Philippine Mango

Mango is the Philippines National fruit, you could see mangoes in fruit stall, groceries, supermarket and even on drive ways all year round. During summer is the best season for mango, it is known to be sweeter on its season though the availability is all through out the year. This fruit can be consume at any how you liked it to. It can be pickled mango, dried mango, baby mango, unripe mango and ripened mango, the taste differs but its still really good and healthy. 

There are 3 most distinct type of mango in the Philippines, we have the so called Carabao Mango which is commonly eaten ripe with a very sweet and delightful taste. It is rich in Phytochemical nutrients, Vitamin B, C and E as well.Carabao Mango is best eaten with Suman (Philippine rice cake/stick wrapped with banana leaf), it is also good toppings for your morning oatmeal or as a desert after your meal.

Another type of Philippine Mango is the Indian Mango, its strange to have its name as Indian Mango right? also called Katchamita. This can be eaten ripe, but best unripe, some likes the young or baby Indian Mango eaten with either salt and pepper or with cooked shrimp paste. This mango grow in anyone's backyard, farm or even just on the road sides, the seed of a ripened mango could easily grow in a good soil. I have about 2 mango tree in my backyard and about 4 in our farm and all were Indian Mangoes. Schools serve this mango to students during their break, which is healthy and light on every bite. Mango seeds usually are hairy or fibrous.

Apple Mango is another type with its lovely red, orange, yellowish and green combination of colors. This type of mango has the same taste as the others, and commonly eaten on the same way, either ripe or unripe. It is cheaper in the market compared to the Carabao Mango.



Some pickle this fruit and some make this as the commonly known Dried Mango which is being exported in other countries, Dried Mango is good and tasty yet this comes with sugar content which is not advisable to consume a lot when eaten, specially for the diabetic consumers. Mango as well is being used as ingredient on some delicacies and salads like Chicken and Mango Salad, Mango Salsa, Mango Misu and Mango Ice cream to name a few.

"Dinakdakan" Ilocano's Best Pork Recipe in the Philippines

Dinakdakan is a term used by Ilocano's as name for this grilled pork recipe. It is a well known recipe in all Ilocano town in the Philippines and has been adapted by other regions because of its delightful taste and easy preparation. We have different ways of preparing Dinakdakan these days, as many make innovative twist on its taste and preparation.



Here are the ingredients you would be needing to cook Dinakdakan, the following needs to be grilled:

Pork's ear (known to be crunchy and chewy)
Pork's nape
Pork's tongue
Pork's liver
Pork's intestine (optional grilled or boiled)

For the seasoning, you would be needing:

Either Lemon, Kalamansi, Lime or Vinegar
Chopped onions
Chopped chilli
Chopped green onion
Salt
Pepper
Pork's brain (boiled)
Mayonaise (optional)

Direction:

1. Grill all the pork parts and boil the pork brain
2. Slice the grilled pork into small desired sizes
3. In a bowl, mix the sliced grilled pork with the boiled pork brain and the rest of the seasoning
4. Balance the seasoning by adding salt and pepper
5. You can mix the mayonaise if the pork brain is not enough but this is optional. You may
    or may not use it depending on your style.
6. Best serve with rice.



Tips:

- In order to enjoy this recipe, it is better to choose pork parts that has less fat on it.
 - It also goes together with beer or any alcohol drink


You can try it yourself and you will surely like it. Enjoy!