PINOY MERIENDA

There is nothing like a snack in the middle of a day's work. In the Philippines, we just love taking snacks - nay, eating is a national passion! In fact, a typical day would consist of 3 full meals, and two snack times (merienda) . These days, merienda would normally be an order of burger and fries, coupled with a large soda but sometimes something Filipino would be nice, too. Let's all give the tired burger-and-fries a rest and sample some of our (near-forgotten) Pinoy delights!

From the makers of tocino comes another Pampanga favorite. Turrones de casoy is made of caramelized cashew nuts wrapped in delicate wafer. Hardly a heavy snack but it will do as you wait for lunch or dinner.

The ubiquitous puto, but Biñan (Laguna) style. Very dry and almost tasteless despite the cheese topping. I suggest you heat it a bit and use butter instead.

Palitaw (literally, "to show" or "to make afloat") is made delightful by coating it in grated coconut, white sugar, and toasted sesame seeds. It is made of ground rice flour and plunged in boiling water. You know it is cooked when it floats to the surface ("lilitaw") .