Wannabe Foodie--February 4, 2015

I will be honest, I had a hard time remembering all the names of things when I first got here, but as my Tagalog is improving so is my ability to remember all the names of the Filipino dishes. I am sure I am forgetting some of the favorites I ate the first couple of weeks. Number one thing to know, they eat a lot of rice. It isn't just a joke. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner without fail. I think they definitely eat more rice here than in China, Thailand, or Vietnam. It could be we aren't eating out as much but most restaurants here just have the same thing, ulams and rice. The ulam is what goes on the rice. Sometimes, they all sound the same or start to taste the same. But I love the ulams. The only bummer is, rice is definitely cheaper than the ulam so there never seems to be enough ulam. Also, Taylor and Bergen hate fish so I haven't tried any of that because they asked Nanay not to cook it but I am excited to try it on the islands. Anyway, in no particular order here goes some of my favorites: (I feel like Andrew raving about his friend bananas and homemade fruit smoothies ;))

1. Pan Desal - David bought these the first morning we were here and I have been thinking about them ever since. I ate them when they were still warm and they were delicious. I know there is a place down the street but I don't want to find out exactly because I know I will get hooked. They are only a breakfast bread and they only sell them until about 8 or 9 in the morning. 

2. Bikol Express - This is one of my favorite ulams yet and I had it for the first time just the other night. I actually looked up a recipe to send home for you guys to make! It is basically pork or chicken (they hardly ever eat beef here) with an ulam of onions, coconut milk and cream, and lots of spicy peppers. Nanay might have even put a little bit of curry in it. I am sure it would be even better on quinoa or something.

3. Mangoes - Didn't like them before I came here but now they are addicting. They are famous here for a reason. Green mangoes are okay too, a lot tarter and crunchier. They like to eat the green ones with shrimp paste but I am not into that. 

4. Adobo - I couldn't get too far down the list without mentioning adobo. When ever you ask a Filipino what there favorite food is this is a very common answer. Think soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. It is pretty salty but my favorite is with pineapple in it. I like it a lot but this is one you probably want to eat with some rice. 

5. Lumpia Shanghai - Filipino version of a spring roll. Ground pork and vegetables fried in a wrapping. I could eat them like candy. Only weird thing, we had them for breakfast. I didn't mind, I always eat dinner foods for breakfast (and breakfast for dinner haha) but it kind of weird the others out. 

6. Chicken Curry - Maybe its not Filipino but chicken curry is always good.

7. Seven Eleven Soft Serve - 18 pesos (about 39 US cents) for soft serve in a waffle cone. It might be one of my favorite foods here ;)

8. Fruit Salad (And any fruit smoothie!!!) - I love any fruit here. I have had good fruit salad things at the mall but my favorite was one Nanay made. They put the fruit in some sort of coconut milk or something. They don't have milk here so I am sure it is either some powdered or can stuff. Anyway, the one Nanay made was full of coconut strings with pineapple, apples, mangoes, and watermelon. Only twist, it always had chunks of cheese in it. Not my fav

9. Chop Suey - I didn't know there was actually a food called that. Basically an ulam full of chopped vegetables. 

10. Pancit - Pretty good. Rice noodles with soy sauce or something, vegetables, and little pieces of meat.

11. Ube flavored things - Everything is ube flavored. Ube is a root crop and bright purple/indigo. I can't find the actual food but they make all their sweets ube flavored. It is kind of like describing the taste of salt... It just tastes like Ube. But it is a pretty mild flavor. 

12. Leche Flan - A carmel custard. Probably made with sweet and condensed milk and eggs. Super super rich. I think I will probably like creme brulee when I get home. 

13. Chicken inasal - This is my favorite fast food (Mang inasal) because it is marinated and grilled chicken. I swear a chicken breast doesn't exist in this country though. 

Now I am craving all of this! The best part about Philippines... Anything that tastes good (and is so unhealthy) is cheap as dirt!!!

I have had other things that I have tried but aren't my favorite but are famous here like sinigang (nanay could just maybe not be the best at cooking it....) and hopia (just like a bad papery cookie).

Of course we have things like eggs, different types of sweet processed meats, canned corn beef (definitely not my favorite) and rice for breakfast a lot.