It’s a rainy Monday and PAGASA said we will have these monsoon rains for the next five days. Typhoon Egay hasn’t left yet and there is another one coming but has not yet entered the Philippine area of responsibility. I hope it will divert its course farther from the country.
Josef and I have thought about it even before we reached the market this morning, braving the early morning shower. He asked me what is the best food for merienda (snacks) on a rainy day. I suggested soup with crackers but he didn’t buy it. What about arroz caldo or minatamis na saging? Can you prepare both, he asked. Why not?
Arroz caldo or congee is best prepared with sticky rice and chicken wings with lots of fried garlic while minatamis na saging is the easiest version of cooking saba banana (Philippine plantains) but you can simply boil it or eat it raw, it does not matter. I bought eight pieces and a cup of mini tapioca pearls. We had this for snack this afternoon.
If I am not too lazy tomorrow, I will cook arroz caldo not for merienda but for dinner. Dinner today is fresh bean sprouts topped with crunchy flaked tinapa, another comfort food on rainy days like this.
The sun showed its face for a while so I went out to visit the garden and took a few shots. I love those silver raindrops clinging to the leaves after the rain.
When it rains, I yearn for Bulalo. hahaha! Was expecting a soup for lunch, but it wasn’t in our menu.
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I haven’t tasted bulalo for quite some time, I mean the real one complete with all those veggies and tasty soup. Thanks Fr. JBoy for visiting my blog.
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I always find your local foods so interesting Arlene, as they are so very different to the things we eat here.
Best wishes from England, Pete.
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We have so many local ingredients here that are cheap Pete so we can experiment on recipes if we want. I have jute plants growing in my garden, they are edible and full of anti-oxidants which I need.
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Like you I love soups too but the benefit of the rainy season is the presence of fresh bamboo shoots and saluyot (jute leaves); also fresh fish from the Abra River. You are making me hungry. I could imagine having that sweetened saba with some ice and milk to beat the heat. Yum!
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I haven’t seen fresh bamboo shoots yet in the market here, maybe they have plenty now in the province ‘no? Yes, sarap ng saluyot Lou at talong…..
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sarap! 🙂
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🙂
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Ay tita, tama. Nakakagutom pag rainy days haha. Sarap ng saba na snack ah.
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Any which way you prepare saba, masarap siya di ba Cel?
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Yes tita!
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This looks yummy. My prayers are with you and your family as you brave the storms.
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Thanks Tina. Typhoon Egay has already left the country and another one has entered the Philippine area of responsibility last night. We were assured it won’t make a landfall but it will bring monsoon rains to the northern Philippines including Metro Manila. I am praying there would be no flash floods.
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Are you in danger of any flash flooding? Do you live near a stream or river? The middle of our country has been drenched the last couple of months. So much flooding while our west coast is drying up and blowing away. Please stay safe.
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We are far from rivers, thank God but what I am afraid of is when it rains too hard in the mountainous areas surrounding our town, it becomes a catch basin. I am praying the monsoon rains would not bring too much inconvenience. Ten years ago, there was never a problem with flooding in our area, there were still so many vacant places to catch the rain waters. It is now too crowded with high-rise condominiums, commercial buildings and malls surrounding our place. It is a little scary when it rains nonstop. I am praying and hoping it won’t. Thanks Tina for your concern, I appreciate it very much.
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I will certainly keep everyone in prayer as you endure the monsoons. Is your little Nate high and dry?
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They’re in the heart of Metro Manila, so far they are safe and sound. thanks again Tina.
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Right
When the day is rainy
Some food would be yummy
And faces become bright 🙂
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Thanks kutukamus 🙂
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