CAUTION: The next entry you are about to read is not suitable for anorexic, shape-conscious audiences. You are bound to witness a mouth-watering and appetite-boosting text. Make it sure that before you read this, you have already had your breakfast as a king, your lunch as a prince, and supper as a pauper. Anyway, if you really cannot resist the egging temptation to gobble, then do as if there is no tomorrow. Just be sure to do your stuff tidily in the comfort room afterwards, okay?
I have a confession to make – I love food! I simply love eating. Hello, isn’t it obvious? Well, coming from a family of big, plump individuals, it is not surprising that I almost weighed 200 lbs when I was ten years old. I believe this is a factor because the society which nurtured me is a fleet of gourmet people who has never run out of grub in their refrigerators. Since my early childhood days, I almost did everything a free spirit could do, and I wish to emphasize EATING! Imagine, having my butt nailed on the chair of the dining table during most of the day, devouring for every sumptuous victuals my mom used to serve. Hell, I’m dead serious.
In the long run, I gained more knowledge as regards to my food preference through everyday experiences, food trips with my ever loyal peers, new adventures and rare experiments; however, there are a few which called the attention of my taste buds. And I dub them my crème de la crème.
Top 5- Animo Food Haus’ French Toast
The picture is still vivid in my memory: It so happened that I was one of the representatives of our school in the I.T. Cup Techno Kids 2008, an event hosted by the partnership of La Salle Computer Society (LSCS) and PC Med to pave way for the development of computer literacy in the country through quiz bees and interschool competitions. While waiting for our turn (high school category), my fellow representative and I decided to roam around the premises of DLSU, and it happened that we passed by the Food House and decided to have a light snack. Variety of foods (expensive, actually) welcomed us. But what took the wind out of my sails is this butter-filled, ham-and-cheese-sandwiched, toasted bread with that staggering aroma which when inhaled, will make you feel you are in Paris. Darn it, it even made me a few bucks poorer that day because I almost consumed everything. The fact that I am now studying in La Salle, I cannot still tire myself devouring with that stuff. I even have my lunch gulping down Ham and Cheese French Toast.
Top 4- Colette’s Buko Pie
Our annual summer vacation which we usually spend in Batangas would not be so euphoric and worth it if we will come home without our all-time favorite Colette’s Buko Pie. This stuff is made of pastry flour, eggs, and the fiber which can be derived from coconuts called coconut meat. I will never ever go back to Manila without bagging at least three boxes of this native delicacy. Seriously though it’s undoubtedly liberating to write, I can finish three boxes or more. The golden brown crust, the sweetness of the flavor, the tenderness and flakiness of the coconut meat, and that very affordable price make me come back to Batangas and more likely abide there.
Top 3- Pao Tsin’s Fried Sharksfin
There are times that it is not only the taste of the food that makes an impact to us. Sometimes, we inculcate memories from these stuffs, good or bad, which make us reminisce the old days, much to our nostalgia. Well, in my case, this is so true. During my senior high school days, of course, I had the fairest share of the pressures we all experienced. Being the Corps Commander of our CAT-I, lots of pain-in-the-neck made my head ten times heavier and harder to bear. With this, I usually compensate by gorging Sharksfin with my co-officers, my best friends. We share akin difficulties and stress and we treat this fun activity as our coping mechanism. Sharksfin is a popular dimsum in the Chinese cuisine. It is basically made of shark's fin and other additives. Siomai, dumplings, and steamed meatballs are examples of dimsum which are really appetizing and mouth-watering.
Top 2- Max’s Caramel Bar
I always scrutinize Max’s recipe of their caramel bar, but I always end up clueless and secret ingredient-deprived. I absolutely love this pastry. I can manage not to eat the Crispy Pata and the Roasted Chicken (my dad’s favourites) provided that I have three boxes or more of Max’s Caramel Bar. Caramel bars belong to the family of quick breads - breads which are leavened with chemical leaveners like baking powder, baking soda, or cream of tartar. Quick breads are uniform, reliable, and quick to prepare, whereas yeast breads often take hours to rise and depend on external factors like temperature, size of the pan, etc. Of all the pastires and whatnot, I find this the most appetizing one – the consistency of the flavour and that unforgettable taste make me crave for more.
Top 1- Takuyaki
Bagging for the gold, here is Musahi Takoyaki. Whoah! What else can I say? My mouth waters rignt now because of this seductive picture of Takoyaki. Above all, this is what I love the most – Musashi Takoyaki, or popularly known as Japanese Balls. These are made from the mixture of flour, traces of leafy vegetables, and the main ingredient – the octopus’ small tentacle inside it. Vendors use takoyaki pan in preparing this Japanese dimsum. I really don’t love Japanese or any foreign cuisine, since I am not familiar with it. Yet, I am really engrossed with Takoyaki to the extent that my day would be somewhat bum if I wouldn’t pass by the stall and devour at least four pieces of my most loved Takoyaki.
To sum it all, food is as vital as the air we breathe. Without it, we cannot perform different activities which require energy, something which can be found in the nutrients which are provided by the food we eat. Critically thinking, the food we eat reflects our personality. For instance, I am an adventurous person for the same reason that I love to venture into something especially trying this kind of food, experimenting on this ingredient which may complement my recipe. For others who are afraid to gain weight, they refrain from eating carbo-loaded stuffs; in this case, the food they eat is more likely greens. Still for others who are cibophobic, they do not eat at all. They are, to me, dunce since they do not appreciate life with food. But sometimes, food is also a risky part of one’s life because once you have had plunged into the bottle, it is hard to get rid of it, just as I hardly can stop gobbling with my crème de la crème. Many people usually give me a look of scorn when I enjoy eating in the public. What does the look mean? Maybe they are surprised with the way I eat, or still maybe they are enjoying to scrutinize my healthy way of feeding myself. I don’t know. For sure, they are giving me clues which I hardly understand. Anyway, I do not owe anyone any explanation. By far, I am still normal – neither obese nor underweight. Not yet anyway.
By the way, I am not a rice person. I don’t eat rice.
Submitted by:
PAGADUAN, Jesson A.
C31
