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Wednesday, April 28, 2021

"My Lola's Lumpia" by Kaitlin D

 

As a Filipino American, I encourage myself and others to embrace Filipino culture whether it is the white-sand beaches, traditional dances, family based community, or it’s MOUTHWATERING food. When someone makes food for you, it does not only mean that they show their appreciation and love for you, but they insist on you eating to prevent ANY kind of hunger. This describes my lola, otherwise known as my grandma. My lola is the most passionate, caring, and funniest person I know. We bond over fashion, food mukbangs, and more importantly, the production of her lumpia. Lumpia is a dish very similar to a spring roll as it holds savory fillings within its crisp, thin skin. You will always find it at a Filipino party alongside pancit (glass noodles), spaghetti, lechon (roasted whole pig), bar-b-que skewers, ice cream, and cake. As a child, I helped my lola wrap each individual lumpia, but never actually trusted myself enough to make the filling in fear that it would taste completely different. Recently, I have gotten over the fear and tried making it myself. The result is definitely worth the time put into it. This dish could be eaten as a meal with a side of rice or it could be eaten as you constantly go to the kitchen to “search for a snack.” After my seventeen years of living and trying lumpia made by different people, I am grateful enough to say that MY LOLA’S LUMPIA IS THE BEST. When I say this, I mean it with everything in me. After trying this recipe of my lola's Lumpiang Shanghai, it will convince you to never buy frozen or ready-made lumpia that is not this one. Now let’s get started!

 

Ingredients for Lumpia Filling:

2 pounds ground pork or chicken (your preference)

½ of a big onion

2 teaspoons black pepper

½ teaspoon salt

1 big carrot, minced

½ can of low sodium spam, cut into small cubes (secret ingredient, you’re welcome)

2 tablespoons soy sauce

3 eggs

2 packs lumpia wrappers (brand: Menlo - red packaging)

 

Ingredients To Seal the Wrapper:

½ cup water

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

 

To Fry: Vegetable or Canola oil (amount is dependent on how big your pan is)

 

Tools:

      Knife and chopping board

       to mince the carrots, onions and spam

      One big bowl

      to place all ingredients in (except the lumpia wrapper, water and flour)

      Measuring cups

      Measuring spoons

      Clean hands

      for mixing all ingredients together

 

Steps:

1)    Chop and mix all ingredients listed under “Lumpia Filling.”

a)     Tip: Mix with clean hands (adds more flavor)

2)    Create sealant using the flour and oil in a separate small bowl.

3)    Grab the Menlo lumpia wrappers and cut them in half diagonally.

a)     Should have multiple triangle-shaped wrappers

4)    Place about two tablespoons of your filling on the base of the triangle.

a)     Tip: Do not overfill the wrapper otherwise it will rip very easily

5)    Fold in both sides so that there are no air bubbles or meat being exposed.

6)    Roll upwards and dip two fingers in sealant mixture and rub on the last corner before rolling the lumpia completely.

7)    Put a small, deep pan on the stove to prepare for frying.

8)    On a medium fire, fill the pan up to a little less than half way with oil.

9)    Fill the base of the pan with lumpias allotting space in between them to avoid sticking together.

10) Fry until golden brown.

 

Then you are done! Enjoy with a side of sweet and sour sauce or my favorite, Datu Puti Vinegar (can be found at Seafood City or any Filipino market)! I hope this recipe has given you insight into how good Filipino food is. Growing up, I would bring my favorite Filipino dishes to school and there would always be someone asking “What is that?” with a disgusted expression. If you try any recipe, especially this one, please be open to other cultures and what they have to offer. Hope you guys love it!

 



(Image from: food52.com)

 

 

46 comments:

  1. I LOVED how you described your Lola in the beginning! Filipino grandmothers are always the best! At any of my own family gatherings, lumpia is the first food I fill my plate with! I will definitely need to try this recipe; all of the ingredients sound like they blend so well together! Thank you for sharing!

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  2. I have ALWAYS wanted to try making lumpia because it always sounds soo good! I'm so glad you shared your family recipe with us because I know how special it is to you. I can't wait to try it!

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  3. Kaitlin this sounds delicious!! I haven't ever tried Lumpia but this recipe and your story makes me want to! It's so special to see how you were able to reflect back on the time you spent with your Lola in the kitchen! Great job! - Samantha Galarza

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  4. I love how you are paying tribute to your own filipino culture and sharing this amazing recipe with the rest of us! I cannot wait to try to cook this! It tastes already so delicious just by your mere descriptions so I doubt that anyone would not like it by their first taste! Thank you so much for sharing this!!

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  5. These sound so good, I really want to try them one day
    Thank you for telling us about your lola, she sounds like a truly lovely person

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  6. Lumpia is so GOOD!! Thank you for sharing your recipe it looks really straightforward and I can tell you took to your time including all the steps, tools, and ingredients that are required to make this dish!! GREAT JOB!!!

