In the Philippines and throughout the world where Filipinos host a party like birthdays, fiesta, anniversary, holidays, reunion etc., there is always a lechon. And it's at the center of the food table, like it's the star or "bida" of all the dishes served. People will say, the celebration won't be complete without the lechon. And even if it's a little expensive, people will still include it in their budget. Because a party is not the same without the lechon.
In fact, because of its popularity, there is a festival called "Parada ng mga Lechon" or parade of the lechon, which is held every year on June 24 in Balayan, Batangas. This is actually a fiesta where they celebrate their patron saint, but the highlight of the day is the parade of the lechon from 49 different barangays of the province. So if you want to see lots of lechon in costumes, save June 24 and go to Balayan, Batangas.
But have you even wondered where the lechon came from? And why is it called as such? As usual, I wasn't surprised that lechon is derived from a Spanish word lechon. It means roasted suckling pig. It originated from Spain. Spaniards introduced it to all the countries they colonized. Now it is a popular dish in Latin America, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Indonesia and of course Philippines. Back then, only suckling pig is used. Nowadays, an adult pig is more commonly roasted. Chicken and beef is also used for lechon.
Lechon is prepared by removing all internal organs and seasoning with different herbs and spices. It is then cooked by skewering the entire pig on a pit with lots of charcoal. Lechon makers have special way of preparing their lechon to make it tastier and the skin crunchier...
In the Philippines, you could find the best lechon in La Loma, Manila, the lechon capital of the Philippines, where there are rows of lechon for sale. Most popular lechon makers are Mang Tomas, Lydia's Lechon and Mila's Lechon. But Cebu is also getting popular for producing a good lechon. In fact, some Filipinos in Manila would order all the way from Cebu because they think its more delicious compared to other lechon from different region. A few years ago, Cebu's lechon was declared in Time Magazine's The Best of Asia 2009 as the 'best pig', when popular TV Chef Anthony Bourdain, of No Reservations, visited the Philippines. Here in Chicago, a lot of Filipino stores and some private individuals are also producing lechon.
When people starts eating, they would go for the skin of the lechon right away, because it is the best part. Especially, when it's still warm and crunchy. The best part of the meat is near the bone, where its most tasty. It is usually eaten with the gravy specially made for lechon, a popular one is available commercially, the "Sarsa ni Mang Tomas". Some people prefer to dip it on vinegar based sauce or sinamak. And since it is a whole pig, there's a lot of leftovers. Usually Filipinos would cook it again. We would make it into lechon paksiw. It's the lechon meat simmered with vinegar or pineapple juice, sarsa ni mang tomas, peppercorn, garlic, onion and bay leaf. Some would fry it. Some would make it into adobo, sinigang, empanada, sisig, in pinakbet or lechon wraps.
I wasn't really a fan of lechon, even before when I used to eat pork. I find it bland even with the gravy. I appreciate it better when I made it into lechon paksiw. But almost all Filipinos love lechon. Like they look forward to the party because of the lechon being served. Filipinos will say,' Come to the party, we have lechon'. And now that holiday season is almost near, for sure lots of parties will be serving lechon.
I discovered my love for writing by accident. I didn't know that I wanted to write. Back then I thought I just wanted to read good books. I began writing when I was in high school. We were asked to compile plays, poems, essays etc. There were no public libraries then, and no computer or internet yet. At least commercially. It was in the late 80s (Commercial internet such as world wide web became available in 1991). And so research was a little difficult. I had to find poems and plays and short stories with limited books I could find. And then a thought came to me. The teacher didn't say that it has to be written by a famous author. And since I want to finish my project right away, I began writing my own poems and essays. And that's how it started. Having found a new "talent", I joined essay writing contest, speech writing contest etc.
I was a writer and editor of my high school newsletter. And I was tasked to write our class prophecy by my English teacher, for our last issue of the newsletter before we graduate from high school. I asked all my classmates what they want to be in the future. I listed them down and wrote a story about us meeting many years later, fulfilling our dreams. (Sigh) I wish I still have a copy of that prophecy. So I can read it again. And smile while doing so. I have lost touched with some of my classmates, and I have no idea if they became what we "prophesied". But I'm pretty sure I wasn't what I wanted to be 26 years ago. In that prophecy, I was a famous international writer, going back home for a class reunion and meeting all my former classmates.
