When you hear the word Bicol, one of the first things that probably comes to mind is "sili" or red hot chili pepper. It's easily associated with Bicol or the Bicolanos/Bicolanas. So when you're from Bicol, people expect you to "eat", or at least like, chili pepper or dishes peppered with with red hot chili. In Bicol though, chili is not only for dishes. It's also for refreshments! Sili shake, anyone?
Yes, some like it hot! But it's not actually pure "sili" shake. It's a buko shake with "sili". So it tastes sweet and a little hot. It's buko with red hot chili!
Aside from "sili", another popular Bicol trademark is "laing". I don't know what it's called in other countries but it's basically a spicy vegetable dish cooked in coconut oil. Main ingredients are "gabi" leaves, coconut milk and, yes, sili. This one is a combo meal menu in a local fast food in Bicol. Rice + pok barbecue + laing + drink at P84.00.
Another favorite Bicolano dish is Bicol express. It's a pork cooked in coconut oil with chili or "chilies" to emphasize the hotness. It's a pork dish in coconut gravy. This one is also a combo meal menu of rice + lechon kawali + Bicol express + drink at P135.00.
These are just some of popular Bicol brands. Whenever you're whisked away to Bicol region, don't forget get a taste of its traditional food and culture!
No comments:
Post a Comment