Dining in the Next Normal: Nostalgic Capampangan Flavors Come Your Way with Ima's Burong Hipon from Nicole's Kitchen

In spite of the growing isolation from a prolonged quarantine, you're never really too far away from some of your nostalgic regional favorites like Pampanga's classic Burong Hipon...

Nicole's Kitchen offers a variety of local and regional specialties, each one curated by Nikki Nicolas including the authentic Ima's Burong Hipon or Pampanga Tagilo direct from Pampanga. The salty and sour condiment of fermented rice and shrimps is a source of pride for Capampangan families with their own cherished recipes. Like stinky cheese, burong hipon is a dish that you either love or hate. It's bold flavors and pungent aroma both repels and attracts but pair it with fried fish, fresh mustasa leaves, bitter gourd and eggplant and it all starts to make sense. Trust me. And now you can have it delivered to your doorstep through Nicole's Kitchen...

My grandfather used to prepare this delicacy when we were kids, and we knew he had a fresh batch underway before even reaching the gate. I never did enjoy burong hipon or tagilo when I was a kid, but strange things happen when the years slowly open up your palate for new flavor experiences. I still remember that day so many summers ago when I reluctantly added a few scoops of tagilo on hot steamed rice along with deep-fried hito, bitter gourd, mustasa and grilled eggplant. The subtle bitter notes of the ampalaya and the mild spicy bite of the mustasa are perfectly tempered by the vibrant sour and salty flavors of the tagilo for that delicate balance, followed by the smoky sweetness of the eggplant and richness of crisp hito. There's a whole lot happening with each bite, but it's that unique salty and sour profile that delivers that flavorful punch. And this burong hipon from Nicole's Kitchen is exactly the way I remember it with its vibrant and flavorful orange oil rising to the top triggering fond memories of that summer day...  

We all have a warm spot for local regional delicacies, with each bite evoking fond memories of family and simpler times way before the pandemic changed our daily routine. At Nicole's Kitchen, each specialty is curated reflecting our diverse culinary heritage with all-time favorites like the Classic Embutido (P 290) and Taba ng Talangka (P 320) or pure aligue from Pampanga, Chicken Galantine (P 380) and Marinated Chicken Inasal (P 390) and Pickled Green Mango (P 180) and Pickled Papaya (P 160) or atsara. Nicole's Kitchen also offers a savory selection from Mama Rosa to complete your comfort food cravings. It's curated comfort meals by Nicole's Kitchen. But it's the Capampangan Tagilo or Burong Hipon (P 260) that brightened up another day at home during the quarantine. The simple condiment with complex flavors transports you back to endless summers with its unrestrained notes draping the palate with its comforting richness.

Luckily, the community market had fresh mustasa, ampalaya and talong but no luck on the hito or dalag, the traditional pairing with tagilo.  But with tagilo, any fried fish makes it a memorable meal. When the tagilo drapes your spoonful of rice with its bright orange oil and shrimps, a flavorful burst pops in your mouth that just needs another spoonful of rice. Tagilo also pairs well with crunchy pititchan or chicharon.

The burong hipon offered by Nicole's Kitchen recreates the same bright sour and salty notes I remember but with a much toned down aroma which is great so all your neighbors won't have to call security. But despite its mild-mannered funky fragrance, the flavors are so spot on just the way it should be. 

It's heartwarming to see local regional delicacies available online and conveniently delivered to your doorstep in the new normal. And it's also a great way to reconnect with your family heritage in these uncertain times. When a sudden craving for nostalgic flavors hits you, you can just call or PM Nicole's Kitchen for her wide selection of local curated comfort meals...

For more on Nicole's Kitchen and their wide array of regional and local delicacies, call 0917 867 2307. You can also find them on Instagram at @nicoleskitchenmnl and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nicoleskitchenmnl/.

Dude for Food is now on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, check out these social media accounts for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and "Follow" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB and IG widgets on the right sidebar.