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Category: Food Trip

COFFEE & SAINTS

Filed under: Food Trip — 12 Comments

September 25, 2012

I’m very happy with my parish. St. John Bosco Parish along Arnaiz Avenue and Amorsolo Street in Makati gives so much to its community and involves itself in many issues affecting everyday life. Never passive. Very pro-active. My kind of parish.

Today, I’m even happier. Right within the church compound, on the left side of the church, and claiming a corner off the church parking lot is a coffee shop manned by migrant youth. Coffee & Saints is a one-of-a-kind coffee shop. Just a few tables, a very simple menu, and a cheerful staff who’d bid you “God bless you” as you leave. What’s more, it is very cheap that I had to ask the waiter if they ever make money.

After the noontime mass, I dropped in on Coffee & Saints and ordered a meal consisting of coffee, 3 pandesals and a cheese omelette. All that for P65. You will also find other combo meals like longsilog, corned beef , bangus, etc with a cup of Barako brew for the same price or slightly more. And there’s Colly de Don Bosco, much like French Toast with ham filling. Goes well with a cup of Cappuccino. While waiting for your meal, you may want to browse through some books on saints. Better still, drop in on the Parish Store and buy Fr. Faroni’s books for only P25-75. Yes, that dirt cheap. I bought a couple of books for only P100!

So, next time you are in the area, how about dropping by Coffee & Saints? Bring your friends. Enjoy the pandesals or cookies baked by the Pugad boys. (In 2002, PUGAD started a new apostolate for migrant youth, or poor young men, ages 17 to 21, who take technical skills training at the Manpower Training Department of Don Bosco Technical Institute. Most come from the outskirts of Metro Manila and far-flung provinces and PUGAD has become a haven where they can study and work with ease and comfort.) Don’t expect top-class service though and leave room for the boys’ learning curve. It’s the least you can do to help this Parish which is so committed to the plight of the migrant youth. Help them. Encourage them. Bless them.

Whatever you do, do from the heart,
as for the LORD and not for others…
— Colossians 3: 23

Tags: Barako Coffee, Coffee, Don Bosco, Saint John Bosco

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Boma Dinners & The Exotic Meats of Africa

Filed under: Africa, Food Trip, Travel, travels — 3 Comments

September 4, 2012

Was it an authentic boma dinner? Who’s to tell? I love it. Bush dinner under open starlit skies only African nights can offer. Listening to the rhythm of African drums as the aroma from various meats grilling to perfection wafted through the thin dusty air. Curries stewing in open metal pots. Camp fires and blankets failing to keep us warm.

Campfires at 6 Celsius? Hand me that blanket!

Steaming hot. Just the way we want it.

The drum beats and a motley group of singers and dancers entertained us in the Entabeni Private Game Reserve. So, this is what dining in the bush is all about. Another “experience” tucked under our belt. Hard to appreciate then because of the cold. Too cold that the thought that a beast may lurk somewhere in the dark hardly mattered. Too dark that we hardly cared what exotic meat we may be eating.

Interactive Drum Session. (I’d rather dance)

Medium Rare. Perfection.

But it must be said. They sure know how to do their steaks here in Africa. In Tribes in the Emperor Palace Complex in Jo’burg where we dined, I enjoyed my 300 gram rump so much. Before that, the Congo Wild Mushroom topped with creamed spinach and cheese is “to die for”. Better than Portabello, if you ask me.

Order the Congo Mushrooms and the Rump. You won’t regret it. Then some Malva Pudding as African dessert.

Malva Pudding on your lower left, folks.

And how about all those exotic meats in the buffet spreads in Zambezi Sun Hotel? The crocodile meat I found rather bland. But the Impala and Kudu meat…. Now, that’s real game dish I won’t pass up. Better than the biltongs, boerewors, kudu pies and ostrich bobotie I’ve tried in the Western Cape. (The springbok pie in Berluda Farmhouse is still tops)

Choose your WILD!

For the life of me, I never thought I’d fall for antelope meat that much. The Zambezi fish was so good yet I just couldn’t pass up the exotic meats. Guess I knew they’re to be “experienced” best here than anywhere else. Truly, the “taste of Africa”. Speaking of which, I didn’t fail to visit the store by the same name to take home some pâtés made from the same exotic meats: crocodile, impala, kudu, ostrich, springbok.

Exotic meat pates: Crocs, Kudu, Ostrich, Impala, Springbok.

