Strange fruit/Mandarin Orange Monday

I noticed this plant in my aunt's garden that I thought was an eggplant or a cultivar of Atis (sugar-apple).  The plant is about 3 feet tall.  My aunt told me what this plant/fruit is called but the name escapes me right now.

I did some editing and came up with something orange.:p

Linking to Mandarin Orange Monday

Pomelo Shrimp Salad

It's been awhile since I posted a pomelo shrimp salad, so here it is.  This is from Jatujak, a Thai bistro.  I love the succulent shrimps and luscious pomelo in this sweet-spicy concoction.  A scrumptious starter!

Linking to Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Going Bananas

 

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but apples are imported and can be expensive.  How about bananas?  It's a domestic product, available in the market all-year-round and much cheaper than apples.   I grew up in a place surrounded by banana trees [it's not a tree, though, but an herb] and coconut trees, among others; and my grandmother had concocted more banana dishes than you can imagine!  All parts of a banana tree are edible and extremely useful---leaves, flowers, heart, fruit, trunk, bark.  Admittedly, I took bananas for granted until I was an adult, living in the city and have to buy bananas by the kilo.

The humble banana, I discovered, is a wonder fruit.  Bananas consist mainly of sugar and fiber, which make them an ideal source of energy. No wonder it's a staple in the diets of athletes.  And as a trying-hard jogger, I eat a banana before a run, or when I skipped a meal. My mother has high blood pressure and high cholesterol level, and aside from prescribed meds, the cardiologist recommends a diet with Saba banana daily for its rich potassium content that can reduce the incidence of a stroke. 

Here are the health benefits of bananas:

1. Anemia - bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body's hemoglobin function.  Regular consumption of bananas and oranges in children from ages 0 to 2 may reduce the risk of childhood leukemia (American Journal of Epidemiology, 2004).
2. Heartburn - bananas have a natural antacid effect on the body.  Studies show that bananas can protect our stomachs against aspirin-induced gastritis.  And if you've been out partying and drinking alcohol, the best way in preventing a hangover is lots of water and a banana or two before going to bed.
3. Morning sickness -  snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.  And if you didn't follow #2, have a banana shake when you woke up with a hangover.
4. Ulcers - this is the only fruit that can be eaten without distress. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid). Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.
5. Blood pressure - bananas are extremely high in potassium, and very low in sodium---a perfect combination in preventing high blood pressure.  The US FDA has even allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
6. Healthy kidney - research published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health.  Bananas and many root vegetables contain high amounts of antioxidants phenolic compounds, necessary for effective detoxification of potential carcinogens.
7. Healthy bones - bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound that nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon.  This probiotic bacteria protects us from unhealthy bacterial infections and increases our body's ability to absorb calcium.  
8. Eyesight protection - research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of bananas a day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.
9. Constipation and Diarrhea -  due to banana's fiber content, it helps restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium). Bananas also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract.
10.  Stress relief and Depression - banana's high potassium content helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body’s water balance. During periods of high stress, our body’s potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted---eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without taking drugs.  Bananas also contain tryptophan, an aminoacid that converts into serotonin, leading to improved mood.  So when you're sad or stressed, feel better by eating a banana instead of going shopping, smoking or comfort-eating.
11. Nerves - bananas are high in Vitamin B that have been shown to improve nerve function.
12. Smoking - bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
13. Mosquito bites - many people report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling.

And when you're bored with ripe bananas, try banana chips.   I chipped a canine tooth a few weeks ago while munching on these banana chips [but it was serendipity---a visit to the dentist has been long overdue, anyway], so be careful.  I love munching on banana chips while watching TV---excellent jaw exercise.:p

How about some Banana Turon for an afternoon snack?  I added some brown sugar and slivers of ripe langka or jackfruit to slices of ripe saba before wrapping [and deep-frying].  Banana Turon ala mode (with vanilla ice cream) is perfect on this sizzling afternoon.

However you eat bananas, enjoy!

Sour [Maasim]

Ang kamias ay maasim na prutas na madalas ginagamit na pampaasim sa mga nilutong pagkain.  Ginagamit ito sa halip ng sampalok o kamatis.  Ginagawa rin itong atchara at pampagana.  Ang hilaw na kamias ay kinakain din...madalas, ito ay sinasawsaw sa bagoong (ginamos) o asin.

Kamias (Iba, Averrhoa bilimbi, Cucumber Tree or Tree Sorrel) is a sour fruit commonly used as souring agent for various dishes to substitute tamarind or tomato.  It is also preserved for pickling and prepared as relish.  Uncooked kamias can be eaten raw or dipped in rock salt or shrimp paste.

