Pulutan

Talking about cookbooks ...
Here is a really great one.

Philippine Navy Ensigns Elmer Cruz and Emerson Rosales were among the hundreds of "rebels" ("heroes" to others) who were thrown into jail for their participation in the July 2003 protest action known as the "Oakwood Mutiny". To distract themselves from the depressing humdrum of incarceration, they started compiling recipes of "pulutan" - the soldiers trusty bar chow cum instant meal.

The result - a novelty cookbook entitled
"Pulutan - From the Soldiers Kitchen"
With a cover design adapted from San Miguel's pale pilsen, the book lists recipes accumulated over time from fellow inmates including the now Senator Antonio Trillanes ...
Some even from the very guards assigned to watch them,
And some taken from the memory of their childhood and adolescent misadventures.

Recipes range from the favorite Beef Salpicao,
To the defining Calamares a la Trillanes,
To mouthwatering Kilawing Puso ng Saging,
To the unusual Dinuguang Manok
And the adventurously exotic Adobong Dagang Bukid

Consider this sample:

"Balls 2 Men"

1/2 kilo cow or goats testicles

4 tablespoons onion rings

6 tablepoons choped ginger

1/2 teapoon chopped siling labuyo (chili pepper)

1 cup vinegar

1/2 cup freshly squeezed calamansi juice

salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook the testicles in enough water until tender then slice thinly.

2. Combine all ingredients in bowl. Mix well then serve.

Serves 4-8 persons

Yowwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Pulutan and beer(or spirits) ...
Not just the soldier's,
But also everyones comfort zone,
Bringing to mind the warmth or camaraderie of Pinoy barkadahan, pakikisama and kapatiran.
This cookbook has made it to my kitchen shelf,
I hope it makes it to yours


Oh -, oh, oh -

Perhaps because it is a product of jail time being served for alleged rebellion, the authors have veered away from any "political" recipes ...
It is strictly a cookbook - not a political statement.
Otherwise , they might have included concoctions such as "Pinaupong Pandak sa Kamatis" or "Nilagang Bumaliktad na Baboy" or "Hipong Kinorruption" and maybe even "(Pang)Ulo ng Isda na Dinaya sa Patis" ....
Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

















Pulutan - From the Soldiers Kitchen
125 pesos @National Bookstore
(beer not included)