FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

One of my fondest memories of having to tag along during a Sunday "marketing" chore is seeing piles of kalamay nga pula  sold in the town's market. It really excites me to see this brown mound, most especially  if it has much bitog-bitog .  As the transaction goes on, I'd sneak around and pocket as many as I could. So even if we didn't buy any sugar at all or how long the whole panindahan takes place, at least there's something to keep me busy along the way. On the downside, most of the time I'd forget about this when we come home and I just remember it when the ants feast on the remains of the days - LOL

This is a staple offering in almost all small bakeries around and is one of my favorites.  The mix of sweet first bite is complemented by the salty aftertaste brings back the flavors of yesteryears.  Though not necessarily a half-moon - it's more of a quarter moon really, this distinctive shape was among the come-ons why this cookie appealed so much to the younger me.  Nonetheless it still is a fave order when ever I find myself at a local bakery. Is this your favorite too?

The past days of rain was the perfect time to crave for a hot bowl of soup. And it was Lomi that I was craving for. But then, all I had were mostly ingredients for Pancit Molo, so I decided to combine the specialties of Iloilo and Batangas into one, I must say delicious, noodle dish. Though, it's not really the authentic recipe for the Batangueno soup but it satisfied my lomi cravings. And it's very easy to make despite how heavy and complicated the resulting dish becomes. It's more of the fact that the noodles used are Pancit Molo wrappers and meat are the filling but you can also use dried flat noodles and plain ground meat. Check out the RECIPE .

How about some labanos or radish?  Most likely you've encountered labanos in a Sinigang recipe or as an appetizer with vinegar dressing. But on its own, I love its peppery-bitter (or how might you call it) taste. If it's in season or if its really  cheap in the market , we'd have like a "Labanos Festival" at home. And here's one of the simplest recipes using radish. Here's the recipe for Labanos Guisado with Ground Pork .

Suman Latik is one of my ultimate favorite native delicacies ( check out more ) and most of the time these are sold in the public markets in pairs. It consists of a flattened ibos (or suman as referred up north) topped with bukayo - coconut strips sweetened by muscovado sugar. But most of the time, my appetite hungers for more than a pair of these or the bukayo portion is bitin that I wish there's more. And at times we just make our own at home so that we can enjoy this suman-bukayo combo to our heart's content. But the wrapping of the sticky rice in banana leaves when cooking and unwrapping it for eating, is labor extensive - sort of. So out of the blue, we just thought of making it "Trifle-style". Inspired by the British dessert which Tinapayan at Iloilo Supermart recreates in Ube and Strawberry , our Suman Latik "Trifle" is a native delicacies version made with layers of suman/ibos and bukayo. It's a delectable presentation, easy ...

In a city where heritage meets progress, Iloilo stands tall a both a cultural gem and an economic powerhouse. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, the heart of the city offers more than just a destination - it offers a journey. And at the center of this experience is  Courtyard by  Marriott Iloilo , your ideal base for both exploring and excelling. This season, the hotel invites you to  take advantage of two exclusive promotions tailored for discerning travelers:  Explore Iloilo  and  Business Travel Privileges. Explore Iloilo Package Designed for leisure seekers, cultural explorers, and weekend wanderers, the Explore Iloilo Package  is a gateway to the city’s best-kept secrets. Guests stay in a Deluxe Room with daily buffet breakfast  for two at Runway Kitchen, setting the tone for a comfortable and satisfying day. The package includes a complimentary one-time drop-off to any Iloilo heritage church (choose from  Mandurriao, Jar...

This July, Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo invites guests and diners to experience the vibrant flavors of the season through its exclusive A La Carte specials.   From locally inspired dishes to globally influenced creations, this curated culinary lineup is designed to celebrate the richness of Iloilo’s taste and hospitality. At the Runway Kitchen together with Chef Bonn Reyes and the Iloilo Bloggers Inc. Whether you’re planning a leisurely lunch, a refined dinner, or simply exploring new places to eat in Iloilo, the hotel’s July dining promotions promise an elevated experience. A Culinary Journey at Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo The A La Carte specials for July showcase a thoughtful blend of seasonal ingredients, creative techniques, and impeccable presentation. Each dish is crafted to highlight fresh flavors while maintaining the signature quality and service Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo is known for. Guests can expect a rotating menu of chef-selected entrées, sides, and dessert...

Hawker food centres are popular in Singapore as they offer every day food conveniences at an affordable price in generally expensive Lion City. Newton Food Centre is among the OG hawker centres in Singapore and still remains among the most popular - even featured in the movie Crazy Rich Asians. During my first time in Singapore ( thank you Cebu Pacific ), I was able to visit this hawker centre and it was overwhelming - so many stalls to choose from aside from having unfamiliar yet appetizing and inviting dishes all throughout. Here are some pics and picks of our gastronomic adventure in Singapore at Newton Food Centre. And had a gastronomic affair with these flavors of Singapore. Cereal Prawns Roast Pork combo Fried Rice Stingray in Sambal Sauce Nasi Goreng Char Kway Teow Nasi Lemak Fruit platter Good thing there’s an MTR station nearby bearing its name, so going there is relatively easy. It was a delicious foodie adventure at Newton Food Centre and I won’t mind  going there again ...