What does your partner do in the UK and what do they think of the country?

Very interesting reply Subseastu, I suppose if you give them their own freezer it encourages them to buy a little for themselves without having to worry. Unfortunately I am similar to what you used to be like, I'm still at the crispy pancake stage, I'm hoping for this to change when the loved one arrives, as you know its so easy to eat badly, a bit of fish and rice shouldn't do me any harm at all. Its funny that you mention the Sunday roast, that's got to be a winner with everyone regardless of Nationality.

When I first met the loved she had never eaten Indian food before and now she cant get enough of it, that suits me just fine.

Question: Does their intake of rice decrease or increase, should a rice steamer be a priority purchase or not ?

A rice steamer is a crucial bit of kit. But my wife isnt so dependent on it as she was at first.

Many Filipinos eat rice at every meal but they do tend to cook a potful once a day. They also prefer short grain, southeast Asian rice in preference to Indian/Pakistani or American as it's stickier. So you'll need to locate an Asian store or mini-market that has rice imported from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia which will be of the correct variety.

If your lady consumes rice regularly then I would advise buying a rice cooker. Some Asian stores sell them.

My wife used to be heavily critical of our rice and it was probably because we always bought the cheapest (as I have never been a rice connoisseur). Until her pinay friend recommended Jasmine rice (apparently it is Thai) that you can get from Tesco. Now she is a happy bunny as it is just like she eats back in the Philippines. Since then we found that in the local Asian store we can buy it in more economical bigger bags.

We bought our rice cooker at a very reasonable price in the local electrical store.

I must admit Markham I didn't realise there were so many different kinds of rice, broadens my horizons coming here, its looking like an Asian store is the way to go, cheers

The Jasmine rice is a bit more expensive but it keeps Mrs Ash happy.

I guessed the steamer would be as essential as my PS3 which she bought me a few years back.

Do they become less dependant on the spoon and graduate to the knife or will I have to buy some really good quality spoons so I don't keep bending them

Seriously, I find that Filipinas look really cute using the spoon and fork and I hope to master the use of just to make her feel at home so to speak

Speaking of rice, my wife will on occasion eat it with hands opposed to spoon/fork, she says it's more enjoyable.

To eat, my wife tends to use cutlery these days but occasionally reverts to her hand now again.

That really depends on their upbringing. Those from the provinces (rural Philippines) will be more comfortable with using their fingers and resort to a spoon only if necessary - which they use as both a spoon and a knife. Those from the city and brought-up in middle class families will be quite at home with a knife and fork but will probably also want a spoon handy.

Oh and Jasmine rice can be from either Japan or Thailand, with Japanese being the more expensive of the two.

You chaps really know your stuff, and your rice.

I remember years ago I worked near Cagayun De Oro (may have spelt that wrong) and all the workers on the building site used their hands when eating, I was offered a spoon but I wanted to eat like them which amused them as they could see I wasn't accustomed to eating with my hands.

The first time I worked in the Phils many years ago is when my love affair with the people and their country began, I admire and respect them deeply.

Well, I don't know much about rice but I know my onions so me and the wife get on okay.

Is there any English food that Filipinas tend to really dislike?

To begin with, it was all of it. But slowly that has changed. She likes chinese food so that helps but, sadly, she doesn't like indian curry, only chinese curry. But like I said she is a fussy eater anyway.

Just seen this on wikipedia - dont know how true it is:

White jasmine rice
White jasmine rice is white, has a jasmine aroma and, when cooked, a slightly sticky texture.[6] The aroma is caused by the evaporation of 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline.[6] Jasmine rice has omega-3 fatty acids which maintain the brain and prevent Alzheimer's disease. It also has melatonin which helps with sleeping.

Yes, I've a feeling I'm going to be in the same boat, the loved one enjoys Indian food but the curry has to be mild, she is stuck on kormas at the moment. I've noticed that they tend not to like food that is very spicy, probably the reason they can handle Chinese curry. I'll be honest with you, I hope I can make the transition from Filipino food to English as painless as possible for her.

I wont serve up the tripe until she's been here for a while, or maybe I wont as I don't want her using the return portion of her air ticket.

So, it has a therapeutic value, good

To be fair, Mrs Ash probably isn't the best example of a Pinay in the UK when it comes to food. Her mate, on the other hand, eats almost exclusively UK style food as her husband almost forbids Pinoy food including rice, poor woman.

Easily solved...just buy a single.

I wouldn't have the heart to forbid the loved one from food that she enjoys, its not the basis for a good relationship being deprived of something that you enjoy and that is readily available. If the situation was reversed I bet he wouldn't like it. I know my lady wont pester me with Filipino food demands but if I can make her feel more comfortable and happy then I will be happy too.

I don't want her having a mok mok (did I say that right? its when they don't talk to you for 24 hours, only had that once, makes us laugh when we talk about it now)