Lickin' Good

My nephew once said, “I don't like to eat anything that's licking me back.” And I'm referring to that dish called, Lengua . It used to be one of my favorite dishes when I was younger, but lately, I havent had any cravings and it's been years since I've had them.

Recently, while shopping at the oriental store , Mikc chanced upon a nice looking piece of ox tongue that he couldn't resist. He had an appetite for making lengua, thus it found its way to his grocery bag. Not until we reached home, that Mike solicited some advice on its preparation, but I give him all the credit for his culinary ability to come up with his own recipe.

Lengua can be prepared in many ways and with different kinds of ingredients depending upon the diners taste. But the main procedure in preparing good lengua is first to scrape off the white filament , boil the whole ox tongue for a couple of minutes, then peel off the outer layer which is rather tough. When it is thoroughly cleaned off, you can either fry it in oil, to attain a crust that will keep the shape and would add flavor as well, then stew again to its desired doneness. This is the stage of the dish where the outcome could be either estofado, adobada, pastel etc...

Lengua or otherwise known as 'tongue', is a controversial topic. As the bible says in Prov. 15:2 states, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.” The problem with us however, is not our tongue but our sense of hearing.....But then again the Cebuano tongue for me is the best, even how much you stew it, it remains hard and funny. And the epitome of this are the “Gintong Kamao' jokes. Enjoy!

(I appologize to those who don't understand Visayan jokes.)


Pacquiao: Honey, boksan mo na yun sweets.
Jinky: Nasan honey? Ang lambing mo naman. May pasalubong ka pa sa akin!
Pacquiao: Yung sweets ng elaw.. Ang dilim kasi!
 
************ ********* ****
Bisaya: Hulaan mo alaga kong hayop nagsimula sa liter I.
DJ: Isda?
Bisaya: Dili man!
Dj: Ibon?
Bisaya: Lapit na.
DJ: Ano nga, siret na!
Bisaya: IGOL.
 
************ ********* ****
Reporter: Nguang nanalo ka Manny, anong pasalubong mo kay Jinkee?


Manny: Ibon syempre. Mahilig sya dun e.


Reporter: Ibon? Anong klaseng ibon?


Manny: Yung mga lipstek, pangmik up ba? Basta mga Ibon products! Yo know…


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a Las Vegas
Waiter: May i take your order, Madam?

Aling Dionisia: Soup

Waiter: Chicken, asparagus, noodle, fish or soup of the day?

Aling Dionisia: Soup drenks!