Buko Halo at Weegol's

Coconuts are abundant in the Philippines. Halo-halo is roughly translated as "mix," it is a mix of different sweet ingredients like jackfruit, ube (purple yam- water yam), beans, leche flan, a scoop of ice- cream (also usually ube flavored) and ice shavings. 

Since the Philippines is a tropical country where humidity and heat are almost a year-round condition, its no wonder that Filipinos love this sweet and, most importantly, cold concoction. You can mix the refreshing and cool coconut with this favorite dessert at Weegol's. If you're like me and you're on a Butuanon historical tour- like what I did a few months ago when I showed a few sites of Butuan to my cousin, you can go give this a try too! 

Cabadbaran: Puto Maya and Tsokolate/Sikwate

Cooking implements for the making of Puto Maya and Sikwate/Chocolate/ Tsokolate (Fuji Xe1 + 27mm)

When someone mentions Puto Maya it always makes me remember the warm feelings that remembering my late Aunt Deling bring. This is one thing that can immediately transport me to my (oh so distant) childhood. I remember vaguely, the old house in AD Curato, the golden afternoon light coming from the window and a lot of people bustling around in the living room (?), and my late Auntie Deling. My memory is a very fickle thing so I can't remember the specific time when that was but I remember that it made me feel nice. 

Last year, my aunt, who came from Australia for a month-long holiday, suggested we go visit Cabadbaran and have their local delicacy Puto Maya. I was excited because I want to taste this rarely partaken dessert for the first time in years. I was so happy I brought my camera too. Yay for a photo opportunity!

Puto Maya wrapped in Banana Leaves (Fuji Xe1 + 27mm)

Whenever I think of Puto Maya, aside from associating it with my Late Aunt Odelona Vargas, it also makes me think of native chocolate drink more popularly known to us (Bisaya?) as Tsokolate or sikwate-- and ripe mangoes! I always thought that puto maya should be wrapped in the green banana leaf when served. That was always what appears to me whenever they brought us Puto Maya years ago. When I was finally able to have this rice cake freshly made from the source I was quite surprised that they served it without the triangle shaped leaf covering. 

Puto Maya, hot native chocolate drink (tsokolate), and ripe mango (Samsung Note 4)

So what is puto maya? Puto maya is basically made out of rice. It's glutinous (pilit) rice cooked in coconut milk and ginger and milk. I don't know if it's a category under Suman (Budbud) or it's a different kind altogether. All I know is that Budbud although is made out of sticky rice, the variations I saw of Budbud doesn't have ginger and they are mostly shaped like a tube. Puto Maya, on the other hand, is shaped like a triangle. Like puto maya, budbud is also covered with banana leaf (mostly). 

I'm trying to lessen my intake of rice from my diet, and rice desserts and variations of, don't really get me enthusiastic. But it's my Auntie Deling's dessert (I consider it to be), and I rarely have it so I was eager enough to try it again. The taste is mild, so people usually have it paired with its usual combo: Tsokolate. This pair could really make one roll their eyes in ecstasy (okay I'm lying- a bit.) top it with mango and you'd really be in rice dessert heaven. If you're into those sort of things.

Chocolate pot and Batirol (Fuji Xe1 + 27mm)

Disclaimer: The owner of the Puto Maya and Tsokolate stall in Cabadbaran Market cried in dismay when she saw me photograph her smoke- stained cooking implements. So to provide privacy and protect her pride I won't post the exact location of the stall. When you go to Cabadbaran though, make it a point to ask around for the best puto maya and sikwate and chances are they'll point you in the right direction.

Unusual word:

Batirol- Wooden (usual), or steel mixing utensil to mix the tsokolate into frothy goodness. Also called Batidor. Follow this link for more info.

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Historya by Antigo

Last year my friends invited me to have coffee and chika (chat) at this new place in Marcos Calo, Butuan City called Historya by Antigo. We had this dessert called Arroz Turrones. It's basically a fried "elongated" sticky rice dessert (usually encased in a banana leaf) topped with vanilla ice cream. My mother usually fries her budbod so it wasn't an unusual thing for me- but for my friends it was. Since it's served with ice cream- the experience was enhanced two-fold. Anyway, we ordered different menu from last time. I just wanted to tell you what are some of the food they offer. They offer an elevated art form of some of the local delicacies, with a twist. 

Last Monday I ordered Banana-Mango smoothie and my friends ordered Bottarga pasta and Antigo's mom salad. We enjoyed the food that we shared. I'm not a practiced foodie blogger but all I know is that I enjoyed everything. I loved the banana- mango smoothie, it made me want to try all the smoothies on the menu. It's not too sweet and I tasted the full banana flavor mixed with a hint of the sweetness of mango. 

I'm not a big salad eater too- although I was the one who suggested we order one (New year's resolution everyone!). My friends said they should've used a different kind of lettuce. In the end, we still finished everything anyway.

If you haven't been by Historya by Antigo Cafe you should come and drop by. The ambiance is great. There are locally sourced ancient relics and art as decor. It shares its business with a flower shop. You can just imagine how homey yet chic everything is.

