My "I Can Eat These For Life" Food List

Its almost lunchtime and I am hungry. And because my motivation to write came from my belly, I am writing about the Top Ten Foodies I can eat for the rest of my life.

Filipino readers can very well relate to my Top Ten choices. If you happen to be anything else other than Filipino, I have added links for the recipes. I suggest you try them.

Here's my list:

1. Kare-kare and bagoong

Who wouldn't fall for this? The choice of meat would depend on the person cooking it. I prefer beef for my kare-kare. Chunks of beef simmered to perfect tenderness, the thick creamy ground rice and peanut sauce with eggplants, sitaw (a variant of string beans), and bok choy. Best served with bagoong alamang (Salted shrimp fry paste) and hot steamed rice. My mom makes the best kare-kare ever and I run over to her house every time she makes this. 

2. Lechon Kawali

This is a large slab of pork belly deep fried to perfection! The outer crunchiness of the pork skin combined with the tenderness of the meat is pure heaven! I love having lechon kawali with a dip made of soy sauce, calamansi (Philippine lemons) and chilis. Others would prefer a dip called "Mang Tomas" which can be bought in grocery stores nationwide. 

3. Ginataang Tulingan

There are many ways to cook Tulingan (Mackarel). Tracing my roots back to my ancestors who were born and raised in Batangas, the Tulingan is a staple. The most common way of cooking the fish is to to arrange it in a clay pot, seasoned only with salt and kamias (a sour fruit) and set to cook over a low flame for hours. Batangueños call this dish "Sinaing na tulingan." I prefer the other way they cook it - immersed in coconut cream and simmered over low flame. Batangueños add small pieces of turmeric adding more flavor to the sauce. The creaminess and spicy kick from the chilis are to die for!

4. Sisig

Love this exciting dish! It is a wonderful mixture of flavors and textures and would definitely would not be for the faint of heart. The original recipe is chopped portions of (just read the recipe). When I make my own, I usually get pork shoulder, boil the meat till tender and grill it for flavor before I start chopping it into little pieces. Sprinkled with a mixture of soy sauce, calamansi and chilis then topped with a fried egg. Goes very well with lots of rice. Perfect with beer too!

5. Steamed seafood (Shrimps, Crabs, Fish, Mussels, Oysters, Clams and Squid)

I have no recipe for this, and I could not find any on the web. Maybe because it is just that simple. Get your steamer ready, rub the seafood with salt and arrange them on the steamer. That's it! Others would prefer to grill it but I prefer them steamed. They come out more tender and yummy. You can eat them when they're done or toss them in a salad for more drama. The dip of choice for this would be spicy vinegar with a little fish sauce or salt. 

6. Pasta

I love pasta! Spaghetti and Meatballs, Mac and Cheese, Pasta Alfredo, Pasta Bolognese, whatever! However, I do not like the Filipino style meat sauce which is sweet and has sliced hotdogs in it. I want real authentic Italian pasta. When I make my pasta sauce, I usually place the ground beef in a skillet over low heat to render the fat. Then I chop onions and garlic (lots of it), toss it together with the beef in a crock pot, pour in a large can of Hunts' Italian Style Spaghetti sauce and let it simmer for 4-6 hours. Pour it over our pasta of choice for the day, top with parmesan and voila! I'm in Belly Heaven!  

7. Potato Chips

I can never get enough of potato chips! I have no preference for brands or flavors. I just love them, period. It is the perfect companion for long work hours, movie marathons at home, blogging or simply relaxing with a good book.  With the vast choices out in the market today, I get to try a different flavor to satisfy my craving. Mojos and french fries are also likeable variations, but I still long for the crunch and flavor brought to me by no other than my favorite potato chips! 

8. Pizza

Pizza is heaven in a box! I know many people will disagree with me, but my favorite pizza toppings are shrimps, anchovies and extra mozzarella. I get my pizza only from one local chain - Shakey's. Their Friday special is my favorite, of course because of the shrimps and anchovies. I love their prompt delivery service! I have purchased a Shakey's Pizzanatic SuperCard which gives me a free pepperoni or cheese pizza of the same size with your order, plus a big bottle of Coke Zero. I pay only for one party size pizza and I get one more party size pepperoni pizza free! Great deal. Oh, did I mention that this pizza chain also gives you a free pizza on your birthday? Happiness! 

9. Cakes and Pies

A diabetic with an insatiable craving for cakes? Yes, that's me! I love cakes and pies- Black Forest, Tiramisu, Devil's Food Cake, Blueberry Cheesecake, Apple pies, down to the simple homemade sponge cake with lemon butter icing. To feel that velvety texture on your tongue and palate is satisfaction with the capital S. I know it is forbidden to indulge in such things and I am proud to say that I still have control over my sinful desires. I indulge in a slice once in a while and that's it. I wish I never had this disease. If I could only make it disappear for one day, I would run to the nearest Red Ribbon Bakeshop and fill myself up with as much cake as my belly can hold! 

10. Ice Cream

Another sinful treat for me. I love ice cream all year round. I love having it in the summer, in the cooler months of  January and I even love having it during the rainy season! There are so many new flavors that have hit the market and I am eager to try them all. Selecta's Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is my current #1 favorite. Closely followed by their Hershey's Kisses Ice Cream. Magnolia Nestle has this delicious Speculoos Cookie Butter Flavor, currently my 3rd favorite. I have yet to try their Pistachios and Cashew variant. Before I do run to the grocery store for a tub of ice cream, I would make sure that I have my medications. I will be fine because indulgence for me is only 3 tablespoons max. 

I apologize to leave you drooling after reading my post. Would you share with me your Top Ten and make me drool too? Haha. I'd love to hear from you.