Pasta with pineapple wine from Adams, Ilocos Norte

Today I made a pasta dish with pineapple wine.

Ingredients:

1. 200 grams linguine pasta
2. 6 pieces medium size prawns (sugpo), cooked
3. 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
4. 1/2 teaspoon of dried rosemary
5. 2 dried birds eye chili (siling labuyo)
6. 2 tablespoon of margarine
7. 1/2 cup pineapple wine

Cooking instructions:

1. Cook pasta linguine according to instruction
2. After the excess water is drained, pour in the pineapple wine.
3. When the wine is partially absorbed by the pasta, toss in prawns, dried oregano and dried rosemary.
4. Add the margarine and chopped chili.
5. Stir for 2-3 minutes and serve.


In this pasta, I used pineapple wine from the Municipality of Adam, Ilocos Norte. They make great tasting wines and also it is one way of supporting and promoting local industry. I also replaced conventional butter to locally available margarine it has a very distinct flavor and it combines well with prawns and herbs too.

Kangkang Windmill Cafe

Last Saturday 11 November 2017, I went to Bangui, Ilocos Norte and had my lunch at Kangkang Windmill Cafe. The cafe is located near the scenic and famous windmills along Bangui Bay and if you are traversing the national highway (AH26) you will see signages pointing you to this hidden cafe at Brgy. Barruyen (map photo below):

The weather that time was humid and windy, plus its already 12 noon so its time for my lunch and my body clock never failed to remind me :-) The menu is pretty standard which include rice meals, viands famous to Ilocos like bagnet (deep fried pork), pakbet (mixed filipino vegetables), fruit shakes and sandwiches.

I ordered buko (young coconut) shake that exceeded my expectation. It was creamy, not too sweet and of course lots of buko meat.

For my meal, I had  cheese and bacon sandwich and potato fries. The sandwich also has tomato, cucumber and mayonnaise. The star in my plate was the potato fries, it was made from fresh cut potatoes and deep fried. Its a little bit crispy outside yet still soft and moist on the center. Compared to fast food or store brought frozen variety, this potato fries from Kangkang  Windmill Cafe is miles ahead in terms of flavor and taste.

Now, what would I change? maybe serve the fries with paper towel underneath to absorb the excess oil and few sprinkle of salt to enhance flavor. 

As a whole, my meal was good and looking forward to eat again at Kangkang Windmill Cafe.