FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

It sure looks like a native guava - yellow green in the outside and pinkish inside, and not surprisingly it really tastes like one. I've been eyeing this cake ever since I set foot inside Maridel's Desserts and Pastries at Plazuela de Iloilo . But during my recent visits, it was off the display since the supply native guavas is not that constant nowadays. Lucky for me, there were two whole cakes during my Dinagyang visit so I eagerly had a slice. It's a naturally flavoured guava cake with most of the native flavour is infused in the butter icing. Even after a few bites, the guava flavour is still there and not lost in translation. The chiffon cake with it's rich pinkish hue also has some hints of the guava flavour but not as quite as the icing thus it perfectly complements not only in colour but also in taste and texture. I also like the filling light filling giving the cake a burst of new flavour if you're getting tired of the taste of native guava. It...

VALENTINE'S DAY. It’s the time of the year when love is felt all around; when red is the dominant color and how everybody is having a sweet tooth all of a sudden. Desserts and everything sweet play a major role during heart’s day, whether as gifts, giveaways or food around us. As the cliché goes, the way to one’s heart is through the stomach and yes, let’s talk about nothing but food - what to buy, where to dine and how to prepare … Sweets for my sweet! BUY AND BRING HOME Heart Cakes Tinapayan Bakeshop has a wide variety of special Valentine cakes and yes, they are all heart shaped. They do not only look good but also taste good as they come in different colours and flavours inside out. And you can personalize them for your sweet Valentine. Butterscotti A trademark of Rgies Delicacies, butterscotti comes from the words butterscotch and biscotti. They were remnants of butterscotch that stick to the pan after being baked but after being discovered to be deli...

January is Iloilo's month of revelry and of course, that just mean one thing- Dinagyang . For three days (and nights) on the fourth weekend of this month Ilonggos pay homage to the Child Jesus - Señor. Santo Niño . At the same time, it is also to celebrate the arrival on Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis. And it was Dinagyang of 2012 where most of my January blogging highlights took place. But there were other notable events that highlighted my January 2012... A part of it's national campaign, SM brought to Iloilo City it's My City, My SM, My Cuisine . It is the company's thrust showcasing the best of the regions and food is among the highlights of travel to most parts of the Philippine archipelago. The event included heritage dishes (estofado nga pato sa tuba, potato praline cake, lengua con setas con olivas and "YSL") and a cooking competition for the best pancit molo and best mango dessert. And r...

It was almost a year ago when I had my first bite of what Maridel's has to offer. I remembered ordering not only one but two "sinful" desserts that I finished in no time while the two ladies a table from me had a hard time finishing theirs. I was in a dilemma of which to order - their best seller Snicker's Pie (above) or the one that first caught my attention - Frozen Lemon Meringue (below). To come out of it, i just ordered them both. And while the latter became one of favorite orders, the Snickers Pie made me appreciate the creation more than the chocolate bar.  Then I also discovered how delicious their Banoffee Pie was with chilled wholes bananas that gives an icy sensation in every bite. The Vodka Bundt Cake also intrigued me because of the "vodka". It smelled and tasted good but I never had the chance to have been drunk with it as it is a fast selling item. Now here's one of the most unique and most "bloggable" cakes at Mar...

It was my busiest Dinagyang celebration ever! For 5 days and 4 nights, it was all about food, food and food as I made my way around town joining in the festivities that highlights as the same time "sidelights" the festival. I've discovered new places, new dishes, new events and especially new friends who share almost the same passion. It was indeed an enjoyable and awesome celebration of Dinagyang 2012 . First stop was the home of one of Iloilo's most celebrated chefs, Ms. Maridel Uygongco . I tagged along through the invitation Ms. Regine Algecera , executive producer of two cable tv shows (for both Sky Cable and Cable Star). In her kitchen, Ms Maridel demonstrated the preparation of her YSL recipe she made during the My City, My SM, My Cuisine event. It was a very casual video shoot with all of us enjoying not only the designer ibos she prepared but also the fun of it all. I then rushed to Maki Japanese Restaurant where a friend celebrated his birthday p...