FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

Chances are, you might already be munching and enjoying a lot of native delicacies in your respective provinces when this time of the year arrives. It's an "unexplained tradition" why native delicacies are the staples of the season. Some say it's Filipinizing the Halloween that instead of candies and other treats, we have these native delicacies to share. They say it started in the rural areas, with the abundance of rice and coconuts, make these the season's staples. ( Link to the recipes is posted at the end of the blogpost ) Let's start with linugaw , though it is made year round as ingredients are not seasonal, it is always during Pista Minatay that we make the biggest batch. A concoction of coconuts, kamote, ube, sab-a, sago and rice flour balls all simmered in a thick rice flour and coconut milk mix. A simple yet tedious cooking process makes this one of the most satisfying home-cooked meryenda for all seasons. And I like it c...

Chances are, you might already be munching and enjoying a lot of native delicacies in your province as today, Nov. 1 is when most Filipinos go visit their dead in cemeteries despite the fact that it's actually All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day is still a sleep away. It's an unexplained tradition why the mix up just like why native delicacies are the staples of the season. Some say it's Filipinizing the Halloween that instead of candies and other treats, we have these native delicacies to share. they say it started in the rural areas, with the abundance of rice and coconuts, make these kakanin's the staple. And that this tradition may have caught up with the urbanites who at some point of their lives have took part of this traditon, adapted it in the big city. Whatever the case or occasion maybe, these native delicacies are always anticipated as it brings back not only the the taste memories one had in his younger years but they are really good eats i...

It was during a get together that I tasted this rich and delicious ube haleya. Inday Hami (of ILoveIloilo ) brought it just for the occasion and ever since then we at the party can't help but rave and crave about it. Not until I reposted the photo of this ube haleya on Facebook that I knew of it's popularity among my readers that I seek Inday Hami's help in contacting the haleya maker and to make it even more helpful I am reposting her blog article on this ube haleya. Mommy Ondette's Ube Haleya written by Inday Hami of ILoveIloilo Halaya/haleya is actually more popular in Luzon. Also Bohol, they have this but with a different name. Heritage worker, Gardi revived his lola’s recipe for this ube dessert and makes it avaiable to visiting friends and tourists. Although born in Tapas, Capiz, Mommy stayed long in Manila. I think that’s where she perfected her ube halaya. Now that she’s back in Panay, she decided to start her simple home-based business (on a per order ...

A homemade specialty by Mommy Ondette shared by fellow blogger Inday Hami of iLOVEiloilo . A feature about this ube halaya can be found at I LOVE ILOILO .

What would you expect when food bloggers meet? An afternoon filled with food; whether being prepared, eaten, photographed and/or talked about! Natie's invitation to meet at her house was a welcome change from the usual eat-and-run meetings we had before. Thinking of what to bring proved to be an adventure for me. Living far away was the factor that made me decide to buy rather than "experiment". It did not solve my dilemma but even widened the possibilities. The real adventure was going to Natie's residence for it is always out of my way though I pass by the area from time to time. But the directions they gave me were crystal clear that I reached the place without a hitch though I thought I was lost since the path that led was a world away from the hustle and bustle of the outside. Pancit Palabok from Balbi's Assorted chocolates and nuts Amy was already there when I arrived and after catching my breath we started preparing for what to be an afternoon "sn...

It was a gloomy Saturday but that didn't stop my scheduled meeting with one of my blog's avid readers, NATIE . We met at Krua Thai in Smallville for lunch, introductions and what else, food! Though she is no blogger, she's an avid fan of Iloilo and Ilonggo blogs. It was a feast with Thai specialties in between talks about blogs, blogging and bloggers. When her friend, Amy, arrived, dessert was the next thing in mind. We thought of going downtown but wasting precious minutes waiting for a cab amidst the rain, we decided to go to an aptly named specialty shop, Nothing but Desserts, at The Avenue. After a visual feast on what they had to offer we finally settled for gelato, panna cotta, choco bites and drinks. Then talks continued where it was left. Amy being a blogger herself shared some of her thoughts about the Iloilo food scene and some things in between. Plus she gave us a sample of her sumptuous home made ube halaya.Nat also talked about her family, her work and the pe...

Home made ube halaya given by a fellow blogger. The ube quality was so good that the resulting color of the halaya was naturally "ube-violet" and it tasted like well, ube!