Tamales - steamed fish in banana wrapper

Tamales - steamed fish in banana wrapper 

All over the world the trend of cooking is to go back to simple, natural and inexpensive way. 

Dr Abe V Rotor

 

Home recipe tamales. The rule is to cook naturally. Wash fresh fish, liberally add sliced ginger, onion (shallot of sibuyas Tagalog), a dash of salt. Wrap with wilted banana leaves, each equivalent to one serving.   

Fish with ingredients before wrapping.  To prevent crust, place banana leaf stalks at the bottom of the pan as shown here.   

 

Fresh dilis cooked in tamales, a simplified recipe from the original Mesoamerican tamale made of meat, corn starch and other ingredients. Other fish like tamban, anchovies, ipon, are also cooked this way. 

 Another fish, Ayungin, is also steamed but without banana wrapper.  ~

Stay healthy and fit - eat more fruits

Here are five fruits in season: Mangosteen, Marang, Caimito, Pomegranate, Sineguelas
Dr Abe V Rotor 

                            

Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is unique for its appearance and flavor.  Mangosteen is often revered as "the queen" of tropical fruits, particularly in the South-East Asian regions. It is rich in Fiber, Magnesium‎, Calcium‎, and Carbohydrates. The rind is used as traditional medicine for the treatment of abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, infected wound, and chronic ulcer. It has antioxidant, antitumoral, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.

Marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus), also called terap,marang, johey oak, green pedalai, madang, tarap, or timadang, is a tree in the mulberry and fig family Moraceae. It is rich in Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron and Vitamin C. A Ritual in Sarawak: leaves are hang on the door to drive away evil spirits from entering the premises to steal men's testicles. Studies show that marang contains Artosimin that is anticancer, and antioxidant. Study investigated the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential, so with the seed may be explored for its adaptogenic properties. (Adaptogens or adaptogenic substances, compounds, herbs or practices refer to the pharmacological concept whereby administration results in stabilization of physiological processes and promotion of homeostasis, for example, decreased cellular sensitivity to stress.)

Caimito (Chrysophyllum cainito) is high in fiber, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Carotene , Thiamine, Riboflavin Niacin, Ascorbic acid, and Amino Acids.Caimito has the following medicinal uses:

• A decoction of the bark is given for dysentery.
• The latex is used as a resolutive in abscesses and, dried, as a drastic anthelmintic, capable of expelling or destroying parasitic worms.
• The fruit is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
• The bitter seed is useful as a tonic for diarrhea, and for intermittent fevers.                                

Sineguelas or Spanish Plum (Spondias purpurea), Other than its rich nutritional value, the fruit is regarded as diuretic and antispasmodic. The fruit decoction is used to bathe wounds and heal sores in the mouth. It is a home remedy against dysentery, diarrhea. and stomatitis. Warning: Seeds are reported to be poisonous.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India and was cultivated and naturalized over the whole Mediterranean region, and to other parts of the world. Pomegranates have been cherished for their exquisite beauty, flavor, color, and health benefits for centuries. From their distinctive crown to their ruby red arils. They are rich in sugar, fiber, protein, Calcium, Iron, Vitamins A, D. C. They are a rich source of antioxidant nutrients that protect against heart disease and other ailments. Recent research has focused on its potential use as a treatment for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and various forms of cancer.

Living with Nature

Nature Wall Mural by Dr Abe V Rotor 2016

               A pair sits by the waterfall and stream,
                        beside another pair fishing;
               reality and imagery as one they seem –
                    Nature’s wondrous gift of living.

 

Water remains cool in earthen pot (calamba or caramba Ilk) even in hot weather

Water remains cool in earthen pot (calamba

or caramba Ilk) even in hot weather

Dr Abe V Rotor

Notice that the earthen pot "perspires" because it is porous.  Like sweat it keeps the body cool.  Cooling is the aafter effect of evaporation.  Fannig increases the rate of evaporation, so with cooling.

 

Banga has been the symbol of Calamba (town in Laguna, birthplace of Philippine national hero, Dr Jose Rizal).  It originated from the legend of Calamba which tells a story about two Spanish soldiers, speaking in Spanish asking two native women selling homespun clay pots and stoves the name of the town.

The “Banga” (ba-nga), is a round or spherical jar made of clay, used for fetching water and mostly adopted by the northern region of the Philippines

Reference:  Living with Folk Wisdom by AV Rotor p 43, UST  Publishing House 2008