Morel Sightings at Omaha Restaurants

It’s morel mushroom season! I don’t know where all the morel gold mines are for the picking, BUT I do know the prized mushrooms are being served up at Omaha restaurants.

Below are Omaha restaurants that have morels! The morel sightings at Omaha restaurants were discovered via Facebook and confirmed via recent phone calls to the places. Be aware that they sell out fast and the season is up to mother nature!

801 Chophouse at the Paxton

801 Chophouse is one of my favorite steakhouses in town. I enjoy their prime rib, the great service, and ambiance including the view of the big gold bull statue, parts and all. They have morels to enjoy with your meat of choice. They sold out yesterday but fortunately they have a new batch for today.

801 Chophouse at the Paxton’s Morel Mushrooms

Chophouse 801 at the Paxton’s USDA Prime steak with this seasonal preparation: morel compound butter, grilled ramps, and sauteed morel mushrooms.

Block 16

Block 16 is a teeny restaurant in downtown Omaha. Daily they have a different morel mushroom special. Past specials include morel Philly, morel burger, morel hot beef, and creamy morel mushroom soup. According to Facebook, their morel dishes won’t stop until the season is over. I wonder what other morel dishes they will have.

(Note that they are open for dinner only on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and closed on Sunday.)

Block 16 black truffle PCF chicken salad panini wrap. Served with a bowl of creamy morel mushroom soup with crispy potatoes and sautéed morels.

Block 16 morel burger. House patty, oatmeal stout onions, morels, cheese and truffle steak sauce on a sesame bun.

The Grey Plume

Grey Plume’s Morel Mushrooms

The Grey Plume is a fine dining restaurant with fine food. The nice staff member I spoke with on the phone shared that they are receiving wonderful batches of morels. The morel dishes will vary day to day. Today they have “sauteed mushrooms with great texture and great profile.”

Check out the FoodMeOmaha story, “The Grey Plume’s National Rainier Cherry Day Dinner.” If TGP’s application of the morel mushrooms is as good as their rainier cherries, then you will not be disappointed!

J. Coco

J. Coco has morel mushrooms that can be added to any dish on the menu. The morels are made simply with sea salt and butter. I am salivating for all-star morels! Check out a past dining experience at J. Coco on the FoodMeOmaha story, “All-Star Dinner at J. Coco“.

5/15/2013 Update: I went to J. Coco today for an early dinner and they were out of morel mushrooms as of Monday according to the waiter! Tragedy. No forecasts on whether they will get more or not.

J. Coco’s Morel Mushrooms

Lot 2 Restaurant and Wine Bar

Lot 2 Restaurant and Wine Bar has morels as well! I got the inside scoop that they currently have 12 batch orders left. Lot 2 is serving morel mushrooms sautéed in white wine with garlic, shallots, and thyme for $12. Sounds yummy!

I know that there is a lot to love at Lot 2. Check out past FoodMeOmaha posts, “In Love with Lot 2” and “A Lot 2 Love at Lot 2“.

These are all great restaurants in town that have morel mushrooms! Get ‘em while they last! I know I will.

5/15/2013 Update: The Boiler Room Restaurant and Dante Ristorante Pizzeria have morels too! Today, Boiler Room is featuring sauteed morels with their plum creek chicken entree. According to Facebook, Dante has “locally foraged morel & 600 day aged prosciutto pizza on the menu tonight (the prosciutto is aged for 600 days not the pizza just to be clear).”

Note I recommend calling the restaurants beforehand to make sure they still have morels available.

For the Love of Souffle, Part 4: Souffle Dreams Come True at Harvest Cafe

FoodMeOmaha LOVES souffle. Heavenly, light pillows of oh my goodness. My love story with souffle is shared on the FoodMeOmaha series, “For the Love of Souffle“. The souffle loving continues thanks to Chef Robert K. Barr of Harvest Cafe & Wine Bar!

On our first visit to Harvest Cafe (See FoodMeOmaha post, “Harvest Cafe Sauce-y Good“), we learned that Chef Robert was trained in French cooking. Spunky, foodie friend, Maude, spontaneously asked, “Can you make souffle?” Instantly, I leaned forward a smidge in anticipation. Behind my composed human face, I was a dog with my tongue out panting for a prized treat. Chef Robert said, “Sure. Give me a call ahead of time and I can make that happen.” My dog spirit was barking, wagging tail, and jumping up and down around Chef Robert with excitement. Woot woot! (Or, woof woof!)

