Ilocano Favorite Snack

This is Ilocos empanada, the favorite snack of Ilocano.

Come to Ilocos and you will find empanada vendors along the streets of Ilocos provinces selling empanada. There might distinction of Ilocos empanada aside from dough which some made it from rice flour but also the ingredients where the wrapper wrap the delicious ingredients.

One thing, empanada in Vigan have Vigan longanisa (sausage) that has the aroma of garlic and not so oily sausage. Then add the cooked then sliced egg and then the usual ingredients of onions, pepper, sometimes papaya. Wrap that in deep fry until the wrapper turn into brown or orange.

Kampa (Spiny Lobster)

Called kampa in Ilocano foods, this spiny lobster is hard to resist though some say it has  high cholesterol level.

There are two kinds of lobster, clawed lobster and spiny lobster. Of the two, clawed lobster is abundance in Ilocandia. Only few kind of spiny lobster can be found here in north. Locally known as kampa (and ipes when not yet fully grown-- as big as little finger), this spiny lobster is colored chocolate, and with its name, it has spikes and two long antenna. In seashore, some fishermen can catch this kind of kampa.

Though it is best to grilled or fried and laga. Kampa is also best to cooked as sinigang. Though some says it has a high level of cholesterol, but the smooth meat that can be found in its tail is so irresistible. With just tomato or pias, kamote leaves and seasoning. You'll love eating it with other sea foods.

Begnas Festival 2

Here's more deliciously served menus during Begnas Festival 2010 held at Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur.

Naduma-duma a dasar

Begnas Festival Delicacies

Kalabasa Cake

Biko with Leche Plan Toppings

Kalabasa Cake

Kalabasa Cake

Mga kailangan

• 2 ½ kalabasa
• 3 condensed milk
• 2 margarine

Paraan ng Pagluluto

1. Balatan ang kalabasa at ilaga.
2. Gadgarin ng pino ang kalabasa.
3. Ilagay sa kawali, ilagay ang margarine at condensed milk.
4. Haluin hanggang maging malapot.
5. Ilagay sa bandehada at ihain.

Begnas Festival

Begnas Festival, an annual feast of thanksgiving by different tribes in Ilocos Sur. Tribes that include Bag-o, Kankanaey, Itneg and Tingguian. They gather in an identified upland municipality and dance tadek, dance lablabbaan or played indigenous musical instruments. But of course, different cousine identified with their taste... here's some of dishes well gonna love to taste...

Tinunong Paltat (Grilled Catfish)

Sinursuran

Sabungay Balls (Banana Bud Balls)

Rellenong Kappi (Stuffed Native Crab)

Ginataang Langka

Kapet-Kapet

KAPET-KAPET

(Side Dish)

Ingredients

• ½ salop malagkit nagiling
• ½ puting asukal
• 3 pieces nakayod niyog
• 10 dahon ng pandan

Procedure

1. Ipakulo ang nakayod na niyog. Haluin ito hanggang maging malagkit.
2. Pakuluan ang pandan leaves.
3. Paghaluin ang malagkit at puting asukal. Gamitin ang tubig na pinagkuluan ng pandan leaves upang ihalo sa malagkat at puting asukal. Haluing mabuti hanggang lumapot.
4. Ibalot ang plastic wrapper sa ibabaw nito. Gamitin ang langis ng latik, ilagay ito sa ibabaw ng plastic at ikalat upang hindi kumapit ang ilalagay na malagkit.
5. Pagkatapos lagyan ng oil, lagyan ang bandehado ng hinalong malagkit.
6. I-steam sa malaking kawali.
7. Pag naluto na ang malagkit, hanguin ito at palamigin.
8. Lagyan ng latik ang ibabaw nito at irolyo ang malagkit (huwag isali ang plastic).
9. Hiwain ang nakarolyong malagkit.
10. Puwede nang i-serve.

Mango Salad

A very Ilocano taste.

The salad is made from grated young mango (native). No need to need. Just top and mixed with ginisang alamang (aramang), usuarry a sweet and sour tast, mixed it well. Put in plate. Then, dyaran... the taste of salad that has never been served in many restuarant.

It usually best paired to grilled tilapia or bangus.

I tasted this salad at Sigay, Ilocos Sur. I tried to make this one, but I can't replicate the one I had in this upland town of Ilocos Sur.

Pasayan

Ummm... masarap na pasayan. Hindi na kailangan ang komplikadong pagluluto nito. Ipakulo lang ang pasayan sa tubig, lagyan ng asin at seasoning. At dyarannn.... heto na ang masarap na pasayan. Actually, ang pasayan na to ay nakuha sa ilog sa Sigay, Ilocos Sur. Native ang dating, mas masarap, mas malinamnam

Who Wants Sinigang

This fishes are catch in the 'katangriban. Usually, they are catch through banniit. They have names but i forgot. Anyway, this can be deliciously cooked into sinigang. Try putting some pias, and wow, you gonna love the sabaw.