For sure, this is an African cultural and culinary experience. Chatting up locals, engaging in culinary adventure, drinking their local beers and wines, bush dining under African skies. Quite a sensory experience, don’t you think?

“Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonalds? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria’s mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head? I know what I want. I want it all. I want to try everything once.”
― Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly

Tags: Africa, African Cuisine, African Meat, Boma, Bush Dinners, Entabeni, Exotic Meats, Zambia

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Royal Breakfasts & A Hike Around the Falls

Filed under: Africa, Food Trip, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

September 3, 2012

I like the vibe here. More than anywhere else. It has the “truly African” feel to it. Or perhaps, I should say “Truly Zambian”.

Just a few meters away is the edge of the cliff. Have your Eggs Benedict breakfast here while “listening” to the smoke that thunders. Victoria Falls!

Breakfast right by the “smoke that thunders”. What beats that? I’d readily give up my oyster and champagne breakfast for this experience. Yes, it is more than just breakfast. It’s quite an experience to munch through your Eggs Benedict while listening to the gushing waters from the falls and feeling that “spray” of water as the wind blows your way.

Thank you, Chikie, for this photo. I really hammed it up, didn’t I?

To think I was already so pleased with Zambezi Sun’s buffet breakfast. And my premier breakfast spot right by the pool, which Ngandan secures for me every morning! Can’t complain about this Zambian leg of my African journey. Everything worked out perfect here. It’s in the stars!

Royal Breakfasts indeed! A local, Ngandan, secured this spot for me each morning.

From our hotel, it’s only 2 kilometers trailing a path to view the Falls from different angles. Make that 4 kilometers for a return trip. The sun is out but the path is slippery owing to the water spray from the waterfalls. I’ve read about this tourist who slipped and fell from the edge (yes, he died) when a baboon sprung from nowhere to snatch his bag. So let me just say I took great care scaling those steps, crossing the wet bridge, watching out for baboons and yes, snapping way too many photos.

An aerial shot of the Falls with the Zambezi Sun Hotel on the lower left. From this spot, we hiked towards the steel bridge where we had a better viewing of the Falls and the Livingstone Bridge. Had a good “spray” too!

You can only take so many photos of the SAME Victoria Falls. From a helicopter, from the edge, from the bridge, from the many viewing spots. Lighting differs quite a bit, and the mist from the Falls can make or break a shot. After a while, you stop. Wiping my camera lens, I can only feel gratitude in my heart for all these natural wonders. The Falls. A rainbow here and there. Standing on a spot of land in Zambia, while looking out to the other tourists standing on a spot of land in Zimbabwe just across the Falls. Or looking down to the Zambezi River where some dare white-water raft or swim at Boiling Point. Such beauty. And I was there!

Photo Credits: Chikie. (That’s me up front, busy snapping photos while getting slightly wet from the water spray)

That’s the hiking trail. Just 4 kilometers return trip. And look at that rainbow!

Oh, by the way, there are some others who’d rather view the Falls while jumping off Livingstone Bridge which connects Zambia to Zimbabwe. If you care for a jump, just remember that a young woman once bungee-jumped and the rope snapped and she plunged straight into the waters. She had the presence of mind to swim under the currents to pull her feet off the rope then swim up to the nearest rock to wait for rescue. Now, what are the chances you can do a repeat of that? Best of luck, chap!

You can only take so many photos of the same Falls.

SEE THAT BUNGEE-JUMPER? IT’S THAT TINY RED DOT BELOW THE LIVINGSTONE BRIDGE WHICH CONNECTS ZAMBIA TO ZIMBABWE.

THE LIVINGSTONE BRIDGE. AND THE ZAMBEZI RIVER BELOW. SOMEWHERE THERE IS THE “BOILING POINT”.

Tags: Africa, Royal Livingstone Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zambezi Sun Hotel, Zambia

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WHAT I MISS(ED) IN KNYSNA

Filed under: Africa, Food Trip, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

August 31, 2012

The view takes your breath away. And that’s not an overstatement!

Oh, that lonely bench again! I see it everywhere. With a promise of a perfect view!

Knysna Heads. Imagine pre-steam ships going through that gap sailing into the lagoon. I can sit here all afternoon till sundown just staring into those breakers, watching the tides flow without breaking a stride to spill out into the vast Indian Ocean. Truly, an impressive view especially when the tides lift and flow over the rocks and sandbars.

