As I'm typing this entry, I can hear the strong wind howl and beat against my office's window. I am just so glad that I'm home, safe and away from the cold elements out there. Out of curiosity, I checked the  current weather forecast in our area. The temperature is at 7 degrees Fahrenheit but feels like -12 degrees especially with the wind blowing at 21 mph. I'd better make sure my dogs don't stay out too long at the backyard. I wouldn't want any of them to turn into frozen delights .

Despite the severe weather warning, I wish I made a quick trip to the Filipino store to grab some chicken or pork adobo from their fast food section. Adobo always seem to make me feel warm and cozy especially on chilly days, even back in the Philippines. One of my fondest memory was of my mother when she cooked pork adobo for us whenever we had a stretch of rainy days and we can't go out to play. I didn't even bother to use the utensils as it seemed more appetizing to eat the dish with my bare hands and licking off the morsels from my greasy fingers after a satisfying meal. Just last weekend, I scrapped my plan on sticking to a healthy diet and succumb to a craving for good ole Filipino cuisine. I went to the OBD Carry Out at Uni-mart and bought their double entree express lunch consisting of chicken adobo, bopis and rice for $5.99. Because of the generous portions, I was able to make three meals out of it. It was indeed my kind of food for the soul. 

In America, the term "soul food" simply means African-American cuisine or food typically associated with African Americans of the Southern United States. Nevertheless, every ethnic group has what it calls "soul food" - soothing, comfort food that brings back warm memories of family dinners. Over the years, I've tried a variety of cuisines from different cultures. There are some that became instant favorites and some that I developed a taste for eventually. In fact, I can't really think of anything that I won't eat again unless of course if it was badly cooked or prepared. I think my palate has no difficulty adjusting to different or strange flavors and to some unfamiliar methods of cooking. There are times that I might even prefer non-Filipino food but when my taste buds start being tickled by even the mere thought of a Pinoy home cooked meal, I just have to have it, pronto. Thankfully, there are a few local Filipino restos and carry out places in the vicinity that I can run to.

When I went home to visit my family a few months ago, I went to some nice eateries and indulged in some impressively good food. They are just so authentic and the flavors were more like how I remembered them to be. Anyway, it wasn't just the fine dining food that left me wanting for more. Eating at home, being surrounded by my family and sharing a simple meal together was more heart warming and nourishing to my soul. The meals didn't cost much but I was sated like they were of gastronomical creation. I took a few pictures of some of the food items I was lucky enough to gratify myself with during my trip. Some might not be to your liking but some might just make your mouth water and will make you bundle up and go to the nearest Filipino establishment near you. Here's a link to a website I came across that might help you find these places wherever you are in the US or Canada. Those of you who might know of other links or sites, feel free to post / share them in the comment section. I'm sure there are a lot of hungry Pinoy souls out there.