Posted for Litratong Pinoy

Medicinal uses (source): 

• Skin diseases, especially with pruritus: Reduce the leaves to a paste and apply tolerably warm to areas of affected skin. 

• Post-partum and rectal inflammation: Infusion of leaves.

• Mumps, acne, and localized rheumatic complaints: Paste of leaves applied to affected areas.

• Warm paste of leaves also used for pruritus.

• Cough and thrush: Infusion of flowers, 40 grams to a pint of boiling water, 4 glasses of tea daily.

• Fever: Fruit as a cooling drink.

• The fruit has been used for a variety of maladies: beriberi, cough, prevention of scurvy.

• Infusion of leaves also drank as a protective tonic after childbirth.

You are also invited to join Amanda at Self Sagacity and answer our Thursday 2 Questions.

1.  What are your strange food cravings?

2.  What is your "mood food" right now?

Shades of yellow [Photo Hunt]

@ mirandablue
gold hibiscus

Yellow is one of my favorite colors in nature.  Yellow flowers are especially warm and cheerful, and like bright sunshine, this color is energizing.

@ mirandablue
chartreuse Cymbidium

Chartreuse is halfway between yellow and green.  Other shades of chartreuse have been described as apple green, lime green, light grass green, light green with a tinge of yellow.

@ mirandablue
golden trumpet

The golden trumpet was blooming in my aunt's yard last summer.  I have been looking for the name of the yellow bud below---I thought it was hibiscus but it's not.  

@ mirandablue

Carambola or star fruit is a tropical fruit, the flavor is reminiscent of citrus fruit and varies from quite sour to mildly sweet.  It is usually used to flavor soups, salads, fish and meat dishes, also as garnish.  Looking at this fresh ripe carambola makes me crave for some.:p

@ mirandablue
carambola or star fruit

Enjoy Photo-Hunt

Mango Crepe

@ mirandablue

Let's take a break from the cholesterol-laden foods we have eaten during the holidays and enjoy something simple and sweet.  I am not much of a dessert person, and a perfect ending of a good meal for me is simply coffee.  If there's a dessert menu, I'd go for fresh fruits or ice cream.  So how can I say no to mango crepe?  It has all my favorite---fresh ripe mango, mango ice cream and chocolate sauce served on a bed of mango puree.  A delightfully sweet and comforting dessert.

Posted for Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Orange [Photo Hunt]

Found this tree with orange fruits along the dirt road in Caramoan on our way to Kulapnit Cave.  Fascinated at the clusters of orange fruits on the trunk and branches, I took photos and asked some locals to identify it.  Unfortunately, nobody seemed to know what this tree is called or if the fruit is edible.

My entry for this week's Photo Hunt

Kiwi and Mango con Hielo

kiwi and mango con hielo

I have been trying many different ways to beat the summer heat, and anything with ice is on top of my list. My fridge is half-filled with chocolate-flavored iced-candy, I made an apple fruit shake on Saturday and had halo-halo this evening. I also rediscovered Icebergs at Metrowalk and tried their Kiwi and Mango con Hielo and Mango con Hielo on two consecutive nights, while Franzia had Saba and Langka con Hielo. I love fresh fruits mixed with milk and shaved ice, it's simply heaven in this hellish weather. The combination of kiwi and mango is new to me but I love kiwi and mango is an all-time favorite---the flavor is quite interesting and delicious!

These are perfect for dessert or a snack on hot, lazy afternoons.

shaved ice with mango, nata de coco, topped with mango ice cream

Posted for Food Trip Friday and Food Friday

Shades of Spring & Summer - Lasang Pinoy Sunday

boneless buffalo chicken salad at Chili's

After reading a really bad review about Chili's service about a month ago, I got curious. My last visit to Chili's, in their old location at Legazpi Street, was a despideda dinner for a friend who was leaving for Canada. We had a fun time at that dinner---the crew was friendly, the ambiance and food were great, so I wondered what happened. Now in a new location at the plush Greenbelt 5, I had dinner there with a friend recently. The restaurant has an al fresco dining area and although it was a warm night, we opted to eat at the terrace.

You'd think I'm a sucker for punishment (hehe). I was actually bracing up myself for the long wait and terrible service. Fortunately, it looked like Chili's management took the bad review seriously and shaped up.

