Kamote juice, anyone?

Served to guests during visits at the Santa Barbara, Iloilo Centennial Museum, this cranberry juice look-alike is actually kamote juice. While most asks how was the juice extracted from the rootcrop, it is the red kamote tops (leaves) that creates this wonderful hue for the refreshing drink.

Red kamote leaves are boiled until the juices (that comes with the colour and flavour) are extracted. It is then set aside to cool down after which fresh calamansi juice is added to create a mix of flavour - citrussy and err, kamote. But the flavour of the latter is very evident in every sip, as long as the ration of the citrus and sugar are kept into a manageable level.

Just another easy to prepare refreshing and kamote-licious drink even at home. But looking for red kamote tops is another story for it is not as common in the wet market. Good luck!

Fruits from the grocery

These packs of cut up fruits were bought from SM Delgado's grocery. Got enticed by their color and luckily, they were as good as they looked, especially the papaya. Each was just less than Php 22, really a bargain!

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 pork broth cube (

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

Starbucks Coffee to open at SM City Iloilo Southpoint

After more than two years of anticipation, Ilonggos are getting ready to welcome the newest coffee shop in town. Starbucks Coffee is set to open its very first branch in Iloilo City located at SM Southpoint . Soon, anyone will have a taste of the various offerings food and drinks this coffeeshop have and what made Starbucks a hit in the Philippines when it opened years ago. The two-storey extension building of SM City Iloilo will house food shops at ground level and rumors say. a call center on the second floor. It is conveniently located at the crossroads of two larger shopping centers, SM City Iloilo and Plazuela de Iloilo which is set to open on Oct. 10, 2010. Photos courtesy of zynet and lewdsaint of SSC forum

Batwan

Ilonggos know batwan or batuan by heart as the fruit is almost endemic to the Western Visayas. Its scientific name is Garcinia binucao, derived from the Tagalog name for the fruit, binukaw. It is a large green fruit with large seeds and its a favorite souring ingredient in most Ilonggo dishes especially KBL or kadyos, baboy, langka and the Ilonggo-style paksiw known as "pinamalhan". It is characterized by a tamed sourness compared to tamarind and kamias . The fruit is sold by pieces or kilo in wet markets and even big grocery stores. Batwan is the preferred souring ingredients for the Ilonggo favorite- KBL. The photo shows boiled batwan with skin and without skin (right) A favorite riddle when we were young - "Among the many fruits in the forest, but one (batuan) is the best. What is it?"

FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

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