Favorites and Influences.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

FAVORITES. “Puto.” Filipino steamed rice cake made from fermented rice dough. Eaten as is or as accompaniment to a number of savory dishes (most notably, “dinuguan” or “chocolate pork"). Puto is also an umbrella term for various kinds of indigenous steamed cakes, including those made without rice. It is a sub-type of “kakanin.” Before “fast food” stores proliferated, “puto” was the favorite snacks, chased down by “samalamig” fruit drinks. My childhood. (Photo: Serious Eats.) 🍢🥮🍡

INFLUENCES. “The Little Prince” or “Le Petit Prince,” a novella written and illustrated by French writer, and military pilot, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. First published in English and French in 1943. Mr Saint-Exupéry's works had been banned by the Vichy Regime. The story follows a young prince who visits various planets, including Earth, and addresses themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss. I used to read this book to my children when they were little. 📚🍎🎼

FAVORITES. Camping. Outdoor recreation. Can also include a recreational vehicle (RV) or sheltered cabin. But I prefer the old-fashioned way. The smell of dew-smothered grass in the morning, the cool sight of stars at night, the crackle of crickets and din of frogs. And, of course, the bonfire and cooking on firewood. Spending the night away from home distinguishes camping from day-tripping, picnicking, and other outdoor activities. Those are different. 🏕⛺️🏕

INFLUENCES. “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The 1973 rock opera directed by Norman Jewison, and co-written by Jewison and Melvyn Bragg, based on the 1970 concept album of the same name written by Tim Rice and composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which in turn inspired a 1971 musical. The film depicts the conflict between Judas and Jesus and the emotions of the main characters during the week of the crucifixion of Jesus. Even “nonbelievers” enjoyed this movie. 🎥✝️🎼

FAVORITES. Long road trips. Since I was a boy, I always enjoyed road trips. Open highways, scenic views, diverse humanity, living things out there. An ethereal sense of freedom. No one knows you out there but there’s always that transcendent possibility of knowing. Places and people. Inspirations are Paul Theroux’s “The Great Railway Bazaar: By Train Through Asia” and William Least Heat-Moon’s “Blue Highways: A Journey into America.” 🚔🏞🚍

INFLUENCES. “The Song Remains the Same,” the 1976 concert film featuring Led Zeppelin. I had to line up to see the movie at 6 AM, and got in around 10 AM! The concert took place in the summer of 1973 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The film premiered 3 years later in October 1976 in New York, Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, and in London two weeks later. The line, said by Robert Plant “Does anybody remember laughter?" stood out. 🎬🎸🎼

FAVORITES. Cheap drinks and stuff. Not necessarily “favorites” though. Just preferences. Vices, not imperatives in life. We can do without them. Mentally, if my drinks and stuff are cheap or inexpensive, I won’t be allotting such a budget to maintain them. Beers: PBRs and all other cheaper beers, for example. Goes with stuff and things. I am not into signature clothing, fashionable Nike shoes, ramens, kickass sunglasses etcetera. I am easy to please, low maintenance dude. Uh huh. 👟🍺👖

INFLUENCES. Khalil Gibran (1883 – 1931), Lebanese-American writer and visual artist; he was also considered a philosopher, although he himself rejected the title. He is best known as the author of “The Prophet,” which was first published in the United States in 1923 and has since become one of the best-selling books of all time, having been translated into more than 100 languages. “The Prophet” was a Top 5 reading favorite when I was in high school. 📚🍎🎼

FAVORITES. Paella or Arroz Valenciana. The dish consists of round-grain rice, green beans, pork or seafood/s, chicken, sometimes duck, and butter bean, cooked in olive oil and chicken broth. Seasoned with whole rosemary branches. Traditionally, the yellow color comes from saffron, but turmeric can be used as substitutes. Artichoke hearts and stems may be used as seasonal ingredients. My (late) Grandma Luz’s paella was the best ever paella that I had in my life. 🥘🍲🥘

INFLUENCES. “Iron Chef” TV cooking show on the Food Network. A stylized cook-off featuring guest chefs challenging one of the show's resident "Iron Chefs" in a timed cooking battle built around a theme ingredient. The cooking strategies were traditional. Nostalgic fun. When the show was canceled and then came “Iron Chef America,” I lost interest. The new show is all about selling kitchen gadgets and “artsy” cooking. Not my cooking delight. (Photo: Cooking Channel.) 👩‍🍳📺🧑‍🍳

Photo credits: Serious Eats. Culturesco.