The service crew was attentive and friendly, service was prompt and the food delicious. I had the boneless buffalo chicken salad for starters, tossed in spicy sauce and bleu cheese, bacon bits, tortilla strips and pico de gallo; and grilled Blue Marlin with mango salsa for my main course.

Cool green salads, chilled fruits in season---like watermelon, mango and papaya; grilled sea food and barbecue. They're great for a summer cookout. Easy to prepare, light and healthy.

grilled Blue Marlin with mango salsa



More spring/summer foods at spiCes

Ruby Tuesday: red fruits

An areca palm with pretty red fruits I spotted in Corregidor Island two weekends ago. This specie of areca palm is widely used in landscaping. I'm not sure if the red fruits yield the same nut that old people chew with betel leaves, tobacco and lime.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday: red pineapple

Here's a beautiful native Philippine red pineapple I stumbled at the forest in Tayabas. In 2007, Philippines was the second in the world production of pineapple at 233 metric tons. Costa Rica was number 1, and Cote d'Ivoire came third. Aside from puree, juice concentrates, canned products, dried and fruit cocktail, native Philippine red pineapple is also an excellent source of pina fiber.

But do you know how the pineapple got a skin covering that resembles a human eye?

There's a myth that most Filipino children must have heard while seated at her or his grandmother's lap. It started with a farm girl named Pina who lived with her mom as tenants in a fruit plantation. Her mom was the hard-working type, and Pina was also hard-working---but not with the household chores. She loved playing all the time. The myth goes on to say that the mother, used to being too vocal with her careless ill wishes or curses on people who didn't delight her, was liberal on such habit on her daughter, Pina.

One day, the myth says, Pina’s procrastinations went too far for her mom to tolerate them anymore. The mother told Pina to get her wooden shoes from the under their hut. Pina went down their hut and looked under it. But on seeing her old rag doll, Pina's imagination started working. She was soon playing with the doll and forgot all about her task. Her usual dialogue of “I didn't see it,” when actually she wasn’t searching but playing, did it this time. Her mom shouted invectives at her and a curse---“May you grow dozens of eyes!” so Pina would stop mentioning her favorite dialogue. Then suddenly, Pina disappeared.

A search party looked all over the plantation for Pina but they couldn't find her. Then Pina’s mom saw a curious new plant growing at their backyard. It was covered with eyes. She remembered her latest curse on Pina and knew the plant was her. From then on, she called the plant, a pineapple, or “Pinya” in Filipino.

The myth on the origin of pineapple aims at fostering obedience, and that parents ought to watch how they deal with their kids.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday: wild berries

This bright red cluster of wild berries caught my eye while walking in the forest two weeks ago. They're almost hidden under the bushes so I didn't pick any. One basic rule when dealing with nature is be really hesitant with red. My grandfather always warned to stay away from any red insect, and yes, if in doubt, avoid red berries---especially the ones that birds don't like. I don't know if these wild berries are edible or not, but they look succulent and pretty and I couldn't resist to take a photo.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Lasang Pinoy: TriColore

My contribution to Ces' tricolore theme this week---fruits of summer. One of the great delights of summer is the myriad of thirst-quenching fruits. Is there any other way to celebrate summer than sit outside and dig into a big juicy watermelon? Watermelons are fat-free, low in calories, high in vitamin C, cholesterol-free, a good source of vitamin A and great energy booster.

More delightful colors at spiCes

Lasang Pinoy: Media Noche

My family is not traditional, and for years now, I spend New Year's eve at the Ayala Avenue New Year's party countdown with friends, cousins and nephews. I start preparing for media noche in the afternoon then leave for the New Year's party after dinner. By 2 am, we are all back home, still excited by the fireworks, hungry, and a little drunk. So when the neighbors are already sleeping, we are having our media noche around 2:30 am.

A cousin requested Carbonara so it's in my media noche spread. It's creamy and tasty, topped with bacon bits, and served with an egg omelet (just the yolk). My mother cooked her signature Valenciana, but it all disappeared before I could take some pictures! I also made fruit salad and experimented on a new beef dish. More photos in the coming weeks.:D

One of Filipino customs in celebrating the New Year is the 12 rounded fruits for media noche. The rounded fruits, said to symbolize money, are suppose to bring prosperity for the New Year. No, I didn't buy 12 rounded fruits but it was interesting to see the fruits available in the market. Here are some photos I took at the Market-Market fruits section.

all rounded fruits---our talisman for the New Year :D

imported pomegranate

dragonfruit and green apples

apples galore!

watermelon and pomelo

More scrumptious Media Noche at spiCes