Fortitude Valley’s vibrant culinary scene has a delicious new addition: Lunar Pies. This isn’t your average bakery; it’s a window into Filipino culture, serving up mouth-watering empanadas that tell a story of history, family, and flavour.
Owner Ginger Mendoza is on a mission to share her love for this iconic dish and bring a taste of the Philippines to Brisbane.
Empanadas are special in Filipino cuisine, representing a fusion of Spanish colonial influence and local ingenuity. For Ms Mendoza, they’re much more than just a tasty treat. They evoke a sense of connection to her heritage and family traditions. She believes many people are surprised to discover the significant role of empanadas in Filipino food culture. Adopted from the Spanish, the empanada has been embraced and adapted, becoming a beloved staple that reflects the diverse flavours of the archipelago.
A Culinary Journey Through Time
The Philippines’ 300-year Spanish colonial period left an indelible mark on the nation, influencing its language, culture, and food. The empanada is a prime example of this culinary legacy. While sharing similarities with its Spanish ancestor, the Filipino empanada has evolved into something unique, boasting distinct flavours and preparation methods.
Ms Mendoza explains that Filipino empanadas are incredibly diverse, with each region adding its distinctive twist. The classic filling features minced pork, aromatic vegetables like onion and garlic, and a surprising sweetness with raisins.
In the northern province of Ilocos, empanadas are typically made with rice flour and deep-fried, filled with grated papaya and garlicky sausages. Ms Mendoza’s empanada heritage comes from Bulacan, her grandmother’s province. These “Kaliskis” empanadas are made with a laminated dough, folded repeatedly to achieve a flaky, almost puff pastry-like consistency.
For Ms Mendoza, empanadas are a powerful trigger for childhood memories. She fondly recalls sharing warm, flaky empanadas with her grandmother outside their home; these cherished moments continue to resonate with her today.
From Craving to Culinary Creation
Ms Mendoza’s love for empanadas led to her relocation to Brisbane in 2016 to work as a private chef. A craving during her first pregnancy sparked the idea for Lunar Pies. Unable to find the flavours she longed for in Brisbane, she decided to take matters into her own hands. With her culinary background and entrepreneurial spirit, she recognised a gap in the market and launched Lunar Pies in 2022.
A Global Empanada Experience
Lunar Pies offers more than just Filipino flavours; it celebrates the empanada’s global appeal. Each represented by a distinct colour, six different flavours grace the menu. Naturally, Ms Mendoza’s signature Filipino pork empanada takes pride, featuring a traditional blend of pork, carrots, potatoes, and raisins. But the menu also ventures further afield, with two chicken variations, classic beef, a vegetarian option, and even a spicy Jamaican beef empanada.
Ms Mendoza, a self-proclaimed empanada aficionado, draws inspiration from Argentina, Ecuador, and Colombia, recognising the incredible versatility of this dish across different cultures, particularly those with Spanish colonial histories. Lunar Pies, nestled in the heart of Fortitude Valley, invites you to experience a world of flavour, one empanada at a time.
Published Date 03-December-2024