ILOILO: Beyond batchoy and biscocho

Of all the Philippine destinations I’ve been to, it is perhaps Iloilo City that I’ve been to most frequently. Not only because of the warm hospitality of my aunt Dra. Alicia Tayag Saldaña and my cousins who live there, the general charming disposition of the Ilonggos, but also because of its plentiful nami (delicious) gastronomic delights the city has to offer that makes me keep coming back for more. It has been like my second home since I was bitten by that Ilonggo bug during my first visit in 1978. Over the years, I’ve found every excuse to go there, mainly to satisfy my craving for a whiff of that Ilonggo thing with fresh oysters, managat (mangrove jack fish), imbao (mangrove clams), diwal (angel wing clams), lampirong (scallops), lechon, batchoy and inasal (in that order). Though most of it is available in the metropolis, somehow it never tastes the same unless one goes back to the original scene of the crime.

TURO-TURO By Claude Tayag

(The Philippine Star) October 18, 2009 12:00 AM

Claude Tayag during the Media launch for Tinapayan's Chocolate Festival 2009

One of the Ilonggo treats I never fail to buy every visit is the mazapan de pili of Tinapayan Bakesop of Evelyn Que at the Atrium. It’s been one of my must-eat or must-buy pasalubong items before flying home over the years. Coincidentally, there’s an ongoing chocolate festival, “Sinful Desires @ Tinapayan,” running until Oct. 31. Held annually for the last five years, it is the much-awaited, month-long celebration dedicated to chocoholics. Witnessing the launch firsthand, the chocolate spread was a visual feast. Tinapayan Bakeshop has been the venue for this festival wherein the latest and trendiest designs and flavors in cakes, pastries, breads and other chocolate goodies are featured and made available exclusively for the whole duration of the event. It prides itself on using only the finest ingredients. Every week, special chocolate cakes, bars and breads will be featured. >>> Read More

Mama's Kitchen and Sinamay House in Arevalo

A stones throw away from the plaza of La Villa de Arevalo is an ancestral house where one can find not only good pasalubong items but also a look into the past of the district. Known as the Sinamay House , this well preserved ancestral house is an attraction not only in the outside but also what it houses inside. A collection of what the past like is housed in the two storey edifice which also acts like a museum of sorts. Sinamay is simply known as abaca by most and, here, a variety of products made from this fiber can be found. I remember watching a feature on tv wherein the owner proudly showed a framed letter signed by the late Princess of Wales, Diana, showing her appreciation of the handkerchief she was given as a gift coming from this very shop. But the attraction I am most familiar with are the chewies and crunchies made by Mama's Kitchen. Attractively packed in boxes showing their current flavours and variety, this is among the better...

An American Adventure Buffet at Days Hotel Iloilo

I just came from a meeting for an upcoming event dubbed as "America in 3D" and when I arrived at The Promenade at Days Hotel Iloilo, it was like "America in 3D" all over again. But it was delicacies, drinks and desserts that time for it was the launching of their newest dinner buffet called American Adventure. As it promises guests to embark on a culinary journey of the flavours of America, guests will surely the taste of America with it's line up appetizers, salads, delicacies, main course and desserts. I kicked off my journey with a bowl of the clam chowder which was just as good as the one I had a few days earlier at The Venue . It was rich and flavourful, so good that sometime during the course of the buffet I had anotherone. There was a beautiful display of Oyster Rockefeller which turned out to be delectable that I got one each time I stood up and take another round. A play on Las Vegas, I assume, were these chicken nuggets they call Gold Nuggets. Indeed t...

Ultimate Ilonggo Favorite: KBL Kadyos, Baboy, Langka

K.B.L. or Kadyos, Baboy, Langka is the ultimate favorite dish of most Ilonggos. It is also one of the most missed native dishes as kadyos and the souring ingredient, batwan , are hard to find when outside of the Ilonggo region. Basically, it is boiled/stewed pork dish owing its "deliciousness" to the combination of the soft and tender pork, the tamed sourness of batwan and the malinamnam na sabaw . One of the "secrets" of the malinamnamn na sabaw , is the fact that the pork, whether just the plain meat or pata (hocks) are first grilled or broiled. This gives the broth a rather smoky taste that makes it more appetizing.. Learn how to make the Ilonggo dish KBL (Kadyos, Baboy, at Langka) with the recipe below. Ingredients 1 kilo Pata (pork hocks) or pork cubes, GRILLED and sliced into bite size pieces 1 unripe Jack fruit, cubed 2 cups pigeon pea (kadyos) 6-8 pieces batwan fruit (or tamarind powder) 1 piece por...

An Ilonggo favorite - Valenciana

Found in almost all occasions like fiesta, birthdays, reunions and others, Ilonggos really love valenciana because most if not all have grown accustomed of having it in special gatherings at home. A complete " go, grow and glow " dish because it has the carbohydrates, protein and vitamins and minerals in just one spoonful, Valenciana is really an " occasional dish ". Here's the recipe for Valenciana

Easy Century Tuna Recipes

If you're looking for simple, easy and delicious Century Tuna recipes online, congratulations, you've found it right here! How about spicy tuna sisig or tuna sinigang ? Maybe stir fried tuna with pickles or just yang chow fried rice . I love Century Tuna from its flakes in oil variety, the spicier the better, but when I discovered the versatility of its solid variant, it became an obsession. At first I was just into the usual tested recipes; pasta and sandwich filling, but then it got simpler – I just eat it straight from the can! Usually with a piece of bread or an apple. I just add a few drops of vinegar to spice it up a bit. Then came the experiments. Yup I got tired of that habit that one day, I decided to test my skills in the kitchen. Serendipity, you might call it yet most of them turned into good recipes that I have shared now and then. Satisfying my Palabok cravings had me experiment on this recipe on the spot. With Century Tuna in lieu of the us...

FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

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