Tag Archives: Saipan

Oct 5 2020

CHAMORU CUISINE: A Guam and CNMI Award-Winning Cookbook


To order your CHAMORU CUISINE cookbook, click here. If you have any questions about this cookbook, feel free to email us at sales@gerardaflaguecollection.com.

CHAMORU CUISINE: A Mariånas Cultural Legacy is an award-winning cookbook representing Guam and the islands of Saipan, Rota, and Tinian in the Northern Mariånas.

Gerard and Mary Aflague, formerly from Sinajana, Guam, craft a family legacy from their parents and World War II survivors Lorenzo and Julia Aflague. Their book highlights the CHamoru culture and hundreds of island recipes from the Mariånas.  Enjoy reading their stories, pass along a beautiful CHamoru history, and share tasty recipes with family and friends.

Book features:

  • Origins of a CHamoru family legacy
  • Narratives about preserving and passing on the CHamoru culture
  • Overview of the Mariånas
  • Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan maps
  • Stories of CHamoru culture
  • Narratives about the CHamoru people
  • A story about the CHamoru fiesta
  • Prayer before meals and the Lord’s Prayer in CHamoru and English
  • Phrases in the kitchen in CHamoru and English
  • Pencil drawings of Mariånas life from an 1800s Russian artist
  • Narratives and vintage photos about CHamoru culinary practices
  • Colorful imagery of the land and sea of the Mariåna islands
  • A brief history of CHamoru cuisine
  • Illustrated ingredients in English and CHamoru
  • Helpful kitchen tips
  • 108 CHamoru and island-inspired recipes
  • Doneness and temperature guides
  • Culinary terms and definitions in CHamoru and English
  • Mariånas harvesting calendars for fruits and vegetables
  • Index
  • Notes pages

Recipes in this book were prepared and photographed in the Aflagues’ test kitchen. They were crafted in keeping with the taste one would expect from CHamoru cooking. Of the 424 pages, there are 108 recipe pages and 108 beautiful photos showing finished dishes for a total of 216 recipe pages. Of the 108 recipes, a dozen are island-inspired (new creations from Mary and Gerard. The remaining recipes are fiesta dishes and home-style recipes). There are also 80+ pages highlighting aspects of CHamoru culinary fare, and dozens of pages sharing the culture of the Mariånas.

Pages: 424 total
Book Weight: 3 pounds, 4 ounces
Book size: 8 x 10 x 1.25 inches
Orientation: Portrait
Cover: Hardback cover with a debossed title
Inside: Full color and black and white pages
Edition: 1st
Publisher: Blue Wave Press
Authors: Gerard and Mary Aflague
Content and Copy Editor: Victoria Leon Guerrero
Cultural and CHamoru Editor: Joey Franquez
Recipe Editor: Vicki Tosher

CHAMORU CUISINE received a 2020 Gourmand “Best in World” Cookbook award.

Recipes in CHAMORU CUISINE include:

Amotsa Breakfast
Inafliton Hineksa Mariånas  Mariånas Fried Rice  
Yinalaka’ CHåda’, Atmagosu, yan Gollai Siha  Scrambled Eggs, Bitter Melon, and Veggies
Inafliton Hineksa ni Manå’yi Kåtne  Steak Fried Rice  
Pånket Siha Ginen i Isla  Island-Style Hot Cakes
CHurisos Dinanche, CHåda’, yan Hineksa’  Spicy Sausage, Eggs, and Rice   

CHesa Siha Appetizers
Boñelos Uhang  Shrimp Patties  
Lumpian Månnok  Chicken Spring Rolls  
Kelaguen Binådu Citrusy Chopped Venison  
Madoya  Fried Sweet Bananas  
Mana’pika na Getmon Maguro’  Spicy Tuna Crunch  
Mapikan Månnok yan Gollai Siha (Motsiyas)  Minced Chicken and Vegetables  
Kelaguen Kåtnen Guaka  Citrusy Chopped Beef   
Enkattidon Papåya  Pickled Papaya   
 
