Sampaloc Lake

Instead of having a Christmas party, my barkada (group of friends)
and I decided to visit Sampalok Lake in San Pablo City, Laguna.
Known as the City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo City is an hour's drive
from Pila.

Sampalok lake is just 10 minutes walk from the main avenue.

The majestic Mt. Banahaw can be seen from the lake.

Don't leave San Pablo without trying the famous Mami ng San Pablo.

Julie's Bakeshop makes these lechon shape bread.
A cheaper substitute for the real one.


Don't like lechon? Try this giant shrimp bread instead.

Christmas Reunion

I have been absent in blogging for more than 2 months now.
But I'm back on track.

Christmas was a busy month as usual. Couldn't help with shopping
late for christmas gifts and attending Christmas parties here and
there. This is also a time for our family reunion. My Dad's immediate
family usually held our family reunion on December 25. This year,
Dad decided to bring lechon (roasted pig) for the reunion. He has
been saving one of the pigs he raised in our backyard for this occasion.

Anthony Bourdain of "No Reservations" show did an episode on lechon
with Marketman last year. For our purpose, Mom called up a niece in
Iligan City for the recipe.

onions, garlic, bell pepper, black pepper, lemongrass
spices placed inside the pigs cavity

3-4 hours cooking in slow fire

finally!

WHB- Madre Cacao or Kakawate

Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium) or Madre Cacao may not be very
well known but for farmers like my Dad, it is a very useful tree.
He would use it as a line fence around our property, as a trellis
for our pepper, ampalaya or bitter gourd and sayote.

kakawate tree as trellis for pepper

The kakawate leaves he would place with the banana fruits,
instead of using "kalboro" or Calcium Carbide (used as source
of acetylene gas, which is a ripening agent) to hasten the ripening
of the fruits.

A favorite at home is smoking fish using kakawate. Place the fish
on top of kakawate branch and cover with kakawate leaves.
Serve the fish with a dip of fish sauce and kalamansi (key lime).

Submitting this post to Marilyn of Just Making A Noise who
is hosting this week's WHB event.
Haalo of Cook Almost Anything oversees this event.


Try also my other WHB recipes:


Laksa


Lechon Manok with
Lemongrass