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  7. This recipe looks delicious!! It was fascinating to also read about the other food found at a Filipino party, and the close relationship you have with your grandma.

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  8. I have never tried Lumpia but I def will now. Sounds really good. It is awesome to hear that you have these special moments with your lola.

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  9. I love that this dish is special to you because you helped make it with your grandma and it looks SO GOOD. I don't know if I would be able to make this myself but I'd love to try haha

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  10. I absolutely loved how you described your grandmother!it was so beautiful! and by the way this receipe sounds DELICIOUS!

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  11. William James Smith IIIMay 5, 2021 at 9:06 AM

    William James Smith III:

    I can totally relate to where you come from as my mom is Filipino, and I interact a lot with Filipino culture as I have been to the Philippines 5 times, and I am really close with my relatives. I greatly agree that there are many nice things in Filipino Culture, I am not too into the food, partially as I am vegetarian, and most of the food is not vegetarian. Also, I do feel that the food can be really good if you are raised eating it, but I kinda wasn't. I want to focus on the positive though, because I really am fond with like 99% of everything else about the Filipino Culture.

    One of the first things I liked about it was that the culture is family oriented. There are many other cultures that have gatherings for the family, but family is one of the first priorities of the culture! I always know that if something bad happened to my immediate family, then I would never be alone. My mom has like 30 plus cousins, as my grandmother had 9 siblings. I have many safety nets, including my cousin's family with my aunt (tita) and uncle (tito). My cousins are some of the closest friends I have, and I probably would trust them with my life. Even if you don't know all of the family well, or you are living in the U.S., you will still be accepted. My grandparents bought a house for my mom's cousins because something bad happened, and I am not sure exactly what happened, but simply because they are part of the family, my grandfather supported them. When I go to the Philippines, I am accepted by them as though I live there, even though I don’t know half of their names, so I am just polite as possible lol. Family is more than just a word in Filipino Culture, but an emphasis greater than really anything else.

    I also feel that the culture is education and child friendly. The next thing that comes after family is education. Everyone supports each other to get an education to be successful. Patience and delayed gratification, as well as doing good in school is greatly celebrated.

    There are many more good things about Filipino culture, but I am running out to space, and I would like to keep it short and sweet. Besides the food, which really is just opinion, the positivity found in Filipino culture can’t be denied, and I am glad to be a part of it!

    William.



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  12. Richelle MendozaMay 5, 2021 at 9:13 AM

    Lumpia is sooo delicious! I'm amazed that you built up the courage to make it by yourself, it's not easy! Thank you for sharing the recipe so many more people can taste how good lumpia is!

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  13. Michaiah StanfordMay 5, 2021 at 9:31 AM

    Thank you for sharing your recipe how to make lumpia. I was glad to read how you also bonded with your Lola with recipe. As a fellow Filipina I have always eaten lumpia at family gatherings but never have tried to make one. So I will definitely be trying out this recipe soon.

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  14. I have never had lumpia that wasn't delectable! Thank you for telling us where to get some of the specific ingredients and I'm definitely going to have to crash a family gathering sometime and try your Lola's! -Evan Nguyen

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  15. Angelina MartinezMay 5, 2021 at 11:52 PM

    Ooo I've always wanted to try lumpia but have never had the chance it looks and sounds really good. I like how you incorporated specific reasons why this food is close to your heart and your relationship with your Lola. I've made egg rolls with my grandma and I can definitely relate to not trusting myself to roll them haha. Great job!

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  16. This looks delicious love the layout of the instructions im going to have to try this one day-Malachi Hawkins

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  17. I really enjoyed how you described why you love these and your relationship with your lola since it shows how these aren't just any simple food to you. I would love to try these because the recipe looks so amazing!

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  18. Ashley InocencioMay 7, 2021 at 1:19 PM

    Kaitlin!!! These are so bomb. I love the way you shared one of our traditional recipes from our culture. Thank you for sharing your relationship with your Lola. Also, I miss you <3.

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  19. I've only ever eaten lumpia a couple of times when my Filipino friends have made it for me, but it's SO good! Every time they've made it for me, I've ended up eating like 12 pieces. I love how you made this more than just a recipe though. You talked about your love for cooking and how your lola always helped you in the kitchen. It's such a beautiful thing to bond over that and get to create something that tastes really good in the process!

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  20. The description of your Lola was so sweet and lovely to read. I like how you made sure to add some background for why the recipe means so much to you. Also, these sound really good and I might have to make it!!

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  21. I love how clear your instructions were and your introduction was so well-written! These look (and sound) very good!

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  22. This is a Filipino go-to dish and I appreciate you sharing your family's recipe. I'll definitely have to give this one a try.