On Saturday, April 6th, FoodMeOmaha and friends went back to Harvest Cafe. Chef Robert made souffle exclusively for us and we were in heaven.

We had not just one flavor but FIVE beautiful flavors (two of each) – lemon, chocolate, espresso, banana, and Grand Marnier! Sooo goood!!! Maude called it a souffle orgy. The entire group was ohhing and ahhing with each bite. Light, airy, dreamy souffles.

The lemon was a surprise hit liked by both lemon lovers and non-lemon lovers. This was my top favorite souffle. It had a nice slight creme-brulee like crispy top and refreshing, balanced tangy and sweet lemon flavor.

The chocolate souffle (above left picture) is my second favorite souffle. The chocolate was decadent, full chocolate flavor to indulge and melt in. The espresso souffle (above right picture) danced on the tongue.

The banana souffle (above left picture) was a smooth, banana-infused cloud. The Grand Marnier souffle (above right picture) was a union between egg and just the right amount of Grand Marnier. Souffle dreams come true at Harvest Cafe.

Don’t just take my word for it. Well-traveled foodies, Julie and Mark Hewett, share their souffle experience they had on Saturday, April 20th.

Julie Hewett:

“We were very lucky to have the chef at Harvest Café make us soufflés. We had the lemon and chocolate soufflés.  Both were very tasty, but the lemon soufflé was definitely my favorite. It was the perfect balance of being light and refreshing while at the same time very luxurious.  With each bite, it made you really appreciate how good it really was. Yum!”

Mark Hewett (Julie’s husband, who is also English with humor):

“To the English, soufflé conjures up images of a millennium of conquest, war and liberation, the rapid rise and gradual sinking of the dish mirroring the global fortunes of France, its mother country.  Perhaps, though, it was the not-so-humble soufflé that brought about détente between the two great nations, its light-but-rich silkiness neutralizing the acerbic barbs.

With one bite you can imagine the soufflés created by Chef Robert at Harvest Cafe & Wine Bar bringing about world peace.  The initial tartness of the lemon gives way to creamy sweetness, while the richness of the chocolate bathes your tongue, and fires a chemical reaction in your brain leaving you reaching for the next delicious spoonful before you have recovered from the sensory overload of the last.

Perhaps even soufflé can’t erase the animosity between the English and the French completely, but it will certainly begin to thaw even the frostiest of relationships.”

Thanks to Julie and Mark Hewett for sharing their souffle experience at Harvest Cafe!

Special thanks to Chef Robert K. Barr and Harvest Cafe for rising up to the challenge and making souffles rise to heavenly goodness for our taste buds! Chef Robert and Harvest Cafe are awesome!!!

Trader Joe’s Finds #1: Hummus and Crackers

Trader Joe’s is a grocery store with an array of unique, diverse, ethnic and organic food at reasonable prices. They also have great customer service. A staff member walks around with a question mark sign ready to help customers.

I overlooked Trader Joe’s until I was introduced to their hummus and crackers. Since then, I have had several stops at Trader Joe’s located at One Pacific Place.

Above is one stash from a Trader Joe’s run. The hummus and crackers was my gateway food to Trader Joe’s. It’s not just me. This is an instant hit with family and friends as well.

Here are my favorites from the above stash.

Cilantro and Jalapeño Hummus

Smooth and creamy hummus is brought to new heights with the cilantro and jalapeno pesto. Subtle jalapeno kick and cilantro goodness!

Spicy Hummus

Smooth and creamy hummus with a spicy kick! Not for the spice wimps.

The convenient, ready-made hummus at Trader’s Joe makes me hum over the yum. The following unique rice crackers are a great crunchy complement to the hummus.

Multiseed Soy Sauce Rice Crackers

This is a multi-textured cracker with soy sauce flair. The sesame seeds add a nutty texture and the soy sauce adds the salt component.

Savory Thin Mini Edamame Crackers

The is a light, crispy rice cracker with balanced edamame flavor. This is my favorite cracker to enjoy with hummus.

The hummus and crackers at Trader Joe’s make a delightful, healthier snack.

I am glad Trader Joe’s is in Omaha! More to come on the new FoodMeOmaha series, “Trader Joe’s Finds”.

Thanks to Casandra Jimenez for introducing me to Trader Joe’s hummus and crackers!

