Puto (rice cakes)

Puto or rice cakesWhere did I buy the rice cakes? In the market, like I said. There is a section outside the market where long tables are laid out and vendors of rice cakes and native delicacies tempt shoppers with the goods. The cakes are laid out in large bilao (shallow baskets) and covered loosely with plastic. Considering the location and the setup, the rice cakes are actually sold as street food.

Are they hygienic? I must admit that they were quite exposed. Many foreigners balk at the setup of street food vendors but, in Asia, they’re part of the streets. Of course, the hygiene issue has raised some controversy.

Fried fish, egg and rice: the classic Filipino breakfast

Fried bangus belly, egg and garlic riceI don’t enjoy my bangus (milkfish) unless it comes with the belly. To be more precise, the fat in the belly. I’ve been scouring the web for health information on bangus belly fat and found nothing. There is an article in Medscape Today, however, that mentions a study that says fish fat may help fight against Alzheimer’s Disease.

The traditional version of this classic fish, egg and rice breakfast uses bangus marinated in vinegar, garlic, salt and chili peppers. I find it too strong for breakfast. I prefer the fish lightly salted…

Emergency

At 10.30 a.m. today, one of the house helpers came up to my study to tell me that we had no more rice to cook for lunch. Wow, and I was hoping for a leisurely day. We had a huge bowl of leftover stir fried beef and vegetables that I cooked for the kids’ packed ... (more)

Fish nuggets, fried egg and rice

Fish nuggets, fried egg and riceIt’s really funny when I hear people argue that ordering chicken nuggets, or a MacChicken sandwich, is healthier than ordering a burger. At the very least, burgers are made with ground beef and you can see the beef. If too many extenders are added, you can taste and see them. Not as easy with chicken nuggets since they are coated in batter and breading. And once dunked into those highly flavored sauces, what chicken flavor is there left to taste? And after I realized that chicken nuggets were not made from chicken fillets but, rather from processed chicken meat to which a lot of fat has been added to keep them moist, we stopped buying them and I started making chicken nuggets at home. Okay, they’re still fried but, at least, we know what exactly we’re putting in our mouths and stomachs.

Spicy seafood fried rice

Fried rice with tuna, shrimps and vegetables flavored with chili garlic sauceAsian breakfast. Fried rice that has everything in it — seafood, vegetables, eggs and rice, of course. Cooks in 15 minutes, minus preparation time. To save time — precious, precious time especially during the morning rush — I use frozen shrimps which has been shelled and cleaned. You can buy them in supermarkets. The tuna that I used for this fried rice is a whole fillet, the kind used for sashimi. Carrots and beans go well with fried rice since they retain their texture and shape despite the tossing and stirring. Broccoli florets, cauliflower, peas and mushrooms are also good choices.

About the Philippines’ rice imports

Sources Thailand and Vietnam are having their own rice-related problems.