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  23. I have always seen lumpia being eaten around me since I grew up around a lot of Filipino Americans. I am a very picky eater and never had the courage to try them but after seeing this recipe I just might have to make them. Thank you for sharing this recipe and about your Lola :)

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  24. Enrico Del RosarioMay 9, 2021 at 3:00 PM

    This is why you're the VP of FCC...you are so enthusiastic about sharing our culture with others, and your passion is honestly contagious. I WANT TO MEET YOUR LOLA NOW OMGGGG. Salamat sa bagong recipe! Ninakawan ko😅👍🏽 JK JK. I LOVE YOU BAE!!! Thank you so much for sharing this with the world 😊

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  25. This past year I have been blessed enough to have embraced more of Filipino cuisine and culture because of my girlfriend and I do not know what I would do if I never got to experience the sheer deliciousness of Filipino food! I loved how you explained your back round and family, especially your Lola! Thank you for spreading the word out about lumpia because out of every Filipino food, lumpia and pancit are my favorite!

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  26. Caitlyn Jane BasaMay 9, 2021 at 8:13 PM

    Being a Filipina, I grew up on these 24/7. Everyone I introduce this to can eat tons in one sitting... its just THAT good. I absolutely love how this was your lola's recipe! There's nothing better than having a recipe that can be passed down by generation to generation. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I'm definitely going to have to try this one day!

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  27. I love the introduction to this recipe; it was such a sweet tribute to your grandmother and the importance this recipe holds in your family! Thank you for sharing this with us it sounds delicious!

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  28. I really love how you shared your lola's recipe and the connection that is between you both. I can relate your blog entry to my grandmother and I's relationship when it comes to cooking in the kitchen. This is one of the main ways that grandparents and grandchildren bond. You did an amazing job!

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  29. Woowww these look so good!!!!! I want to try making these but I would probably fail HA. Thank you so much for sharing a piece of your culture with us!!!

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  30. Kaitlyn EdmundsonMay 10, 2021 at 5:47 PM

    I love lumpia so much and have always wanted to try making it. I really like how you were able to connect with your Lola over making this dish.

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  31. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for sharing this recipe. I loved reading about how close you and your lola are :))) Lumpia is definitely my favorite Filipino food and as much as I want to attempt to make this, I am terrified of failing HAHAH. So one day I would love to try it from the legend herself, I know for a fact she doesn't disappoint.

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  32. Yes! I love Lumpia as a fellow Filipino myself. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and maybe I can try to make this certain recipe one day! Thank you again!

    ~Kayla Macasinag

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  33. Thank you for showing this recipe, it sounds so good and I loved how you related it to your grandma and the meaning behind the recipe.

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  34. Charmaine LucianoMay 11, 2021 at 2:25 AM

    OMG I love lumpia but I never thought that spam would ever be in it so this is really unique! I can confirm that your Lola makes some pretty yummy lumpias! Must try some more, thanks for this recipe :) -Charmaine Luciano

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  35. Andrew AbdulkarimMay 11, 2021 at 5:53 AM

    I have never heard of lumpia but it genuinely looks so good and I would love to make some. Thank you for clearly laying out the ingredients and making the steps easy to follow. Great Job!

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  36. Beautiful description about your lola and great detail about how to make lumpia. Lumpia is one of my favorite Filipino dishes and it's one of my go to dishes so overall great job

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  37. I love the background behind your recipe! I think it makes it even more special knowing that behind this bomb recipe is your sweet, loving grandma. I can’t wait to try it!

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  38. This sounds so yummy! Thank you so much for sharing! Lumpia is one of my favorites and I can't wait to try your lola's version!!! :)

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  39. I love the touching background you provided for the recipe, it was very heartwarming to read! Thank you for sharing a piece of who you are!

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  40. I have been WAITING for the day for someone to have a blog post on Lumpia because its literally THE BEST. THANK YOU for sharing your Lola’s recipe because it probably is the best recipe for lumpia! I usually say on all these post that I will try their recipe, but never end up doing it, but I am ACTUALLY going to try this recipe this time! - Laura Clark

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  41. I have always loved Filipino food and Lumpia is one of my all time favs...besides adobo chicken of course lolll !!! Thank you so much for sharing your background and this recipe I know your lola is proud !!!!<3<3

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  42. I really liked your introduction to this piece with how you explained how special this recipe is to you since it was one of the many things you and your lola bonded over. I've never tried lumpia with spam inside so I will definitely have to try these.

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  43. I love recipes that are related to a family member or recipes that have been passed down, this is just an example of how lovely it is to have a good family who can cook good food.

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  44. OOOOO these look so good, I really wanna try these out with my mom because we love to cook together. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us :)

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  45. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I love how you included an intro to your recipe and how you explained the history of this recipe you have within your family. These look amazing I will definitely attempt to make these!

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  46. I loved this!!! Lumpia is literally so delicious and i was always curious about how it was made. I love learning about your family tradition and passion. Thank you for sharing!

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