Photos taken using Fuji Xe 1, Samyang 12 mm

Shellfish Ceviche

Chopped shellfish that Hinatuanon's call Lima-lima, spices, herbs, lemon juice and vinegar. This is Pangasinan Pacific Shore's popular dish.

Sea Food at Hinatuan #1

Fresh sea food produce at Hinatuan's island Pangasinan Pacific Shore Beach Resort.

Buwad Vendor

This photo wasn't taken in Butuan but I'm gonna cheat and post it here anyway. This sight is common in whatever place you visit. Go to any market here in the Philippines and chances are you will see people selling dried fish there. By the way, buwad (dried fish) are, according to them, quite cheap in La Paz (where I took this pic). For a bunch of buwad it costs only 100 pesos.

And by the way, it tastes good!

Corn Coffee in the Morning

I bought a corn coffee pack last night after being attracted by the tagline: "Coffee used by our Forefathers."

I remembered drinking this kind of coffee before and was disappointed. Plus the sedimentation wasn't pleasant to me. But I drank corn coffee while I was in Cagayan de Oro and I remembered liking it. It costs 1 peso per sachet years ago.

Anyway this morning I was delighted at how delicious the roasted corn coffee by Sunrise company is. Even the dregs was delish! I was curious so I searched for the info of the company. I learned that Sunrise Corn Coffee is manufactured at Bayugan, Agusan del Sur! Woot a good local product!

So if you want to try another caffeine free alternative to your coffee why don't you give corn coffee a chance. ;)

P.s. If the sunrise company happens to stumble upon this blog post: I accept food photography projects too. :)


P.p.s


All recent 2 megapixel photos are taken using my Samsung Galaxy Y, enhanced by Pixl-r-Omatic, uploaded by Blogaway.

Health Benefits of Corn Coffee Sunrise Corn Coffee

Big Flat Bread

Another player has entered the arena for pizza shops in Butuan and its called Big Flat Bread.

Its located at JC Aquino Ave, beside the New Aling Cora restaurant. (this area is starting to be a hub for food lovers.)

We ordered Heart Attack last time and my initial take on their pizza is good. The crust is not too hard nor too thin. The toppings are relatively generous too. Bonus: Their wifi signal is pretty strong! ;)

Chicken BbQ

Chicken barbecue and unlimited rice at Lutong Bahay ni Aling Cora.

Lechon Manok

Roasted chicken. Yum.

Taho!

A taho vendor got some business from people waiting for their turn at the ATM machine. Tao- is a soya based dessert that's usually topped with sweet brown syrup.

Want Some?

Putong balanghoy for sale! Only 5 pesos each!

Cheesey Cheese Pizza

I used to play this game at an arcade in Smallworlds called Cheesy Pizza. Anyway, it has nothing to do with this post except that I am posting a photo of Calda's cheese pizza. Yum.

Balanghoy

Puto Balanghoy-- Steamed cassava cakes!

Dinner at The Island

Dinner with friends at The Island Restaurant at JC Aquino Street. As I remember it we had chicken barbecue each, sisig, and pancit canton.

Burger Multiplied by Two

When I was in Manila I've seen a lot of stalls selling buy one take one burgers. I tried one once when I was really hungry but it was like eating paper. Tasteless. When I got back from my trip I saw Rose bakeshop selling this buy one take one burger promo too but I was hesitant to try it because of my previous experience.

To cut it short: Rose bake shop's burger is now a regular snack for me and my cousin. 32 pesos for two burgers is a good deal. It is more flavorful than one would expect. Although that same cousin will be observed muttering, "meat extenders...mmmm...good," every time she eats one.


Photo taken at Gaisano ground floor.

Puto Pao

It's a combination of puto (usually round steamed rice cake) and siopao (steamed bun with meat filling). You can buy it here in Butuan at Ground Zero Cafe at Pizarro Street across from Timberlanes. If you've never tasted this before, be sure to drop by the cafe and try it. It's delicious and filling. If you like puto and/or siopao you might like this too.

A box of puto pao is a good (if not better) alternative to buying a box of donuts or other sweets as gifts.

Bichu Bichu

My cousin bought a couple of bichu-bichu from a street vendor in front of Asia Link Store. It's a dessert composed mostly of sticky rice and caramel.

Palabok from Jollibee

The first time I tried eating Palabok at Jollibee (I think it was either at CDO or Iligan) I was instantly turned off. It was salty. How salty? It's like eating rock salt. That's how bad it was. Since then I haven't eaten Palabok in any Jollibee outlets until a couple of years from that first time.

In between those times I longed for palabok at Red Apple here in Butuan and palabok at Tree Garden. I thought that Jollibee's palabok was intentionally that awful. I am glad that I gave Jollibee a chance and tried their orange colored noodles again.

This post is dedicated to my friend Annie Marie for introducing me to this food and making me love it. :)

I searched the net and found these recipes if you are curious. Seasite, Philippinecountry.com, Pinoymix.com.

Santol and Green mangoes

For sour-foods loving people. This one's for you. :)



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