Litratong Pinoy: merienda [snack]

flavored suman

Na "discover" ko itong masarap na merienda kamakailan lang---flavored suman. Meron silang 8 flavors, tulad ng macapuno, mangga, langka, coco-mas (latik), mais, ube at iba pa. Tita Lynn's ang brand ng flavored suman at may stall sila sa Market! Market!, Tiendesitas at Rustan's Supermarket. Hindi ko nga pala kamag-anak si Tita Lynn. Kakaiba lang talaga ang linamnam nitong flavored suman n'ya---masarap ipares sa kape o hot choco, kaya ko pina-plug.:P

Katulad ng maraming Pinoy, mahilig din ako sa merienda. Kapag weekend at nasa bahay lang ako, pagkatapos pa lang pananghalian, nag-iisip na ako ng kakainin sa merienda. Kung sinisipag, nagluluto ako ng merienda---madalas pasta at kung ano-ano pang naiimbento ko. Kapag wala na talagang maisip, meron banana-cue, turon at mainit-init pa na "paputok" at may pantulak pang Coke.

Like most Filipinos, I am fond of snacking in the afternoon. On weekends when I'm not going anywhere, I would start thinking of an afternoon snack right after lunch. When in the mood, I would cook pasta or whip up some invented dish. But when all else fails, there's banana-cue (deep-fried bananas with caramelized sugar), turon (banana spring rolls), and hot cracked, crisp-surfaced "paputok" (bread) drowned with a bottle of Coca Cola.

I recently discovered this delicious snack---flavored suman (sticky rice cooked in coconut milk). They have about 8 flavors such as macapuno, mango, jack fruit, coco-mas, corn, ube (purple yam). Tita Lynn's flavored suman has stalls in Market! Market!, Tiendesitas and Rustan's Supermarket (Tita Lynn is not a relative, by the way :P). I love this traditional suman with a twist---great with coffee or hot choco.

Cinnabon Stix and brewed coffee

Sa opisina naman, medyo umiiwas ako sa mabigat na merienda katulad ng pansit, pasta, iba't-ibang kakanin, burgers at pizza. Pero paminsan-minsan, may craving ako sa cinnamon rolls kaya napapalakad ako sa Cinnabon kapag coffee-break.

In the office, I try to stay away from heavy snacks like pancit, pasta, various rice cakes, burgers and pizza. But there are times when I get cravings for cinnamon rolls that make me walk to the nearest Cinnabon during my coffee-break.

Ito naman ang merienda namin ni Che no'ng bumisita ako sa Seattle kamakailan---creme puffs na may vanilla and chocolate fillings. Bumili kami ng isang dosena, bitbit namin papuntang Starbucks sa Pike Place Market kasi yon pala ang pinakaunang Starbucks sa kasaysayan ng kape. Kape at creme puffs---sarap!

Shared these creme puffs with my friend Che when I was in Seattle recently. We bought a dozen and brought it over to Starbucks at Pike Place Market, the original Starbucks. It was a one-time must-do for all pilgrims who love the dark brew. Coffee and creme puffs---perfect snack!

More tasty snacks at Litratong Pinoy