You Know You're From Bacolod, Philippines If...you are familiar with "Iba" (or "Kamias" in Tagalog)! :-)

"Kamias" a.k.a. "Iba" in our local (Ilonggo) dialect or "Ginger Lily",

is a tropical tree that bears generous fruit

almost all year round.

Making "Iba" Shake is a good idea...

Ingredients:

2 cups of "Iba" or "Kamias", around 10-12 big fruits

250 grams Alaska Condensed Milk

4 cups crushed ice

1/2 cup water

Instructions:

1. Wash, cut both ends, and slice the sides of the fruit.

2. In a blender, put the fruit and the milk.

Blend for 1-2 minutes.

3. Add the ice with half cup of water.

4. Blend until desired consistency is achieved.

Fresh "Iba" or "Kamias" Shake

One of the most deeply ingrained methods of Philippine cooking is ‘Paksiw’.

This is a Filipino culinary term for any cuisine cooked in considerable amount of vinegar, giving it a subtle sour taste.

But there can be great alternative to using vinegar in 'Paksiw',

and that is using "Iba" (emphasis on the last syllable)

~ that is what we call it here in Bacolod or in Tagalog, "Kamias".

And here’s a home recipe for ‘Paksiw sa Iba’:

¼ kilo of fresh fish

1 small red bell pepper cut into strips

tiny green peppers

salt to taste, dash of pepper

4 cloves of garlic

1 small onion, cut into half

thumb-size ginger

10 pieces of regular size "Iba" or "Kamias"

Instructions:

1. Lay all the "Iba" in a pot.

2. Put in all the ingredients except the fish.

3. On top of it, place the fish in one direction, cover and set it in 'Low' fire, until it simmers and the Iba juice comes out that will serve as the vinegar. Do not stir.

Simmer it in low fire until you can smell the ‘Paksiw aroma’.

So there, the result……Tsaraaaaannnnnnn……..delicious

"Paksiw Na Isda With Iba"!

Enjoy! ☺