From the Heart of my Home

Learning, and tweaking recipes, and discovering baking techniques came from necessities and the love of food. I didn't do this to impress anyone. Filipino bread and pastries aren't common in our town. And if there is any, I am not really impressed with their quality.

It took me years to be comfortable in the kitchen. Now, my bake goods approved by the mister and my children are all made out of love.

Even with their approval, I am still not confident to share them with anyone. But one time, I did. I brought three dozen of ensaymada to a gathering.

Ensaymada is a Filipino pastry adopted from the Spaniards during the Spanish colonization era. It's a soft pastry slathered in margarine or butter, sprinkled with sugar, and topped with freshly grated cheese. Other variation is filled with Ube, a fragrant purple taro root.

All of the people there were impressed, even the younger kids. But one was so critical of my baked goods. She kept talking about the Ube filling, and kept asking if they were real ube. I didn't even know that there is a fake one.

She was also critical of how it looked, and how it lacked butter, and sugar on top, and the cheese wasn't the right kind.

Honestly, I felt bad. I considered her a friend, but why was she raining on my parade? I was kind of mad because instead of being grateful, she was more critical with it. I wanted to punch her face , but I didn't, because I saw her grabbing her third piece.

She told me she will bake a better ensaymada. Way better than mine. With real Ube filling.

Wait?! There's a competition?

Now, the thing is, she keeps sending me messages asking for my recipe.

Hahahahaha!