Food and world peace

All along I thought it is just a Philippine phenomenon (or Asian or African problem for that matter). I haven't been watching any foreign news channels lately but when I did yesterday, the new anchor said that food has become a global crisis as affected by climate change. It has definitely affected crop, livestock and fish production. Some areas are heavily flooded while others have cracked fields due to much drought. Food has now become a commodity that tests a country's political and economic powers. I fear that access to food will become like those in the historical war movies or documentaries of personal accounts of people who experienced it. This has gone beyond food preference (being vegetarian or vegan) or fad diets (low carb high protein diets, grapefruit or cabbage soup diets). I have this friend whose family is well off. Whenever she would eat out, there will always be some leftovers. One time a companion pointed it out to her to finish her food. Her reply? "Eh, ako naman nagbayad" ("Well, I paid for it"), implying that she can do whatever she wants because she paid for it. Boy, was I blown away. I hope those people who have access to food (financial and physical access) will think beyond themselves and know that their i-can-eat-whenever-whatever-i-want-so-i-can-throw-it-away-or-give-it-to-the-dogs days will come to an end. One way or another, the food crisis will catch them up. So eat up everything on that tiny plate of food knowing that there are many people who haven't had any decent food and water for the past weeks or months.

Counting the summer days

Have you had your favorite summer food? I myself have yet to have the halo-halo. I remember during my college years when there was a small stall near our apartment that sells halo-halo at P10 a cup, a good deal i may say since the prices now has gone up. Now I think a cup of halo-halo costs around P15-25 depending on where you'll buy it. I also had my constant fill of ice cream cone, thanks to the summer discount of Mini-stop which costs us only P10/cone. And of course, summer will never be summer without going to the beach. My all time fave beach foods include pork and chicken barbeque, juicy watermelons and muskmelons, ice cold fresh fruit juice...uhmm my mouth waters just imaging myself on the beach preparing these foods for my family.

Since we're counting down the days left for summer, we have to hurry up with our activities and enjoy the time with families and friends. Activities with families may not necessarily mean spending a lot of money. Growing up in Iloilo allowed us to have easy access to the beach but I remember one time when my mom won't allow us to go because we didn't have money to buy extra food to bring to the beach. I was kind of frustrated for I thought we need have any food as long as we can enjoy and have our swim. Simple activities may just be a mat, some cold water and a few bread brought to a nearby field or park under a late afternoon sun or just visit an old friend or relative who lives nearby but has not seen each other in a month or two. Summer is a great time to reacquaint the kids with cousins they rarely see, for this may establish or re-establish their friendships. Of course, it will always be fun to have some food along the way.

Pancit molo of Ramehi Foods

Being an Ilongga, I grew up eating pancit molo, sipping its hot clear soup and consuming its meat-filled noodles. In college, I discovered that other people called it "ulo ng madre" (probably because the molo has an excess noodle part which looked like the veils of the nuns). Actually I don't know how it came about, but i think it was a variation of chinese dumplings and a distant relative of the italian tortelinni.

Among the pancit molo I have tried, only one has remained my favorite..the one homemade by Ramehi Foods. Based in Iloilo City, you'll know that they use the right combination of ingredients unlike others that have gummy noodles and unpleasant smell. The pancit molo of Ramehi Foods has noodles that are thin and light, and nice egg-y aroma. Available in selected supermarkets in Iloilo City, all you need then are chicken pieces, garlic, onions, chicken cubes, water and green onions. Then viola! You have your own bowl of pancit molo. You could also try their molo wrapper if you want to make your own filling. I have tried using it for my siomai (actually not my recipe, I just buy the Magnolia prepared siomai filling), it turned out great.

For orders, just contact Monet of Ramehi Foods at (033) 509-6026.

Drooling over Claycakes

Cakes, cakes and more cakes...Who wouldn't be happy to even have just a mouthful especially if it's made by Ate Karla of Claycakes. We are so lucky that she's a cousin of my hubby Jojo. She made our beautiful wedding cake with signature caketopper and luscious chocolate sauce (yumyum!).

It is one of those things you can't get enough of. For my father Rusty's 60th birthday, Ate Karla was kind enough to accommodate me in her busy schedule. Though he's an accountant by profession, my father is a farmer at heart. So that's the concept, a cake with my father and some animals as topper. Boy, it was a hit! You'll be the judge. See the uncanny resemblance of my father and his cake topper?

His cake..or what's left of it anyways ;)

A friend of mine is getting married this year. So more than a month ago, I accompanied her and her mother to Ate Karla for cake tasting. On the way, yeah, I was cool but deep inside I was esctatic, thinking "Would I just watch have those yummy cakes o would they share even a bit?". Upon arrival and after a few introductions, Ate Karla served us (US!) her lemon and chocolate cakes. My friend got to share her piece with her mother, while I, without batting an eyelash, ate up (actually, it was more like gobbled up) my portion. I didn't even think about sharing ;)... hmm I thought about it only when I saw the crumbs on my plate (hehe sorry Ri!). Uhmmm, yummy!.

Actually what reminded be of Ate Karla was the invitation to the birthday party of her youngest son Gio. Probably the whole clan will be there along with the family's friends so definitely it will be one great party. Of course, one thing to watch for is the birthday cake (which actually started it (as in Claycakes) all as for the case of her eldest son's birthday). It will definitely, definitely be one of those cakes you want your picture to be taken with......and may we get to have a piece of that gorgeous cake, pretty please?!