a different take on LUGAW

Last night, I texted my drinking buddy Guio for some rounds of cold Red Horse and hangout in the bar. As usual we started drinking and sharing stories and plans. We began to talk about alternative businesses for as everybody keeps saying that there is a global crisis.. I always smirk on this crisis because ever since we deposed the Marcoses the Philippines is in crisis ever since so what's new? Filipinos are used to it by this time.

Then I had an Epiphany, I had this concept for a food shop that is green, Earth friendly and very organic. The basic idea is that we lower our carbon foot print, produce all the things we would need and buy less of anything, use as much recycled materials and be sustainable. I even thought of living beyond the grid thus we have to produce our own power as well. It was a good thing that I started to talk about it, my drinking buddy is also interested and more over their family been trying to sell land at Pila, Laguna and it was a perfect spot for the Green Food Shop as i fondly call it now. My idea will also use recovered wood and building materials which should be sustainable and indigenous, organic planting systems and management of the farm as we will try to produce veggies and livestock that we might be needing. This will be lowering over head costs thus making the business sustainable and make some money as well. I have to research more on it but i do have the idea in my mind. The next thing for us is to check out the land and sources of our materials. Luckily Laguna has so many indigenous materials ready for our use. I'm quite excited by the idea already and can't wait to get a move on it.

As the night is passing and so many empty bottles we were going home when Guio asked if i was hungry. I said surely! After a drinking session, I am always hungry. I suggested to him that we eat something light and he has a good idea where to go. LUGAW QUEEN, is a new food shop at Crossing, Los Banos beside the National Highway. I have eaten there before and it was ok for the price and service they have. I liked it there for the service staff are courteous and helpful. Then we started to order. Looking up their menu Guio told me that I try their Palabok Lugaw. I love Pancit Palabok so i ordered two, one for Guio and one for me and a side order of Puto. The bowl of Lugaw is at PhP 25.00 each and the Puto is PhP 10.00. The porridge looked good with all the topping a typical Pancit Palabok would have been but instead of noodles, the lugaw was on the bottom and the starch for the dish. Was looking at it, its a very good idea, tried it out and it really worked well. The smokiness of the tinapa, crunchiness of the chopped chicharon and palabok sauce, topped with chopped onion chives and sliced boiled egg made it as palabok as it can be. Mixing everything to blend all the flavors well. Add in some kalamansi juice and chili garlic sauce with some fish sauce did the trick. Its like a new comfort food for me. I will surely come back for more! Go visit them for a taste of a new Lugaw in town.