A celebration of cultural parallelisms, SM Aura Premier hosted the ASEAN Culinary Delights Food Fair at the SMX Convention Center recently. Amid cultural presentations and cooking demos, booths featured sate pentul from Indonesia, onde onde from Malaysia, laksa from Singapore, chicken relleno from the Philippines, tom yum kung from Thailand and beef noodle soup from Vietnam.
There were also regional specialties: Banana heart kerabu from Brunei, nhom bankear misour (rice vermicelli shrimp salad) from Cambodia, ohn noh khkuk swe from Myannmar, as well signature dishes from Laos.
Bengal Blue monkey lions greeted guests at the entrance.
This reminded me of angel houses people usually put in their lawns/gardens in Thailand. Some put milk & sweets to please the angels (sometimes in the form of pets).
Colorful birds chirp of eternal spring in Southeast Asia.
Our region is known for hand-woven bags and other earth-friendly products. Perfect substitute for plastic!
Intricately carved bronze elephant & pumpkins. Cinderella would have traded her horses for these.
Fried weed with sesame seeds from Laos! Yummy weed :p
They pack their rice in compact cups made out of reed. Simply steam & enjoy! This would last for several days without refrigeration. Amazing innovation.
Vietnamese Pho on alert!:)
Tamarind: natural vitamin C!
Keep the ball rollin'!
For those who want to appreciate SE Asian cuisine further, Mrs. Mano Hirubalan, president of the ASEAN Ladies Foundation, says the ASEAN Culinary Delights cookbook might help. She says it "is a fruit of our efforts, envisioned as a gastronomic odyssey to introduce the delights of ASEAN cuisine which is unique, rich in taste, tempting to the palate, fragrant, enticing and a potpourri of colors.” There are quick & easy recipes for beginners as well as more challenging ones for those who are more advanced.
The cookbook is available for Php499 at Circle Events Cafe or through the ASEAN Ladies Foundation. Proceeds from the cookbook will be donated to Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Central Visayas to assist them in their medical and educational needs.