Culture

Blogger Spotlight: Asian In America

Angela Carlos|

This week, we're proud to feature Elizabeth Ann Quirino of Asian In America in the Blogger Spotlight. For those new to the column, every Friday, we highlight a member of The Daily Meal's Culinary Content Network, a limited group of bloggers who write about food and drink.

We look to this group of talented food writers for inspiration and participation in The Daily Meal, whether for restaurant recommendations or new recipes to try out for dinner. Our editorial team covers All Things Food and Drink, and we tap the CCN to keep up to speed on what is happening around the country and the world — from fine dining to home cooking.

In addition to blogging at and creating Asian In America, Elizabeth Ann Quirino is an award-winning journalist, columnist, blogger, and social media influencer. Her writing focuses on Asian and Filipino cuisine, as well as, history and culture.

She is currently writing a cookbook on Philippine cooking.

The Daily Meal: What is the mission of your blog?
Elizabeth Ann Quirino: I transform heirloom Asian and Filipino recipes to modern dishes in my American kitchen.

How did you get started with your blog?
My sons created the blog for me five years ago. When they left for college, graduated, and moved to their own apartments, I worried they wouldn't eat well, so I wrote down recipes for them to cook. They preferred digital recipes, and told me to stop wasting paper. My eldest son, Tim, is a web designer and designed the blog. My youngest son, Constante, is a writer, so he gave me writing advice.

What are some foods you can't live without?
I can't live without Asian and Filipino food, desserts, and mangoes.

What are some foods you can't stand?
I can't stand over-priced, badly-cooked food from hip, trendy wannabe restaurants.

What is your proudest blog post?
My proudest posts are when I feature recipes cooked by my two sons. I listed them in the favorites below.

What is your biggest blog blunder?
When I first started, I took a few bad food photos with poor lighting. My husband got me a Canon soon after.

What is your most memorable comment from a reader?
The most memorable comment I received was: "Thank you for your Chicken Adobo with Coconut Milk recipe. My mother-in-law has more love and respect for me now since I cooked that."

What's on your cooking playlist?
Michael Buble albums.

What are some food blogs you love?
80 Breakfasts; Tangled Noodle; Pastry Chef Online; Kitchen Confidante; Lemons and Anchovies; Momma Cuisine; Steamy Kitchen.

What is the best thing about blogging?
Honoring my Asian-Filipino roots because I cook and bake recipes my mother taught me. My sons will always have those recipes as a template for dishes they like to cook and create themselves.

What is the worst thing about blogging?
The worst thing is the unauthorized lifting of my entire recipes and photographs. Those who do this do not bother to link or mention my blog or me.

What recipe are you currently obsessed with?
I'm already planning my holiday menu when my sons will be home.

What would even your most loyal followers be surprised to learn about you?
I have won awards for my writing and have had a long career as a writer. My writing goes beyond food. I write about history, food anthropology, culture, and personalities. I am a correspondent and columnist for an online magazine that is read by 13 million globally. It is called Positively Filipino and based in San Francisco, CA.

Five of your all-time favorite posts? 

Recommended