November 28, 2008

A school cafeteria lunch

I just realized that though I've featured quite a lot of food in my blog, I've never posted any Filipino food. So I've decided to share my lunch with you: lechon kawali. (Please pardon the plate—it's from our school cafeteria.) Lechon, or litson—if used without a second word specifying the meat—is a whole roasted pig and is usually served only during special occasions. Lechon kawali, which probably started as an attempt to replicate lechon at home, means pan-roasted pork, though it's not really roasted. It's pork belly with the fat and skin still on (very important!) boiled with salt, pepper and garlic until tender, drained and patted dry, then deep fried. (No, it's not very healthy at all, and I just know I'm going to get a scolding from my husband as soon as I publish this!) My dipping sauce was liver sauce, though some prefer a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and sili (capsicum pepper). Then of course, there's the ever-present rice, a staple of every Filipino meal. Rice here is not treated as a side dish—it's not meant to be eaten separately, but together with the main dish. Tomorrow, I'll show you what my side dish was.

lechon kawali with liver sauce and rice

17 comments:

Layrayski said...

First! (j/k)

Its nearly midnight so this photo got me thinking about having a midnight snack. tsk tsk tsk. Nakakagutom naman. =P

lunarossa said...

This looks and sounds delicious, Hilda! Can't wait to see the dessert. Ciao. Antonella

Olivier said...

amusant cette différence avec le riz, en effet chez nous le riz est un accompagnement. tout cela semble très bon.
entertaining this difference with the rice, in effect to us the rice is an accompaniment. all that seems very good.

Fio said...

Wow! Lechon – this is a name of famous polish poet! (Jan Lechon) But I don’t suppose that he has something in common with Filipino food :D

Jules said...

Who cares if it is healthy it tastes wonderful - I have a friend who does this dish - yummy!!!!

Tamera said...

Masarap! This looks delicious!

angela said...

This looks so good I could eat it all up now.

USelaine said...

Everything looks like warm comfort food - just the thing for winter time.

nobu said...

I have never had it, but i have heard it and also seen it on TV.
I suppose the surface is crispy and inside is jucy,looks delicious!!

NYD said...

I worked with a guy from the Phoillipines and he used to bring in food like this all the time. It was always tasty!

You have some really cool pics on this blog. I really liked the motorcycle.

Unknown said...

After reading your description, looking at your plate makes my mouth watering! It must be delicious! I've never tried any Filipino food...

Hilda said...

Nobu:
Yes, you got it perfectly! That's why it's important to keep the skin and fat on. The crunchy skin with the soft meat is irresistible! As Jules said, it's yummy!

vero said...

Gnamm......very good.

escape said...

now there goes the lechon kawali that i wish to see.

Ken Mac said...

this looks scrumptious!

Ming the Merciless said...

I love roast pork too. But I only eat them once in awhile. Like you said, not the most healthy food. ;-)

turtle said...

I love lechon kawali, thanks for featuring.