Walking Towards the Rocks and the Lighthouse

The scenery before we stopped to appreciate this lagoon view somehow prepared us. My, this is really prime property with this premier view! The rocks, the tides, the lighthouse. Sitting on that bench with a cup of good brew or a flute of champagne should complete the deal. And don’t tell me it’s too early for my bubbles!

The Lighthouse

Framed by the Bus Window. So Lovely On This Wintry Day!

So, what did we miss? This foodie missed something big time. We passed it on our way to the lighthouse. Didn’t give it much attention as we were eager to see the views from the rocks. Read about it. But it didn’t stick. Aaahhhh….. This old hag must be losing it.

I want to cry. Waaaaahhhhh!

And we just passed it without giving a hoot! Waaaaahhhhhh.

And it’s just not the view. Breakfast all day in this cafe. Good coffee and wine selection. No pretensions. Just good home-cooked comfort food. EASTHEAD CAFE. Yay! Knysna truly surprises. The lagoon, the waterfront, the quays, the lighthouse, the quaint cafés and bistros. I can live here!

The Coffee Connection in Old Knysna

Lemon Meringue Pie and a Frothy Coffee @Coffee Connection

You lose some. You win some. In the “Old Knysna” I didn’t miss checking out Coffee Connection. This social hub has the best lemon meringue pie I ever tasted. Climbing up the stairs to go to the loo, I noticed how quaint the staircase, flooring and restrooms are. As it turned out, this 20-year old coffee hub is housed in an 18th century building which has since become a landmark in the “Old Knysna”. Nice. I got my frothy coffee, the best pie and the old charm of an 18th century landmark edifice. Swell.

SAY THAT AGAIN!

Easthead Cafe just had to wait for my next visit! Maybe I can spend more time here in Knysna. Charming place. Good food. My neighborhood!

Tags: East Head Cafe, Knysna, Knysna Heads, Knysna Lagoon, South Africa, Western Cape

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A Perfect Pitstop: R62 Deli

Filed under: Africa, Food Trip, Travel, travels — Leave a comment

August 22, 2012

Leaving Capetown is an ordeal. It’s heartbreaking to leave a place as lovely and postcard-pretty as Capetown. The sea and mountain sceneries are in perfect harmony here. Whether you are facing the Atlantic or the Indian Ocean, you will be dazzled by these magnificent backgrounds. The coves, where sailboats blow across the waters like toys, pulled by their colorful sails, can render the romantically-challenged quite desperate. Ahem. I can’t count the number of times I listened to the surf of the ocean and heaved a deep sigh in this lovely South African city.

There is much to do in Cape Town. Like revisiting all those places we’ve seen. Its charm drives you to do that.

The sound of the Ocean lulls one to an almost melancholy state. The surge and the spray just in time to wake you from that mindless state.

Off to the farm, the caves, the ranch we go. But first, some serious business. LUNCH. And what perfect pitstop. The R62 Deli in Joubert-Tradauw Wine Estate makes your day. Place is so intimate it makes you feel like you dropped in on your best friend’s for some home-cooked meal. As with many perfect meals, lunch here is simply made with the simplest, freshest ingredients. It leaves just enough room for everyone to indulge in their wines, be it rosé, Sauvignon or shyrah.

I almost grew tired spotting and snapping shots of the rainbow.

The resident mascot of Joubert Tradauw Wine Estate’s R62 Deli

The bean soup reminded me of my best Hungarian goulash somewhere in Eastern Europe, and the salads couldn’t be more Mediterranean. I can stop there, maybe even skip the dessert (a rare occasion) and linger around the wine estate on this pleasantly cool day. The very playful dog (Jacquie?) made everyone feel at home. I bet he’d tag along for a stroll. We also sneaked in and checked the small kitchen where more bean soups stewed, fresh arugulas and fruits ready to compose a salad, a chocolate cake freshly-baked and ready to be sliced.

Freshly-harvested greens and fruits. Straight from the farm. And their wines go well with the Klein Karoo tapas.

I want to remember every detail through an old sepia-colored filter. Call me romantic. ~~Or romantically-challenged?~~ But this tiny place is oozing with charm that even an ordinary brew of coffee would likely taste better. But wait, hand me that French Chocolate Cake!

French Chocolate Cake!

At the end of this dining area is the small Mediterranean-style farm kitchen which is open for everyone to step in to check what’s cooking!

