Tabaco City, Albay, Philippines

by Renee Estanislao-Cope
(Tabaco City, Albay, Philippines)

Summer sprees meant staying for days in rented beach resorts that abound in Albay, Philippine shorelines, or going up the world-famous Mayon volcano where quaint mountain-side cottages are perched.

Having the much-deserved break from my grueling academe job, I crave for nothing but the dewy mornings either up the slopes or down the coast, with the golden sunrise in the horizon, inspiring me to explore the shores and nearby resorts with the kids and my husband.

It ignites me to tinker in the resort kitchen as well and get on with the gastronomic delights I have been planning to create.

Finally, I made my long-awaited chili flakes, mixed it with sautéed garlic-ginger-onion and covered it with olive oil then preserved it in a small bottle until ready to use. Right on the picnic table, I’ll spread it on top of charcoal-grilled fish or vegetables, ready to be blown by its spicy kick. Yummy!!!!

Just a few minutes after, for merienda (Filipino snacktime), I suddenly had this craving for penne pasta. The cream cheese pesto I stored in the ref still works so I dumped a quarter kilo of penne in boiling water, salt and oil and after 11 minutes, mixed in the cream cheese pesto. I loved the way the basil strips still looks fresh even if it stayed long in the ref already. Of course it wouldn’t be complete without the generous sprinkling of grated parmesan cheese.

My husband had a different craving: banana fritters. Good thing we had a stock of saba bananas that were ripe at the perfect time. Perfect with ice-cold coca cola stored in the huge cooler! My snack this summery afternoon… simply glorious!!