FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

Every December, the town of Santa Barbara, Iloilo celebrates its annual patronal fiesta with religious as well as gastronomical activities. So here are some of the food and flavours of the Santa Barbara Fiesta from one of the houses we were able to visit. Valenciana Beef Caldereta Chicken Afritada Embutido Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Pancit Molo Bangus Relyeno The star of any fiesta - Lechon Baboy Cucumber Salad Ube Halaya con Suman  

Be it chicken inasal or grilled pork chop to seafoods especially  talaba, a spiced vinegar is the perfect dip to further one's appetite. While every region in the Philippines has it's own version of a spiced vinegar and a name for it, when in Western Visayas especially - just look for SINAMAK . But one need not to look far as it can found almost anywhere for it is a staple dip in almost every household and native restaurants.  It basically sits on the center table in most dining places and you can't miss it! The recipe varies from each household and the percentage of the "ingredients" too but always present are siling labuyo (green and red for color variation and makes it more visually appetizing), ginger (locals used langkawas or galangal but regular ginger will do) and garlic. How to make Sinamak Ingredients 2-3 cups native (coconut) vinegar (adjust according to bottle size) 1 cup siling labuyo 1/2 cup ginger, s...