Gellai yan Ensalåda Siha Vegetables and Salads
Ensalådan Batåtas CHamoru  CHamoru Potato Salad  
Bok Choy, Payonsia yan Donne’ Gollai Agaga’   Bok Choy, Mushrooms, and Red Bell Peppers
Månnok, Gollai yan Satsan Hålom Tåno’   Chicken Veggie Bowl with Jungle Sauce  
Tininon Birenghenas ni Malechen Niyok   Roasted Eggplant in Coconut Milk  
Såtsan i Isla  Savory Island Salsa  
Gollai Hågon Suni  Taro Leaves in Coconut Milk  
Ensalådan Pånglao yan Gollai  Broccoli Crab Salad  
Såtsan Mames i Isla  Sweet Island Salsa  
Enkattidon Atmagosu  Pickled Bitter Melon  
Ensalådan Kåmba yan Daigo’  Cucumber and Daigo Salad  
Ensalådan Isla ‘Macaroni’  Island Macaroni Salad   
Tropikåt Ensalådan Mariånas  Tropical Mariånas Salad  
‘Spinach’ Hånom, Siboyas Dikike’, yan Håsngot’   Water Spinach, Shallots, and Ginger

Åggon Siha Starches
Hineksa’ Agaga’  CHamoru Red Rice  
Gollai Åppan Lemmai   Breadfruit in Coconut Milk  
Pån Sena  Dinner Rolls  
Pansit Kanton, Kåtnen Guaka, yan Gollai Siha  Pan-Fried Egg Noodles, Beef, and Vegetables  
Makomat Titiyas Harina  Grilled Flour Tortillas  
Riyenu  CHamoru Potato Stuffing  
Empanåda  Fried Red Rice Chicken Turnover  
Gollai Åppan Kamuti  Sweet Potatoes in Coconut Milk  
Pansit Bihon Månnok  Stir-Fried Chicken, Rice Noodles, and Vegetables  
Mahotnon Kamuten Lila   Roasted Purple Sweet Potatoes  
Gollai Åppan Mendioka   Cassava in Coconut Milk  
Titiyas Ma’es  Corn Tortillas  
Pika na Tamåles Gisu  Spicy and Savory Tamales  
Gollai Åppan Aga’  Bananas in Coconut Milk  
Titiyas Månha  Young Coconut Tortillas  
Hineksa’ Åpaka’  White Rice  
Mahotnon Mames Kamuti Siha  Roasted Sweet Potatoes  

Fina’denne’ yan Tinemplåda Siha Condiments and Marinades
Fina’denne’  Spicy-Soy Mariånas Sauce    
Fina’denne’ Binakle  Spicy-Vinegar Sauce  
Satsan Hålom Tåno’  Jungle Sauce  
Birenghenas Dinanche  Eggplant Hot Pepper Mash    
Tinemplan Kechap yan Lemon Mårianas  Mariånas Soy-Lemon Marinade  
Tinemplan Kechap yan Binakle  Soy-Vinegar Marinade   

Kåddo Siha Soups
Kåddon Månnok ni Malechen Niyok   Chicken Coconut Milk Soup  
Kåddon ‘Shank’ yan Papåya ni Malechen Niyok  Beef Shank and Papaya in Coconut Milk  
Aros Kåddon Månnok yan Hasngot   Rice Soup with Chicken and Ginger  
Esutangu, Kåtnen Guaka yan Gollai  Glass Noodles, Beef, and Vegetables  
‘Shank’ Guaka yan Puntan Kalamasa ni Maleche  Beef Shank and Pumpkin Tips in Coconut Milk  
Ilotes   Sweet Corn Soup with Coconut Milk  
Kåtnen Binådu, Puntan Kalamasa, yan Suni  Venison, Pumpkin Tips, and Taro  
Kåri  Fresh Turmeric and Chicken in Coconut Milk
Mongos yan Månnok  Mung Beans with Chicken  