I set aside my dream of being a writer during college. When you are loaded with science subjects left and right, you don't have time to just relax and think of stuff to write. Once, I wrote an essay, and asked some classmates to read it and make comments. Poor them. Probably couldn't say no to me. Hahaha. But that's about it. Unless you count my thesis. Lol.
Now you would wonder why I didn't take up Creative Writing. Or Journalism. Or any degree to make me a professional writer. Honestly, I don't know why I didn't. I didn't want to be a journalist, that's for sure. And I'm not so good at writing fiction. I just want to write stuffs I like, things I experience, facts I know.
Then I got a busy with my job. Which I enjoyed at that time. And now I realized why. Because eventhough it was on veterinary field, part of my job was writing. I wrote letters, presentations, product labels and fliers. But its not the same thing. Im still not a writer. And since I was enjoying my job, I forgot my dream of being one. But I would write poems here and there. Mostly intended for people I wanted to say something to. Words would come to me running. And I had to write them down right away, even in the middle of the night. So I won't forget them. I usually write poems about something I feel at that moment. Something I want to express to the person I want to give it to. And then words would come. I kept some poems. Some are lost. Some posted on Facebook.
But it was not enough. Part of me wanted more than just writing poems. The ultimate dream of somebody like me is to be able to publish a book. But I know that's not within reach. For now? But I have to write something. Just something. I have seen a lot of celebrities who has their own website, where they write their own blogs. I wanted to have one. And so when my cousin mentioned to me about blogspot, I was so excited. I couldn't help myself. I couldn't wait to go home and write a blog. It's like I'm finally doing what I really want to do. I'm finally going to have my own blog. I could write endlesssly. My mind was spinning, different topics popping left and right. I had to calm down and decide what I want to write first. And since blogspot approved my blogname as cristinakitchen, I thought I should write about food. That's why my first blog is about bento lunches. Which is one of the things that keeps me busy these days.
Up to now, I'm always excited about writing blogs. The joy of publishing it. But this doesn't end here. Who knows what's in store for me? I can only hope. And dream. For dreaming is free. And limitless. But for now, I can't express how happy I am for being able to write blogs. And share it to everyone.
A few years ago I had a major decision regarding my diet. I didn't have a medical problem or anything. I just felt like I have to be responsible with what I eat. I wasn't getting any younger and I know metabolism will slow down. Twenty years ago, I could eat whatever I want. And I would. But now, I have to watch what I eat. I'm more concious now. It's like I don't wanna put garbage inside me. Lol.
I became a pesco ovo lacto vegetarian. I was gonna say i was pesco vegetarian but then i also eat egg and other dairy products. Basically, I just stopped eating meat (pork, chicken and beef). Pesco-vegetarian or pescetarian is a semi-vegetarian diet that includes fish and seafood along with vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains. Lacto ovo vegetarian diet includes egg and dairy products along with vegetables and fruits etc. So when people asked me, I just say I'm pesco ovo lacto vegetarian. Which is ironic. It's either you are a vegetarian or not. No meat of any kind. Some people doesn't accept this kind of diet as vegetarian.
But it only lasted a year. I started eating chicken again. But just a couple of times a week, sometimes not even. So now I call myself semi vegetarian. Semi- vegetarian or flexitarian is a diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains with occasional meat like fish, chicken or ground turkey. Once in a while I would take one small bite of pork or beef, but that's about it. And I would feel guilty afterwards. I haven't eaten a whole pork chop in years, or a slab of beef ribs. I can't stand the sight of it on my plate, much less eat it all.
Now you may be wondering what do I get from this change of lifestyle? For I think, this is not just a change in diet, but a change of lifestyle. First, being a semi-vegetarian, or vegetarian of any kind, lowers the risk of certain diseases like cancer up to 50% and heart diseases for as much as 20%. It also lowers cholesterol level, improve blood sugar and lower rate of obesity. It was also claimed that it will increase a life span up to 3.6 years longer. So not only it will help me become healthy, it will also keep me from buying clothes that are one size bigger!