Big Mama’s Kitchen Feeds the Soul

Big Mama’s Kitchen

• 3223 North 45th Street, Building A Omaha NE 68104
• (402) 455-6262
• Website
• Facebook page
• Cuisine: Soul Food, Diner
• Price: $$

Why did the chicken cross the road? Who cares, if Big Mama is cooking it!

Big Mama’s Kitchen serves up homemade, comforting soul food. They have been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives in October 2008 and listed as the 56th best place to chow down in America by the Travel Channel in January 2010.

On Tuesday, March 19th, FoodMeOmaha and friends had lunch at Big Mama’s Kitchen. I was excited to try Big Mama’s Kitchen for the first time!

Big Mama’s Kitchen is located at the Turning Point Campus, formerly the Nebraska School for the Deaf. It literally has old school charm.

Come inside to a down-to-earth, quaint, cafeteria-like space and friendly service. On arrival, we were welcomed and seated immediately.

Bring on Big Mama’s food!

Cranberry Sun Tea

• Description: Cranberry Sun Tea
• Price: $2.79
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 7 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 7 out of 10

Sun tea meets cranberry. I am typically not a sun tea fan but I liked this combination. Nice and refreshing.

Big Mama’s Oven Fried Chicken (2 Pc)

• Description: Chicken seasoned with Big Mama’s own rub, marinated, dusted with flour, and oven fried with choice of side.
• Price: $8.49 (one side), $10.49 (two sides)
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 9 out of 10

Big Mama’s oven fried chicken is super tasty! After one bite, I was hooked. I enjoyed the seasoned breading with crispy edges, flavorful skin, and tender juicy meat. It doesn’t have the full crispiness of a pure fried chicken but that is no loss. The hybrid oven-fried chicken is damn good.

The macaroni and cheese was a nice, simple complement but was out-shined by the chicken.

Big Mama’s Smothered Chicken (3 Pc)

• Description: Big Mama’s oven fried chicken simmered in a skillet with home-cooked chicken gravy.
• Price: $9.39 (one side), $11.39 (two sides)
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9.25 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 9.25 out of 10

Big Mama’s oven fried chicken already rocks on its own. When it is smothered in homemade chicken-based gravy it adds another layer of comfort goodness to enjoy! Sooo goood!

Oxtail Stew

• Description: Oxtail stew with vegetables
• Price: $4.59 (cup)
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 7.5 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 7.5 out of 10

This tastes like a traditional vegetable beef soup except with tender, fatty oxtail pieces.

Fried Catfish Filet

• Description: Catfish filets dusted with cornmeal and flour, fried in peanut oil
• Price: $12.99 (lunch size)
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9.25 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 9.25 out of 10

The seasoned, fried, flaky catfish is another super tasty dish! I tasted a slight sweet touch of cinnamon-like spice which was a delightful surprise.

Overall, Big Mama’s Kitchen has “real” soul food. Specifically, the oven fried chicken and fried catfish rocked my taste buds. I left full, satisfied, comforted, and happy. Big Mama’s Kitchen feeds the soul.

Big Mama’s Kitchen

• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9 out of 10
• FoodMe Service Rating: 8.5 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 9 out of 10
• FoodMe Atmosphere Rating: 8 out of 10
• FoodMe Overall Rating: 8.75 out of 10

(Note: Big Mama has recently opened a spin-off restaurant, Big Mama’s Sandwich Shop. Another place I want to try!)

Dolce LivingSocial Deal (Expired)

Dolce has a delicious LivingSocial deal to savor! For just $49, get $100 to spend on dinner (Tuesday-Thursday after 5pm).

Lots of foodies are raving about this restaurant. I love their mussels. Click here for the deal!

Harvest Cafe Sauce-y Good

Harvest Cafe & Wine Bar

• 16909 Lakeside Hills Plaza Suite 118 Omaha, NE 68130
• (402) 933-9305
• Website
• Facebook page
• Cuisine: European, Modern American
• Price: $$$

I have heard delicious things about Harvest Cafe & Wine Bar. Fellow foodie friend, Alice, raved that it was so good she wanted to lick the plate. Omaha World Herald food writer, Sara Blake, asked “Where has this [Harvest Cafe] been all my life?” on the review, “Harvest Cafe has a welcoming vibe and a delightful menu“. Urbanspoon has one positive diner review after another.

