Karima Magazine Sep-Oct 2017

RED ORCHIDS RESTAURANT
Filipino Cuisine at its Best by Mariel Toni Jimenez, J.D., LL.M.
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ALKING INTO RED ORCHIDS reminds
me of the eateriesin Manila, Philippines.
Depending on what day it is, the
smells of the dishes are sure to catch your nose—
Pancit, Lumpia, Rice, Bbq Pork, Adobo, Pinakbet,
Sinigang, Ginataan, Biko, Maja Blanco, and more are
just a few of its meal offerings.
Red Orchids is the only Filipino Buffet style
restaurant in the San Joaquin Central Valley. Located in
Stockton, California at 126 E. Market Street, owner Tina
Zuniga and her daughters, Ann and Cheryl help out
manning the front of the house, and a kitchen crew man
the back of the house.
Filipino food is a cross between Spanish,
Chinese, South East Asia and indigenous cooking. With
the two-hundred years of the Spanish conquering the
Philippines and even before the trade route that was
established before the Philippines was even called
Philippines, it was a group of islands ruled by chiefs,
sulatans or datus and consisted of different tribes.
My favorite dishes for review are: Kare-Kare
Pancit Luglug, and Ginataang Halo-Halo.
Kare-Kare
A dish that comes from the region Luzon,
particularly Pampanga, also coined as the Culinary
capital and is known for, is also said to be a regal dish
that of the Moro elite before the Spanish arrival.
According to Wiki, it could also have been from
Indian soldiers who settled in the Philippines during
British Invasion.
Moro’s are indigenous to the Philippines, and
their presence dates back to the 13th-14th century
Arab traders who settled and established religion and
kingdoms around the Philippine archipelago, two
hundred years before the rule of Spain.
Although, a simple dish when looked at,
the preparation is extensive, and takes time. Thus,
Kare-kare is usually served during festivities or special
occasions. Once completed, the cook must have made it
to impress royalty. The word Kare-kare originated from
the ingredient Curry.
The oxtail, beef and tripe are cut, prepped,
and simmered to tender for hours. Peanuts is roasted