Kåtne yan Gå’ga’ Tåsi Meats and Seafood
Kelaguen Månnok  Lemon Coconut Chopped Chicken  
CHamoskåddon Kåtnen Guaka  Hearty Beef Stew  
CHalakiles ni Manå’yiyi Kåtnen Månnok  Toasted Red Rice Chicken  
Tinaktak Kåtnen Guaka ni Malechen Niyok  Tenderized Beef in Coconut Milk  
CHurisos CHamoru  Chorizos CHamoru  
Estufao Månnok  Soy Garlic Chicken  
Tininon Kostiyas Babui  Grilled Pork Spare-Ribs  
Masipek Kåtnen Guaka yan Gollai  Beef and Vegetable Skewers  
Bistek  Soy-Vinegar Beef Sauté  
Tininon Månnok  Mariånas Grilled Chicken  
Kåddon Pikan Månnok  Spicy Stewed Soy Chicken  
Tininon Kostiyas Guaka  Grilled Beef Short Ribs  
Kåtnen ‘Rib-Eye’ yan Mångga ni Ma’afliton Yalaka’   Rib-Eye and Mango Stir Fry
Matostan Sesame Machamosan Maguro’   Sesame Encrusted Seared Tuna Salad  
Birenghenas yan Mana’mames Kåtnen Guaka   Eggplant and Sweet Beef
Guihan yan ‘Spinach’ ni Malechen Niyok  Fish and Spinach in Coconut Milk  
Pånglao ni Malechen Niyok  Crab in Coconut Milk  
Guihan yan ‘Bok Choy’ ni Malechen Niyok  Fish and Bok Choy in Coconut Milk  
Eskabeche  Fried Fish and Vegetables in Turmeric Sauce   
Kelaguen Uhang  Lemon Chopped Shrimp  
Kruket Satmon  Salmon Croquette  
Uhang ni Malechen Niyok  Shrimp in Coconut Milk
Guihan ni Mana’mames yan Ma’aksom   Sweet and Sour Fish  
Ma’afliton Guihan Palakse’/Låggua  Deep Fried Parrot Fish  

Fina’mames Siha Desserts
CHampulådu  Chocolate Rice Porridge  
Påstet  Baked Pumpkin Turnover  
Boñelos Aga’ Banana Doughnuts  
Buchibuchi  Fried Pumpkin Turnover  
Bukåyu  Coconut Candy  
Inafliton Roset  Crispy Rosettes  
Latiya  Cinnamon Custard Cake  
Boñelos Antigu  Sugar Doughnuts  
Mahotnon Mendioka yan Niyok  Baked Coconut Cassava   
Rosketti   Crumbly Cookies  
Pai Puddeng   Custard Pie  
Leche Flan   Caramel Custard Pudding  
Ensalådan Fresko na Fruta   Fresh Fruit Salad  
Pai Månha  Young Coconut Pie  
Pai Mames Kamuten Mariånas  Mariånas Sweet Potato Pie    
Guyuria  Glazed Twirly Cookies   
Pai Lemon ‘Meringue’  Lemon Meringue Pie  
Kalamai (Kulot de Rosa)  Pink Corn Pudding  
Makomat Mendioka yan Niyok (Apigige’)  Toasted Cassava and Coconut  
Puddeng Pån CHamoru  CHamoru Bread Pudding
Pai Mames na Kamuten Luta  Rota Sweet Potato Pie  
Åhu  Sweet Young Coconut Soup
Minesklan Niyok Tropikåt  Tropical Coconut Clusters      
Puddeng ‘Chia’ Aga’ yan Mångga   Banana Mango Chia Pudding
CHeritan ‘Acai’ yan Frutas Tropikåt   Tropical Fruits Acai Bowl  
Brohas  Sponge Cake  
Ma’åson Tamåles Niyok yan Mendioka Steamed Coconut and Cassava


May 3 2012

Pacific Islanders Cherish Connections through Clan and Family Names

In the Pacific Islands of the Marianas, family names are not only valued, they are cherished. So many folks are not only known by their surname, but they go further to define a particular branch that they belong to, in order to be easily recognized by others. Ask any Chamorro you meet what family they belong to. Not only will they say their official surname, but they will likely follow it with “familian [you add the name]”. Most will be able to quickly reconcile what branch of the tree they belong to, among the many trees and branches that make up Guam’s rich genealogical records.