This got my attention. On Saturday, March 9th, FoodMeOmaha and a group of friends had dinner at Harvest Cafe & Wine Bar for the first time.

Harvest Cafe has a warm and inviting atmosphere with a cozy fireplace and a view of the kitchen. Friendly, welcoming service matches the vibe.

The hungry group indulged in various appetizers, main entrees, and desserts. Here are the dishes that FoodMeOmaha found to be the “cream of the crop” at Harvest Cafe!

(Note: Due to the dim lighting, the pictures do not do justice to the food.)

Bread with Orange Butter

• Description: Assorted bread with orange butter
• Price: $1.00 per bread
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 8.5 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 8.5 out of 10

The orange butter is delightful!

Baja Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

• Description: Jumbo shrimp, bacon, and a baja sauce with a little kick.
• Price: $9.99
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 8 out of 10

This is a delightful combination of crispy bacon and shrimp. If you like bacon and shrimp, then this is your appetizer. I wanted more.

Burgundy Mushrooms

• Description: Button mushrooms in classic burgundy sauce
• Price: $6.00
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9.5 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 9.5 out of 10

I absolutely adore the burgundy wine sauce. The mushrooms have a nice texture and subtle flavor to go with the sauce. It’s the rich, smooth beautiful sauce itself that makes this dish heaven. After the mushrooms were gone, I soaked up every bit of sauce with the bread.

Harvest Salad

• Description: Mixed greens with candied orange slices, sundried tomatoes, and Italian dressing.
• Price: Complimentary with entree
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 10 out of 10

All entrees are served with your choice of Harvest Salad or roasted tomato soup. The salad is refreshing and the sweet Italian dressing pleases the sweet tooth. The candied orange slice is the “cherry on top.”

Grilled Bone-In Ribeye

• Description: 16 ounce “Cowboy Cut” grilled to perfection with sauteed vegetables
• Price: $31.75
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 8.5 out of 10

The large cut of ribeye is grilled and seasoned just right. The bites I had were flavorful, meaty goodness to savor. The sauteed vegetables were on the peppery side, but still good.

California Cioppino

• Description: Robert’s gold medal winning California Bouillabaisse made with cod, shrimp, and sea scallops served with a seasoned crostini & rouille sauce.
• Price: $27.95
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 8.5 out of 10

This is great quality seafood in a light subtle broth. I enjoyed this dish but I wanted a little more flavor with the sea scallops and cod. The rouille sauce is divine!

Chicken Marsala

• Description: Lightly breaded & sauteed chicken breast, button mushrooms, and green onions smothered in sweet Marsala wine sauce with a side of angel hair pasta.
• Price: $15.75
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9.75 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 9.75 out of 10

This is the dish that I was jealous of and wished I ordered! I had a bite of the marsala sauce with chicken and mushrooms and oh my. Notice how I mention the sauce first. This is the best marsala sauce I have ever had. The creamy, smooth, semi-sweet marsala sauce is just dreamy.

Baklava Cheesecake

• Description: Baklava cheesecake
• Price: $6.95
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 9 out of 10

We tried different desserts. All were very good, but my standout favorite is the baklava cheesecake. An awesome union of the nutty, filo-layered baklava and smooth, hearty cheesecake. If you like both, then this is highly recommended.

I have not mentioned all the delicious dishes we had that evening. Here are pictures of other dishes enjoyed at Harvest Cafe.

(Note: Foodie friends, Alice and Maude, raved about the duck with cherry sauce.)

Our first visit at Harvest Cafe & Wine Bar was a delicious hit! Everyone enjoyed the meal from start to finish (appetizers to main entrees to dessert).  In particular, FoodMeOmaha is gaga over the rich, heavenly sauces of the burgundy mushrooms and chicken marsala sauce at Harvest Cafe. Sauce-y good!

Chef Robert K Barr stopped by and shared some neat stories behind the award-winning California Cioppino and Pasta Olivia. If you meet the Chef Robert, ask him about them.

Thanks to Chef Robert and the staff of Harvest Cafe for the delicious food and welcoming service. FoodMeOmaha and friends will be back for sure!

