FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

Those familiar with buko pies that come in a box and cut into several slices, this buko pie seems out of the ordinary. Esguerra’s Special Buko Pie from Passi City is a staple gastronomic treat to those plying the Central Panay route particularly those passing by the component city. Like an overgrown mamon or cupcake, a single serving seems big from the outside. But a bite off its flaky top reveals its entirety. Buko strips in the pie concoction that sank and filled with air to the top. The taste of the pie is just ordinary – maybe the usual milk, sugar, flavouring, corn starch, coconut water and buko strips. It may not be overwhelming in taste but for its price and the presentation but for only around Php10 each (a box contains nine and one serves as the “patikim” – as I understood) it is already a good buy as snack or pasalubong.

Monday just became BUKOlic, with buko -halo and manok sa buko at Jo's Chicken Inato and boxes of Nang Palang's buko , buko -pandan and buko -pinya pies. Nang Palang's homemade delicacies now has a new look that even makes it more appealing and big time as it's very famous buko pie. It is now more of a delight to carry these boxed of treats from this little but big time store from Trapiche, Oton, Iloilo. From main course to dessert, Jo's Chicken Inato restaurant makes use of buko. From being an ingredient in the dish to being the "dish" itself, buko plays ang important role in the cuisine of this chicken restaurant.

Aside from their original buko pie, Nang Palang's also have flavoured buko pies. The buko-pinya pie which has pineapple bits mixed with the buko while the buko pandan is more of the colouring and flavouring added to their original recipe. Both are really good eaten hot or cold and e ach box costs a hundred bucks. They sell really quickly so its better to reserve your orders beforehand. Contact them through (033) 336-0954 or 0920-605-3626.

When I opened the fridge after midnight yesterday, there was this single slice of buko tucked in the corner. Maybe it was meant for me, maybe not. But for whatever reason it was left and for whom, it doesn't matter since I already had it for my midnight snack. It was yummy. Had this thick slices and layers of buko and the almost yema-like topping, it was a great find that time. Im sure it's not Nang Palang's since they do not make "crumbly topped" buko pies. Where did it come from or what brand is it? This still remains a mystery ....