Pampanga Food Tour, My Discover-E Trip with Electrolux Philippines! First Stop - Breakfast Feast at Atching Lillian Borromeo's in Mexico!

I'd like to share with you, through a series of posts, my latest food discoveries in Pampanga! I went on a journey of Discover-E recently with Electrolux Philippines and this full day allowed me to see Pinoy food, through Kapampangan cuisine, in a different light. You see, my first impressions on a Pampanga food trip I did a few years back wasn't as good as I could only remember now visions of innards and insects. I remember loving the desserts only - maja blanca, pastillas and a special green sansrival cake. For this newest Pampanga food adventure, I was glad that I was able to try more dishes that I could eat with gusto and learn a bit more about our Pinoy culture and heritage through food and meeting the people who own these kitchens. Our first stop - Breakfast at Atching Lillian's in Mexico, Pampanga (I put her address and contact details below)! 

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We arrived at Atching Lillian's place after around a 2-hour drive from Manila (Mandaluyong).

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We were greeted by a table full of food first, cooked by Atching Lilia herself.

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Whoa! I wanted to taste them all. I had to get over my initial shock quickly over the breakfast buffet haha - Atching Lillian just came in. Her stories are the best wake-me-ups aside from her food. She started to learn about cooking at a very young age of 4 from her mother. She let us taste some of her traditional Kapampangan specialties!

This is her version of the Longganisa - which was very black, not as wet and still full of flavor. It was a very timely that we had this for breakfast =)

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It's very good with this mix of tomatoes and salted egg concoction. I always eat longganisa with vinegar so I was surprised at how good this tasted. I kept coming back for it hahaha.

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Next up was Pindang (Tocino)! Pampanga is famous for tocino, right?! It's origins are Spanish. Atching Lillian said that Spaniards settled in Pampanga so you can see the Spanish influence in some of the Kapampangan food. They didn't have refridgerators before also so this was probably their way of preserving the meat.

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This is called Paksing Demonyu (paksiw ng demonyo). This is like atsara and goes well with the Tocino, Atching said. OMG, she was right again.. I would gladly give up the vinegar haha. I found her recipe for this and the story online, click here =)

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This is the Tidtad - the Kapampangan version of Dinuguan. It has a clearer sauce and the pig's blood is not mushed into the soup (it's cut into cubes). 

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I loved Atching's Pisto! It's essentially a mix of (last night's) leftovers mixed with carrots, potatoes and egg or whatever you want noong sinaunang panahon. Hehe. Para walang sayang, diba?

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This is Bringhe (Morcon). It's very rich and a perfect meal in itself for breakfast. I wonder how I ate all of these food hahaha.

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There's even the Adobong Maputi that came out last! Atching said this tastes better after a few days and they don't use soy sauce in this recipe. It was good enough for me newly cooked. What more in a few days?! It reminded me of the Adobong Maitim in Zamboanga hehe. Pinoy's talaga - super creative! It's all called adobo yet it all tastes so different! But it's all equally yummy =)

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Atching Lillian got up and personally did the Tsokolate de Batirol for us. 

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It's amazing how the pot "almost smoked" and "sounded like a bell" when she did it. 

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Hot chocolate made this way was coarser and not as sugary as I'm used to (instant haha). One thing I had experienced during this trip was admiration for the way of the Kapampangan. Every dish and creation was filled with heart and made with love. Everything took time and effort.

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As if we're not yet full, there was still the Tamalis Suman

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This was one of my favorites - Tibok-Tibok. I just realized that this was Maja Blanca when I took a bite. I came back for more hahaha. I seldom get to taste this anymore!

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Last but not the least, San Nicolas cookies! Atching did a demo on this after our heavy breakfast.

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Atching Lillian was super accommodating. I would definitely go back and find her to try out her other specialties for another breakfast, lunch or dinner! I heard she made a dessert called something like Alu-Alu for former President Cory Aquino before! I'm also curious about the Tejadang Kamatis (candied tomatoes), Gatas Dumalag, her Christmas dishes and her other family heirloom recipes =)

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Oohh, Electrolux Philippines Discover-E, Fleishman Hillard Philippines and Viajeng Kusinang Matua Tour, what did you do to me?! Hahahaha. I can't wait to go back to Pampanga now to eat, eat, eat more traditional Pinoy food and hear more stories while eating! And this was just Breakfast =) Stay tuned for my next Pampanga post!

Hope you can find your way to Atching Lillian's soon!
Lillian Lising-Borromeo
174 Jose Abad Santos St.,
Parian, Mexico, Pampanga
+63-915-773-0788
+63-45-966-0211


Electrolux Discover-E logo

Electrolux's Discover-E Kitchen Campaign is "a nationwide initiative designed to promote culinary discovery and enjoyment of Filipino cuisine". The Electrolux Discover-E Food Festival brings together our favorite Filipino dishes from all over the Philippines into one venue from June 15 to June 16, 2013 at the NBC Tent. There's also a Discover-E Web Series which will teach you how to cook Neo-Filipino dishes in your own kitchen and an Instant Discover-E Photo Contest where you can share your favorite Pinoy dishes this month of June. For more information about Electrolux Discover-E, check it out here. Electrolux is a global leader in household appliances and appliances for professional use. Electrolux products include refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, cookers, air conditioners and small appliances. Find them on Twitter and Instagram @ElectroluxPH.