I can drink gallons of coffee or tea here.

Tags: Africa, Cape Town, Food Trip, joubert-tradauw wine estate, klein karoos, R62 Deli, South Africa

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Dining 101 in South Africa

Filed under: Africa, Food Trip, Travel, travels — 1 Comment

August 21, 2012

Been here more than a week and sampled quite a variety of South African delicacies. What stands out though was the oyster and champagne for breakfast we had in Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa. By itself, the breakfasts served here are alright even without the champagne and oysters. But there you go. Luxury. They’re few and far between — ahem — so, why not? Let those flutes clink to good health and a safe journey. Indulge. What a treat!

The succulent oysters for breakfast at Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa

Kudu pies, vegetable salads, boerewors and koeksisters.

Then there are all those biltongs and pies made with minced meat. Not your ordinary minced meat though. I’ve tried kudu and springbok meat, both from the antelope family. Didn’t really like the boerewors sausages nor the very sweet koeksisters dessert, but I do like ostrich meat now and the fresh salads – both vegetables and fruits, freshly harvested from the farm – served us in Berluda Farmhouse and R62 Deli in Joubert-Tradauw Wine Estate. I was so looking forward to lunch at the Two Oceans Restaurant at Cape Point on Day 1 in Capetown but a change of plans landed us in Seaforth in Boulders Beach instead. View is perfect but lunch could have been better. Well, no big problem a glass of Castle beer won’t cure.

For all the treats on the table, I enjoyed the roasted sweet potatoes (kamote) the most. Those, plus the veg bredie and fruits.

R62 Deli deserves a separate blog. Watch this page! Love their green and fruit salads!

A seafood platter from Seaforth Restaurant in Boulders Beach, just a skip and a hop from the penguins.

And speaking of beers, Mitchell’s is perfect when you dine at Tapas and Oysters in Thesen Island. The coastal oysters are so succulent that one will most certainly ask for more than the “tasting” portion. Tapas consisted of fresh calamari, samosas, shrimps, fries, and an assortment of sauces and dippings. And what better way to cap this lunch but with a stroll along Knysna Quay and a coffee and lemon meringue at Coffee Connection.

Tapas and Oysters live up to its reputation. No pretensions, no frills. Just honest to goodness good and fresh seafood!

Quiche or Bobotie? Ostrich steak or fillet? Springbok is deer or antelope? Doesn’t matter what it’s called so long as it’s good only dear Rosie can make them!

You can’t beat the views at the very exclusive Plettenberg Hotel and Spa. Dining al fresco here is quite an experience. The seafood buffet could have been more fresh though. For someone who loves oysters and shrimps, it was surprising to find myself yearning to get back to Tapas and Oysters for a beer and cowboy lunch.

Unbeatable views at Plettenberg Hotel and Spa!

Coffee and Lemon Meringue Pie at Coffee Connection in Knysna Quay. FTW!

Leaving the cosmopolitan life and into the bush, the Entabeni experience was really more than just the safari. A bush dinner at 9Celsius? Even the constant drum beating and African music can’t keep me warm enough. Nor the camp fires and the red wine. But I love it! Steaks couldn’t have been more rare. And it helps that it’s dark to miss the steak juice (aka blood) oozing out of the carving. There were more sausages and others say the chicken was good. Since I missed the superb steak served in Hyatt Regency Oubaii Hotel in George the night before, I’m going rare tonight! And in the bush!

Aaaaah. Carnivores…… let us celebrate!

How do you want your eggs?

And if you think I can’t have a hearty breakfast after that rare steak dinner the night before, you’re dead wrong. We’re in Africa, baby! On to our safari on full stomachs! 🙂

Tags: Berluda Farmhouse, Cape Town, Entabeni Game Reserve Park, Plettenberg Hotel and Spa, R62 Deli, South Africa, Tapas & Oysters, Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

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The Farm Life at Berluda

Filed under: Africa, Food Trip, Travel, travels — 2 Comments

August 20, 2012

Ready for the farm? This city girl surprisingly made it through a very wet 2-night stay in an ostrich farm run by a septuagenarian by the name of Rosie and her charming family.

It’s the farmhouse transport system, ei?

Coming here is like coming home. Like a home in the range.

Home, home on the range,

Where the deer and the antelope play;

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word

And the skies are not cloudy all day.

