Take the challenge of the Dynamite Lumpia

by: Vialyn Felipe

Foods bring pleasure to some people. Especially when the foods they are eating are their favorite ones. It somehow lessens stress which we get from fully loaded assignments, projects, schedules and appointments. Foods also mean happiness because when a chef serves the food and his/her customer like the food he/she serves, the chef will feel like he/she is doing something right.

                Filipinos are very creative not only in art but also in foods. From simple street foods to fast food chains and to the expensive restaurants, they think of a way on how it will look more delicious and more presentable for the customers. They also add twist so that the old recipes will enhance in flavour and it will become famous or popular when the twist applied is approved by the customers. Bringing such simple food to a different one is not an easy job. It takes time to think, to decide and to get the perfect combination of spices from many experimentations and trials. It takes time to think on what food will be a pop-talk for consumers.

                

              Talking of twists on food, here’s one that somehow a little bit strange, the Dynamite Lumpia. It is not only a street food; it is also for home dish and for restaurant dishes. From the original Lumpiang Shanghai which was made only from ground pork, spices and wrapped in a lumpia wrapper, it has now another version, a spicy one, the Dynamite Lumpia. Since Filipinos like spicy foods, especially the Bicolanos which were known for their Bicol express, this dynamite lumpia became famous and suits the taste of our countrymen. The dynamite lumpia has a green chili as one of its stuff and when you eat it, it is spicy because of course, of the green chili. That is one of the basic reasons why many Filipinos like the dynamite lumpia.

                If you are a certified spicy food lover and want to try the dynamite lumpia, here’s the recipe from “ Yummy easy meals every day”:

Ingredients:

photo from: foodipino.com

2 tablespoons vegetable oil for sautéing
1 medium onion
3 cloves garlic

 1/2 kilo ground beef
1 (40-gram) pack taco seasoning mix
salt and pepper, to taste
20 finger chilies (siling pangsigang)
20 spring roll (lumpia) wrappers
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
3 cups vegetable oil for frying 

Procedure:

First, heat the oil in the pan and sauté the onion and garlic. Second, add ground beef and taco seasoning. Season it with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside. Next, assemble it, lay a finger of chili on a sheet of lumpia wrapper and add 1 tablespoon of ground beef mixture and 1 tablespoon cheese. Roll and seal. Repeat until done. Then, heat the oil in a frying pan. Fry the Dynamite Lumpia until it is cook. Lastly, serve it.

                The recipe of the dynamite lumpia is just like the recipe of the lumpiang shanghai. The only difference is that there is a spicy flavor because of the green chilli. Young, teens or even old ones take the challenge to taste dynamite lumpia. They said that it is not too spicy that is why it is okay to eat more and more.

                When you look at the dynamite lumpia, you have to think twice before eating one because. Yes, it looks delicious yet has an intense flavor. But when you are a spicy food lover, quickly grab one and eat more. Another reason I think why people love it is because they combine it with their favorite dips. The usual dip that is perfect for the dynamite lumpia is the vinegar. But of course, all of us have our own favorite that is why people look for other dips that will suit their taste and is perfect partner for their dish.

                For those people who are craving for cheese and with the touch of a spicy flavor, try the dynamite lumpia with a cheese. You could eat it with your bare hands and with or without a dip. It will definitely fill out your satisfaction.

                Many people are now trying to cook the dynamite lumpia at their home with the desired flavor they want. I am very sure that among those who have tried, they are very satisfied with it. And I will not get shock if some time the dynamite lumpia will have another twist because, we Filipinos love to eat. The ideas of making another version of the food we eat and trying another one puff out on our mind.

                The dynamite lumpia was also eaten by those people who usually drink beer. They used it as their “pulutan”. I can say that those people, who are drinkers of alcoholic beverages like the beer, don’t find the dynamite lumpia as a spicy food. According to some experiments, it is tested that the best way to remove the spicy taste on your mouth is to drink a glass of beer. That is why they keep on eating dynamite lumpia even though they see that it has a green chilli.

                So if you’re going to try one, surely it will have a hot effect to your mouth and will make you drink glasses of water. Then, think twice before eating one!