The government has announced a forthcoming rice shortage and rice prices have risen in the local market, as a result. You know the problem is serious when fastfood outlets go against sound business practice by announcing half-rice choices for its customers. What gives? Filipinos are known to be rabid rice-eating people and anything that will curtail their love for those white grains will be viewed as no less than a punishment. The only people who are happy with this piece of news are the health buffs who prefer whole wheat over high-carbo content. But then again, just imagine the gyms being empty and some drug companies going bankrupt because Pinoys will no longer see the need to work out or pop those diet pills. Their bilbils (belly) will now naturally go phlat flat. If there’s no rice, what kind of world will this be??
Here are the many ways I love rice:
My favorite rice of the moment is this Shanghai Fried Rice mixed in savory sauce, with bits of shrimp, pork , peas and other vegetables, then wrapped in perfectly-shapped scrambled eggs. Simply delicious! and available at My Home Deli on T. M. Kalaw St., Manila.
Adobo rice at Congo Grill. There is also this small fastfood chain named Ricecapades which serves unforgettable adobo rice at less than a hundred bucks per order. Lasa pa lang, ulam na!
Bagoong fried rice at Thai Pad in Pasong Tamo, Makati.
Kimchi Fried Rice….. when you like it kickin’ hot!
Dirty rice with finger-lickin’ ribs from New Orleans Resto.
Beef pares with fried rice and soup at Jona’s. A classic, one of the best meals you can have in Manila for less than a hundred! I always have no hesitation finishing that big bowl o’ rice either.
Spanish paella… simply rich. Look at the chorizo and all that seafood!
Suman (sticky rice) with ripe mangoes, taken at Tsokonut Batirol - a yummy Filipino dessert, best eaten with hot chocolate or coffee.
The world will simply not be the same again… without rice