This is a custom illustration that can be purchased and customized with your family name. This design depicts a stained glass spiritual theme. Click the image to order.

Take for example my family. I’m from the Aflague clan. Not much is known as to the origins of my surname, however, to differentiate my branch from another branch within my clan, they’ve identified my father’s branch to be from the Katson group, also known in Chamorro as “I familian Katson”.  I was told that my branch name actually came from the Flores clan. I’m not sure how accurate that is. But it makes sense. My grandfather’s middle name is Flores. For those who may not know, my grandfather was the first goldsmith on Guam, back in the early years, who made hundreds if not thousands of pieces of jewelry for many old time Guam families. In fact, many knew the jewelry made by my grandfather as “I alahas Katson”, which means “Katson’s Jewelry”. I run into a few folks from time to time who have said that they still have a wedding ring, or bracelets made by my grandfather. I was not born when my grandfather was in the business of jewelry making, however, he took his passion as a goldsmith very seriously and made it a venture that allowed my family to prosper and enjoy the fruits of their labor. His daughter, Mariquita, eventually took the reigns of the business and furthered their efforts into the 70s in Guam. If any of you are reading this and still have any of his pieces, please let me know. I’d be interested in seeing some of his designs in picture. I know this is a long shot, but you never know what you are going to get, unless you ask.

This is an illustration depicting a tropical setting with the island of Guam inset. We customize this illustration with your family names. Click this image to order now.

If the name Katson rings a bell in another way, its because my family are the long time entrepreneurs of Chorizos Chamorro. Going back to the 60s and 70s, my father’s brother, Vincente or “Ben”, went into the sausage making business with his sons. From there, his sons and others formed a sausage factory in front of the old Marks Department Store on the beach side of Anigua in the 70s. I distinctly remember their big delivery truck with the logo that had the “Katson’s Chorizos Chamorro”, with a cute picture of a cartoon pig face as their mascot. This business has now gone national after many decades, and is based out of California through a partnership with the Calvos in Guam. My first cousins and their nephews are now taking part in this venture.

So as can be seen, family names in Guam hold more value  than most western cultures, as folks seem to dig deep to uncover the underlying connections that become less and less apparent as new generations of families develop. This unique aspect of our familial connections make for enjoyable conversations at parties and get-togethers with other families. If you don’t believe me, just observe at an upcoming Chamorro gathering and hear the initial conversations of strangers meeting up for the first time. I’ll bet that they will share these two pieces of information to form the basis of where they both came from.You’ll see them introducing themselves, telling each other what their last names are, followed by their family names.  It’s intriguing to say the least. If anything, its an ice-breaker of sorts. Afterward the real conversations begin.

This is an illustration depicting a tropical setting with the Saipan island. We customize this illustration with your family names. Click this image to order now.

So as was mentioned,  in the Pacific Islands, clan names, and family names hold a very special significance in the lives of our people. We use it to connect, to categorize, and to be identified more easily. Because of the value that I know Pacific Islanders put on their geneology, I’ve produced a few illustrations that can be customized with family and clan names.

This is an opportunity for folks to display  not only  a representation of where they come from in a colorful tropical theme, but also to be able to proudly showcase who they are as pacific islanders. These two elements come together to provide something unique, it is nothing short of a conversation piece. I envisioned these illustrations as a one-of-a-kind gifts to other families who would find this more than just beautiful. Set in an 18″x24″ frame, and hung in your home’s foyer or living room, it is a testament to who you are and where you come from.These pieces are  Giclee illustrations that depicts the look of stained glass, however, they are printed on museum quality illustrated stock.

If you want to be one of the first ones to have your name customized on one of these one-of-a-kind unique stained glass design illustrations, or if you want to order one as a unique gift to someone special, click one of the images above for more ordering information. If anything, please leave a comment below. I’d be interested in what your perspectives are of the significance and value of family names in the Pacific Islands. Adios for now!