogether and make them veggie lumpias-the possibilities are really endless.


You'll need lumpia wrappers. I found these in the frozen section at our local Asian grocery store, and chose this particular brand because they looked familiar to me and its the first thing I have picked when I first started making them myself. Just make sure they're square. Thaw them overnight or a couple of hours in the refrigerator or on the counter.(the stack will still be pretty firm even when thawed), and carefully peel them apart before rolling and do not let them tear. Keep your stack of wrappers between two damp paper towels to keep them from drying out while you roll.
After the filling has cooled completely, scoop a tablespoon on to the wrappers, rectangular mound just below the middle/bottom of the wrapper. Don't do too much filling. These are Lumpias not Eggrolls. :)

Carefully roll the lumpia and keeping the filling compact and making sure the wrapper is tight. Pull the sides across the top so that the lumpia resembles an open envelope. Once you do 2-3 of them you'll be a pro. It's very simple. Just keep them tight and you'll be fine.



Roll the lumpia once more until just the edge is exposed and brush the edge with the glue. (mix corn starch and water together to make the glue - note to not make it pasty, but little watery like)

Then when your all done rolling all of them that you want/need. Or if you freeze them you will let them thaw out. At this point you can either pan fry them or pull out your handily fry daddy. It's up to you. If you pan fry them, start by placing the seam side down to avoid the lumpia from opening in the pan. I have tried both and they both seem to work just fine. Fry till golden brown...not burnt. :) And place on a paper towel.


That's about it. Go have fun and make lots of Lumpia...because before you know it they'll be gone!! Everyone will love them and love you for making them!! Enjoy!