Chef RV Recipes Recipes

Chef RV Manabat–inspired mains, snacks, and desserts—Filipino favourites with clear steps, big flavours, and party-ready options.

Intro

A curated hub for Chef RV Manabat classics—Filipino favourites, bakery-style treats, and easy weeknight winners. Expect crisp-and-juicy fried dishes, creamy crowd-pleasers, and rice/noodle staples with step-by-step methods. Whether you call these family recipes, home-style Filipino cooking, or TV-inspired comfort food, you’ll find mains, snacks, and desserts that scale well for potlucks and parties. Use the Quick Picks to jump straight to hero dishes, the Make-Ahead & Storage chart to plan smarter, and the Compare Popular Options table to choose by time, skill, and holding quality.

Quick Picks

Make-Ahead & Storage

ItemFridgeFreezerReheat/Serve Tips
Crispy Lumpiang Shanghai with Cheesy Twist1–2 days (unfried, covered)2–3 months (unfried)Fry from frozen at 175–180°C; vent on rack for lasting crunch.
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip2 days (par-baked)2 months (par-baked)Blast at 220°C 8–12 min; toss in warm sauce to finish.
No-Bake Easy Tiramisu with Coffee & Cream2–3 daysNot idealKeep covered; dust cocoa just before serving.
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Butter Cookies7–10 days2–3 monthsStore airtight; refresh 2–3 min at 150°C if needed.
Chef RV’s Flavor-Packed Java Rice3–4 days1 monthReheat covered with a splash of water; fluff and re-season.
Crispy Prawn Tempura with Dipping SauceBest freshNot idealHold briefly in a 95–100°C oven on a rack; avoid steaming.

Compare Popular Options

Dish/ItemTimeSkillMake-aheadBest with / Notes
Lumpiang Shanghai45–60 minIntermediate★★★★★Fry from frozen; serve with spiced cane vinegar.
Buffalo Wings45–60 minIntermediate★★★★☆Par-bake then finish hot; blue cheese or sesame dip.
Thai Fish Cakes35–40 minIntermediate★★☆☆☆Best fresh; sweet chilli and herbs for brightness.
Prawn Tempura25–30 minIntermediate★☆☆☆☆Maintain oil heat; serve immediately with tentsuyu.
Palabok60–75 minIntermediate★★★☆☆Sauce can be made ahead; assemble just before serving.

Techniques That Matter

  • Double-cook for crunch: Par-bake or first-fry to render moisture, then finish hot for shatter-crisp results.
  • Cornstarch + baking powder dredge yields aerated, crackly crusts on chicken and seafood.
  • Chill and dry: Keep rolled lumpia cold and uncovered 15–20 minutes to dry wrappers before frying.
  • Emulsify sauces off-heat (butter/garlic, peanut, teriyaki) to keep them glossy and clingy.
  • Starch your noodles right: Rinse and toss with a little oil; combine with palabok sauce at the last minute.
  • Use racks, not paper towels to drain fried items and preserve texture.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

  • Soggy lumpia → Cool filling fully, roll tight, fry at 175–180°C, and drain on a rack.
  • Flabby wings → Dry-brine with salt/baking powder; finish at high heat or a quick refry.
  • Greasy tempura → Keep oil 175–185°C, avoid crowding, and skim batter bits between batches.
  • Gummy noodles for palabok → Sauce separately; toss just before serving and loosen with stock.
  • Flat cookies → Chill dough 30–60 min and bake on cool trays for better lift.

Serving Ideas / Planner’s Notes

  • Portions: 1 main + 2 sides feeds 3–4; for parties, plan 6–8 bites per person plus rice/noodles.
  • Balance hot/fresh: rotate a hot tray (wings/lumpia) every 15–20 minutes; add crunchy salads or pickles.
  • Include vegetarian options (e.g., salads, veg fritters) and at least one kid-friendly, mild dish.
  • Condiments matter: spiced vinegar, calamansi/lemon wedges, sweet chilli, and crushed chicharrón for palabok.
  • Texture/temperature play: crisp + creamy, saucy + steamed, cold salads with hot fried items.

Featured Links

Planning a fuller spread? Try the tangy, saucy crowd-pleaser Crispy Chicken Nanban with Tangy Tartar Sauce alongside smoky grilled vibes from Korean BBQ Samgyeopsal; add a sweet finish later with Chef RV’s Moist Red Velvet Cupcakes.