“The egg rolls were time-consuming to make, but the bean sprout filling was cheap and tasty. Besides, a party just isn't a party without lumpia. Fried tofu braised with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and peppercorns wouldn't exactly break the bank,… — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share Image
“The egg rolls were time-consuming to make, but the bean sprout filling was cheap and tasty. Besides, a party just isn't a party without… — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share Image
“I dished up a big plate of longsilog---longganisa (the delicious sausages I loved so much I'd named my adorable dachshund after them), sinangag (garlic fried rice), and itlog (fried egg). Traditional Filipino breakfasts typically included sinangag and itlog, as well as some form of protein you chose---tocilog, tapsilog, spamsilog, bangsilog, etc. It sounded intense, but this hearty meal was the… — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share
“A pound of butter and Lord knows how much sugar later, my head was clear, my spirit was calm, and I had a delicious calamansi-ginger pie cooling on the counter. I twisted shut the lid of the jar I'd filled with the excess calamansi-ginger curd and sighed in satisfaction. Now this was bliss. The sweetness of the coconut shortbread crust… — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share
“I got a scoop of the double fudge coconut brownie ice cream in a waffle cone (the smell wafting through the shop as the employees made these from scratch made it impossible to resist), Elena requested the cherry lime rickey, Jae asked for an apple pie milkshake, and Adeena, who we had to talk down from trying to order everything… — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share
“The pistachio rose white chocolate bar was meant to represent Adeena's Pakistani background while the Mexican hot chocolate bar was for Elena's Mexican heritage (shocker). I wanted something simple and decadent for my Filipino chocolate representation, so Hana created white chocolate and milk chocolate versions of ube truffles. The subtle earthy vanilla tones of the purple yam paired well with… — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share
“My lola had made a few jars of her specialty, matamis na bao, or coconut jam, to spread on our pandesal and kakanin. The fragrant smell of coconut cream, caramelized sugar, and pandan leaves wafted through the room, the intoxicating aroma of the dark, sticky jam making my mouth water. I scanned the contents of the fridge, waiting for inspiration… — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share
“The latik is almost done. Get the bowl and strainer ready. And get the maja blanca out of the fridge." I followed her orders, and as my grandmother strained the browned coconut curds, or latik, from the coconut oil, I cut the coconut and corn pudding into squares. I helped my grandmother sprinkle the coconut curds on top of the… — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share
“I hustled back to the kitchen to prepare some salabat. The hot ginger tea would cure anything that ailed you, and I'd made a… — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share Image
“I promise not to treat you like some damsel I'm trying to save." "That's right. If anyone here is a princess, it's you.” — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share Image
“I've never known anyone with the capacity for sugar that Adeena has. She'd demolished her waffles, which she'd drowned in syrup, and then ordered… — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share Image
“Civil engineers go where their work is needed. Chicago is my goal because it's the biggest challenge, and could really use this kind of… — Mia P. Manansala Copy Share Image
