I ♥ Paco in Coconut Milk

If there is one vegetable that I would not get sick of eating it would be Paco, an edible fern (Scientific name: Diplazium esculentum) that grows in most of Southeast Asia. It is not really a popular vegetable and I seldom see it being sold in the public market so when I do get a chance to see it, I make sure that I buy a bunch or two.

Most restaurants use this fern to make a salad but I (or should I say my Mama) still prefer to cook paco in coconut milk. I am from Eastern Samar and Warays like me love to cook veggies in coconut milk and paco definitely goes well with it.

My mother was lucky to buy paco from an ambulant vendor in Muntinlupa public market last weekend, good thing there was some left as one guy almost bought everything that the vendor was selling (hoarder alert!). At Php4.00 per bunch, it was definitely a good buy.


Just like other leafy vegetables, you just need to    take the tender sprouts and remove the mature leaves and stalk before cooking. Saute some garlic and onions, add the coconut cream, season with salt and voila, you've got a tasty dish.

You can add pork or shrimp if you want some protein but paco would still taste great even without it.




That's the finish product, a vegetarian dish that is great specially now that we are celebrating the Lenten season.

Paco in coconut milk plus fried fish, what more can I ask for?




This is the Wandering Lion, signing off. Peace! 














 Posted by Picasa

Comments

  1. chinoDecember 30, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    i actually learned about paco from another travel blogger. nacurious tuloy ako na tikman to .. gusto ko matikman ng aking mahiwagang panlasa hahaha

    ReplyDelete
  2. MhelDecember 30, 2011 at 1:13 AM

    It's my first time to hear about this fern Paco. Before I continued reading, I thought it was some kind of seaweed. :))

    There's just too many other herbs, ferns, ingredients, etc to discover. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Wandering LeonDecember 30, 2011 at 1:28 AM

    chino: sana ay matikman mo ang paco, i'm sure you will like it as much as i did.

    blankPixels: another leafy vegetable to add to your list. you're right, there's just too many ingredients to discover and taste. :)

    thanks for the visit guys!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ruth dela CruzDecember 30, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    I have heard about this, can't remember if from my mom or sister. But one thing is for sure, your post makes me hungry - fish and veggies, a little break from the usual meat dishes! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Wandering LeonDecember 30, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    Oo nga Ruth, the holidays is just full of saucy of dishes kaya masarap kumain ng ibang luto para maalis ang umay. Thanks for visiting my blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. atty. stacyDecember 30, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    First time I've seen that vegetable. Hmm I don't go to the market kasi hehe

    ReplyDelete
  7. Crossing BridgesDecember 30, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    sarap ng Paco first ko makatikim ng Paco sa pala-isadaan in Tayabas, quezon, longtime ago and i love it. everytime we are quezon, i always look for paco.... sarap.. a very healthy food... www.tripandclick.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sumi GoDecember 30, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    I didn't know there's an edible fern.. Thanks for sharing this! I'm not much into veggies, pero this dish looks so delicious.. :) Btw, have a wonderful 2012!

    Sumi of http://thepurpledoll.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Wandering LeonJanuary 3, 2012 at 4:53 PM

    Stacy: At least you know now, hehehe
    Crossing Bridges: Paco is da best!
    Sumi: No problemo, thanks and hope you have a great 2012 too.

    Thanks everyone for visiting my humble blog.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Munti Discovery: The Triumph of Science Over Death

Image
I have been living in Muntinlupa for the past 10 years (not counting the 5 years I spent back in grade school) and I am ashamed of the fact that I have not checked out the sights in this lovely city I call home. Had it not for my office mate Rai who mentioned that there is an interesting statue very near Festival Mall, I would have continued to be oblivious of its existence. The Triumph of Science over Death (Left) The statue I am talking about is a replica of The Triumph of Science Over Death , a clay sculpture made by Dr. Jose Rizal as a gift to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt. According to my good friend Wikipedia, (aside from Google) the original sculpture is now displayed a the Rizal Shrine Museum at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila. Another replica, made of concrete, stands in front of Fernando Calderón Hall of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine along Pedro Gil St. in Ermita, Manila. To satisfy my curiosity and redeem myself for my ignorance of thi...
Read more

A Rockin' Great Time at the Liliputan Rocky Beach Park

Image
 (July 2011) No, Virginia, we did not go to Lilliput nor did we see Gulliver or the tiny people known as Lilliputians. We went to a not so popular beach park in San Julian, Eastern Samar --- The Liliputan Rocky Beach Park. It was the last day of my short vacation in my hometown of Borongan so my folks decided to have some  R & R and head on to the beach after the fiesta in our barangay. But instead of just going to Cabong (a favorite place by Boronganons) they decided that we go to the nearby town of San Julian. Photos from isanjulian.bravehost.com Liliputan literally mean where one turns around a point, from the root word "liput" meaning to turn around a point. This can also mean a short cut. The way to the Liliputan Rocy Beach Park Rocky Beach Park Fees As you can see in the photo, rates are pretty cheap: Entrance Fee: Php5.00 Cottage Fee: Small - Php75.00 Medium - Php150.00 Large - Php200.00 Open Space with table: Php25.00 Use of shower/com...
Read more

Midyolaseng sa Mineovaheng

Image
After a fun filled afternoon of sightseeing, eating Ivatan delicacies and perfecting their jump shots in Basco, Batanes, the lucky bunch of bloggers who were on winter tour of the province, decided to relax and hang out at Shanedel's Inn and Cafe.
Read more