Fil-Am food blogger to launch 'The Adobo Road' cookbook in US

Marvin Gapultos, a Filipino-American food blogger, will soon be launching in the United States a Filipino cookbook: “The Adobo Road Cookbook: A Filipino Food Journey.” “I’ve always wanted to write a Filipino cookbook. The idea came about because there really weren’t that many Filipino cookbooks available in the United States,” said Gapultos, who documents his food adventures on his blog "Burnt Lumpia." Aside from adobo recipes, the cookbook covers a mix of traditional and modern Filipino dishes—including appetizers, dessert, cocktails, and pulutan—with a contemporary twist. “I went great lengths to develop a cookbook that I hope is accessible to non-Pinoys, but without watering down or sanitizing any of the recipes. It’s a cookbook that I hope Filipinos can be proud of, and a book that I hope non-Filipinos can learn from,” Gapultos told GMA News Online in an email. More than a compilation of Pinoy recipes, “The Adobo Road Cookbook” is a chronicle of his romance with the cuisine of his parents’ homeland, and his journey from food blogger to food trucker, and eventually cookbook author. Manila Machine food truck In 2010, Gapultos and another Filipino-American food blogger Nastassia Johnson, launched an orange food truck called the "Manila Machine." The truck was praised by food critics in the US for Filipino-inspired dishes like pork belly, pineapple adobo, Spam sliders, and ube cupcakes. The Manila Machine not only grabbed the attention of locals but also got the nod of Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold. The LA Street Food Fest also named Gapultos’ pork belly and pineapple adobo recipes a runner-up for “Best Nouveau Street Food.” “My food truck experience was fantastic. I loved that I was able to share a part of my culture with so many different people in Los Angeles. I had a great time introducing Filipino flavors to many that had never experienced them before,” Gapultos said. Manila Machine’s popularity made him realize one thing: “Filipino food can be enjoyed by everyone.” Gapultos has retired his popular food truck in April 2011 but continues his bid to bring the lesser-known Pinoy cuisine to the public, this time through his cookbook. "Burnt Lumpia" When Gapultos started his food blog "Burnt Lumpia" in 2007, it was simply because he missed his mother’s Pinoy recipes. A first-generation Filipino American whose parents come from Ilocos, Gapultos followed his grandmother in the kitchen, where she made adobo, turon, sisig, and halo-halo.  He documented these on his food blog. His interest with Pinoy food was what led him to launch the Manila Marchine food truck in 2010 with Johnson. After his successful food blog, food truck, and a cookbook, what’s next for Gapultos? “Honestly, I just want to continue spreading the word about Filipino food. Hopefully I’ll be able to write another book, or two, down the road.” - VVP, GMA News