But the skies were cloudy. It rained the couple of days we were here. Just the same, we felt so at home especially when Rosie takes charge and refuses to serve dinner till everyone is present. Rosie cooks a mean feast. Her springbok pie with its drippings for gravy poured over steaming rice is “to die for”. I had 2 servings and made sure I cleaned out my plate lest Rosie calls my attention. Soooo….. Not a morsel of food left on my plate!

Springbok Pie. Spring = jump. Bok = antelope or goat.

What’s a springbok? Spring means “jump” and “bok” means antelope or goat. It’s a brown and white gazelle from the south and southwestern part of South Africa. Is it a deer or an antelope? Honestly, I don’t know. But here’s how it looks before Rosie decided to make it our dinner.

Springbok. Before it became dinner 😦

And here’s more. Rosie proudly announced that our dinner was hunted by her young pre-teen grandson, Jan Henrich. Jan gladly though shyly posed for photos with some of us appreciative diners. And as always, Rosie did her rounds to make sure we are eating well. Imagine your grandma fussing over your dinner, if you will. With the fireplace well-stocked with logs to burn, we lingered over our coffee and desserts. Swell…..

Jan Henrich and his granny, Rosie.

Dessert!

As Berluda Farmhouse is an ostrich farm, we had ostrich pâtés as well as ostrich steaks. You can say I’m a convert now. It helps that I’m not particularly fond of this bird, so I can have my guilt-free dinners. Rosie kept the kitchen staff real busy even when the farmhouse experienced a power failure. For a while then, I worried what she’d serve for dinner. Her quiché didn’t disappoint. Simple meals made with exotic meats and freshly-harvested greens and fruits never disappoint. Same goes for the homemade pâtés and marmalades.

Mashed guava, kiwi and some peaches.

Rosie’s Savoury Quiche!

I would love to post more food photos but it wouldn’t be fair to the resident ostriches, would it? But I’m not about to apologize that this turned out to be a food blog. I’m drooling as I write. Mi apologia.

Was Never Fond of These Birds. But I love their MEAT! And yes, I won’t mind a bag made of ostrich leather.

And here’s what’s left of that ostrich 😉 Y.U.M.

Ostrich Steak for dinner.

Tags: Berluda, Ostrich, South Africa

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TRAVELING LIGHT WITH MY CANON G12 and iPHONE

Filed under: Asian Holidays, Europe, Food Trip, Spain, Travel, travels — 12 Comments

July 22, 2012

My Canon G12 packs well in my handbag! Have you read my earlier blog on my non-DSLR cam-toting travels around the country? Well, the same P&S traveled with me and i adore it!

The lovely temple in Punakha, Bhutan housing over 600 monks and where 2 rivers merge and then flow as one.

Parque Maria Luisa in Sevilla, Spain

Even if I wanted to, I can’t hold a heavy cam well. No worries. My Canon G12 suits me well. And hey, this is not a paid advert. Just happy with my P & S. I don’t even need to lug it inside a backpack. My small handbag will do. When in a crowded place, I hang it around my neck and zip up my jacket to hide it….. Only to bring it out for a few seconds to snap a shot. I call it “no frills” photography. 🙂

Ton Le Sap Lake filled with water……..emptying out as Siem Reap’s dry season approaches.

Imagine Lara Croft lurking somewhere here in Ta Phrom, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Neither is it a demanding camera. It thinks on its own. I have experimented with the settings but really, it is simply a memory catcher for me. Memories captured to be revisited at some future time. Available for easy review. I need not be too technical about it. 😉

Yummy Vietnamese snacks!

So colorful in Wat Po, Bangkok, Thailand!

Freson Con Nata is the specialty snack here in Aranjuez, Spain. That’s strawberry with real fresh cream for you and moi!

So there. And my G12 has a lovely travel buddy. My iPhone takes pretty good photos too. Yes, it’s good for those days you want to just step out with a fancy belt bag, or no bag. Tucked inside my pocket, I’m able to step out with a few bills and my iPhone. Loving it!

Oh, ok. The iPhone is likewise handy for a few stolen museum shots. (Mi apologia. No flash, of course)

My handbag easily fits a Canon G12, my iPhone, a bottle of water, a chocolate bar, wallet, brush, powder, lipstick, some snacks and a book!

