With some meke noodles, I experimented on this non conventional batchoy with kalkag as the main ingredient. Kalkag is what Ilonggos refer to tiny dried shrimps that are lightly salted and sun-dried intact with its shell. It is used in flavoring pancit and in making kalkag flavored rice. (Edgie Polistico's Philippine Food, Cooking, and Dining Dictionary). With broth made from instant shrimp cubes and the addition of fresh egg, it seemed to be some kind of different batchoy - a lot different yet hints of familiarity. Next time there would be fried garlics, chicharon, chives and a lot more to "mimic" the original batchoy with a big twist.
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...