The benefits of a healthy diet can also make an impact on our environment. If you eat less meat, the less animals will be slaughtered/tortured, less animals will be raised, thus less pollution. Have you been in an animal farm? Have you noticed the smell? Raising animals requires more land, food, energy and water.
I know , I know, who can resist lechon? Fillet mignon? Korean barbecue, pork chop, lamb chop etc. But before you take that one bite, know this. Meat hardens blood vessels, shortens life span, increases risk of diabetes (type 2), Alzeimer's disease, and cancer.
But I'm not saying that if you stop eating meat, then you are eating healthy. There are a lot of things to consider too. Like regular exercise. And minimizing processed food intake. Studies compared all types of diet including low carb, low fat, Mediterranean, vegetarian etc. It all boils down to one. The best diet is the one that has minimally processed food close to nature.
But this doesn't end here. What about what you drink? Sodas and sports drinks has high calories and no nutritional benefits. Coffee has caffeine that causes insomia, nervousness, restlessness etc. Alcohols, of course, causes liver damage, brain damage, ulcers etc. Red wine, in low amount, is known for decreasing heart disease. Studies show that water, obviously is the healthiest and safest. But our option doesn't end on water. Pomegranate juice, low fat milk, green tea, fresh orange juice, beet juice, hot chocolate, kale juice, lemon juice, ginger tea, cranberry juice and coconut water are also healthy options.
So let me end this by challenging you. Do you have what it takes to lead a healthy lifestyle? Two thumbs up if you do.. if not.. its not too late.
Hi guys, I'm back! I wrote this article a couple of weeks ago but haven't been able to edit it for publishing. But I'm happy to share my fifth article to you. Hope you will enjoy reading it as much as my other articles. This time I will be talking about rice, which Filipinos and other Asians, can't live without.
I clearly remember only two scientific names during my Botany class, more than 20 years ago when I was a freshman student. One is Zea mays, which is corn and the other one is Oryza sativa, which is the domesticated rice. Probably because they are short and easy to remember. Why do Asians, specifically Filipinos, eat a lot of rice. Why is it our staple food. We eat rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner, sometimes even for snack..
Let's review the history of rice. Research shows that domesticated rice originated from China, and it was spread throughout Southeast Asia, later to Europe, then to America. But several years ago, Korea claimed that the rice originated from their country. Although their claim was received with scepticism. It was cited that their claim was for the country's interests.
In the Philippines, rice became the bulk of farm produce in our country.. but since Filipinos eat so much rice, we still import rice from other countries. In fact, Philippines is the hightest importer of rice all over the world.
You will know if the house is owned by a Filipino if you see rice cooker in the kitchen. Its the most convenient way to cook rice, instead of boiling it in a pot. Rice is always paired with meat, fish and vegetables. Ask majority of Filipinos, and they will tell you they cant live without rice.
There are different varieties of Philippine rice. These are milagrosa, malagkit, sinandomeng, dinorado, wag wag among others. But since we don't have those varieties here in the Midwest, we mostly prefer jasmine rice from Thailand because of its fragrance and stickiness. Brown, red and black rice are becoming popular too. It was claimed they are healthier that white rice.
Rice is also made into kakanin (native delicacies). Glutinous rice is usually used. We have suman, bibingka, biko, puto and sapin sapin. It is also made into noodles (rice noodles) like pansit. Cooked rice can also be made into fried rice or sinangag, and is very popular for breakfast. Served in combination with sunny side up egg and tapa, sausage/longanisa, tocino or fried bangus. Or you can make it into congee or porridge, like arroz caldo and champorado. Best eaten during cold and rainy days.
I don't know about you, but by writing about rice made me crave for it. I promised myself I will limit my rice to lose a little weight, but after writing this article, I think I deserve a cup of rice! Lol.. I bet you are also reaching for a plate and scooping rice from your rice cooker by now. Haha.. Happy eating!!