Tags: Camera, Canon, canon G12, Digicams, Point and Shoot, Traveling Light

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SI TUGAK AT SI KULIGLIG (The Frog & The Cricket)

Filed under: Food Trip, Philippine Travels, Travel, travels — 4 Comments

June 30, 2012

Read so much about it, but never tried. Till now.

I’ve eaten frogs before in a Chinese restaurant in London. They called it “water chicken” there and I savored the dish without suspecting “water chicken” = frog. Not bad. In fact, I liked it. But I have not repeated that experience since. Till now.

In a recent trip to Pampanga, lunch was in a place called Apag Marangle in Bacolor. Literally translated as “hain sa bukid”, or dining in the farm, this 4 year old restaurant is located along the old Olongapo-Gapan Road (now JASA) in Bacolor, Pampanga. Fast gaining popularity for its authentic Kapampangan dishes, the native cottages lining a man-made fishpond with grazing ducks add just the right touch.

Pampanga is regarded as the culinary capital of the Philippines. One story goes that the Muslim royalty driven out of Manila settled here with their royal household. Another version is that many Spanish friars who oversaw the construction of several 17th century churches here had their own coterie of artisans and kitchen masters. I’m more inclined to believe the former story, quite unable to imagine the likes of Padre Damaso feasting on frogs and crickets.

Unlike the frogs served in London, the Kapampangan frog dish had no pretensions. The frog — called “tugak” — was served skewered, 3 to a stick. There is also the stuffed version (“Betute”) but I went for tugak 😪. No one wanted to share the dish with me. But I had company when the mole crickets were served. Boiled in vinegar and garlic, then sautéed in chopped tomatoes and onions. Crunchy at first bite, moist inside. Again, no pretensions in serving this bug dish called kamaru or kamaro. Never disguised. They all looked like they were crawling just moments before they were served. Awwwww 😣😢😝

You don’t need a stomach made of steel to try these exotic dishes from this foodie province. Just a lot of spunk and “fear factor-ish” sense of adventure. Don’t worry, there is no scratchy texture to the cricket dish. Why, you ask? The cook makes sure they have rendered the mole crickets lame by removing the legs and wings. Aww! 😣😢😓

To be sure, order some other non-exotic Kapampangan dishes in Apag Marangle. The grilled seafood and steamed vegetables served with buro (fermented rice) perfectly complement Tugak and Kuliglig. And the carnivores can still satisfy their Lechon Kawali fix served with liver sauce while deciding whether to order the more exotic Betute. I opted out. Stuffed with minced pork before deep-frying, the dish looks like an oversized, obese frog to me. 😢😣😜. Much unlike its skewered cousins who can do with some muscle toning. 😱

On our way out of Apag Marangle, we spotted some reddish thingy clinging to the bamboo poles and rocks. We were told they were snail eggs. We dared not ask if they were edible! 😝😝😝

Tags: Apag Marangle, Batute, Crickets, Culinary Trip, Exotic Dishes, Frogs, Kamaru, Kuliglig, Pampanga, Tugak

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Pansit Na Naman?

Filed under: Don't Skip Manila!, Food Trip, Philippine Travels, Travel, travels — 1 Comment

June 26, 2012

Away for nearly 3 months, I am now nicely settled. Home again. Back to the old grind. The same routine. The same food trip!

There were many food items I missed and you bet I didn’t waste time lining them up to stir up fond memories 😉 First on my list of must-eat was my favorite pancit. Now there are many versions of pancit (fried noodles) in this country and each version I pigged on. Shamelessly, I asked my good friend to cook my favorite pancit from Cavite — the one you eat with kilawing puso and culao toppings, along with a good sprinkling of Chicharon bits! Happiness :))

Then there’s the trip to Razon’s for my halo halo fix and….. yes, the pancit palabok. Again, with generous dollops of Chicharon bits. I’m not sure if it’s really the pancit or the Chicharon that got me hooked. But really, any version of the pancit does it for moí!

Back home, Manang Trining’s pancit is what everyone in the family comes home to after being away. For sure, this pancit stirs up many fond memories as every occasion is celebrated with this dish taking the middle spot on the dining table. The Chicharon is a side serving — like it’s “optional” yet I have yet to see someone foregoing that option when feasting on Manang Trining’s pancit.

The Chicharon never misses making an appearance when it’s the Pancit Luglug or Pancit Malabon version. Some crushed, some in bigger chunks. Some plain Chicharon cracklings, others with a sliver of pork attached to the fatty stuff.