Harvest Cafe & Wine Bar

• FoodMe YUM Rating: 9 out of 10
• FoodMe Service Rating: 9.5 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 8.5 out of 10
• FoodMe Atmosphere Rating: 8.5 out of 10
• FoodMe Overall Rating: 9 out of 10

FoodMeOmaha Goes to the Philippines, Part 6: Cebu Lechon + Anthony Bourdain + Market Manilla = Zubuchon

Dearest Cebu Lechon,

I wish you weren’t miles away beyond my reach! I dream of you and reminisce about our time together. It was love at first sight and my love for you grew with each bite. I can’t stop thinking of your crispy skin and tender, moist flesh made to perfection.

Salivating From Afar,

FoodMeOmaha

FoodMeOmaha and Cebu Lechon

On a previous post, I shared the exquisite glory of lechon from Cebu, Philippines. (See  “FoodMeOmaha Goes to the Philippines, Part 5: The Glory of Lechon”). Anthony Bourdain of No Reservations hailed Cebu lechon as the “best pig ever.” I can vouch it is that good.

On this post, I am sharing a closer look at Cebu lechon through videos I found online. The videos include the making of Cebu lechon, Anthony Bourdain’s visit to the Philippines, and Zubuchon, the restaurant serving the lechon made famous by Anthony Bourdain. Pay attention to the highly-regarded Filipino food blogger, Joel aka Marketman of Market Manilla.  

Cebu Lechon:

I don’t understand everything they are saying but this is worth the watch for the visual. This video features the making of Marketman’s Cebu lechon and a clip of Anthony Bourdain’s visit.

Highlights:

• 0:17 – Warning: Squealing, dying pig shown and heard.
• 0:38 – Clip of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations Philippines visit.
• 1:22 – Introduces food blogger and lechon expert, Joel, aka Marketman
• 1:42 – Marketman making the acclaimed Cebu lechon. The secret is acupuncture.
• 3:53 – Check out the gorgeous sound of the crispy skin!

Anthony Bourdain Goes to the Philippines:

This video features Anthony Bourdain’s visit to the Philippines on No Reservations. He is one of my celebrity crushes.

Highlights:

• 0:42 – I was there at the same dried fish market in Cebu on my Philippines trip.
• 0:51 – Introduces Joel, highly regarded food blogger of Filipino food ways.
• 2:24 – The lechon making begins!
• 3:40 – Lechon slowly being roasted. Anthony Bourdain is staring for a reason.
• 4:27 – Anthony Bourdain eats the lechon skin. Listen to the crunch!
• 6:31 – Ohhh… Pig and skin close up.
• 7:33 – Anthony Bourdain asks why Filipino food does not have a higher profile in the states. Good question. I wish we had a Filipino restaurant in Omaha.
• 9:19 – Anthony Bourdain: “I got the best pig ever.”

Zubuchon:

I am impressed with Marketman’s lechon expertise and his blog, Market Manilla. After Anthony Bourdain’s episode, additional media, and a frenzy of requests for the acupuncture style Cebu lechon, Zubuchon was born. Marketman and his crew started the restaurant Zubuchon featuring the Marketman’s Cebu lechon.

Highlights:

• 0:02 – I was there at Zubuchon on my Philippines trip.
• 0:31 – Look at that crispy skin.
• 0:39 – Acupuncture technique applied to the pig skin.
• 0:45 – Look at that crispy skin, again!
• 1:17 – Zubuchon’s lechon dish.

Cebu lechon + Anthony Bourdain + Market Manilla = Zubuchon.

I had the pleasure of visiting Zubuchon on my Philippines trip. Future post to come!

Nothing Bundt Cakes is Nothing But Good

Nothing Bundt Cakes

• 10347 Pacific St. Omaha, NE 68114
• (402) 933-9305
• Website
• Facebook page
• Cuisine: Bakery
• Price: $$

Nothing Bundt Cakes has yummy bundt cakes in different sizes and flavors. Cake sizes include bundtinis (bite size), bundlets (single serving), 8″ cakes, and 10″ cakes. Flavors include chocolate chocolate chip, pecan praline, lemon, white white chocolate, white chocolate rassberry, marble, red velvet, carrot, and cinnamon swirl. The moist, dense cake and signature cream cheese frosting makes the cake!

(Warning: I couldn’t resist so pardon the multiple pundts!)

As mentioned in the previous post, Nothing Bundt Cakes has a special offer: Buy 3 bundlets and get one bundlet free until March 23rd. FoodMeOmaha took advantage of this sweet deal.

Here’s an inside look at the sweet bundts.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

• Description: Peanut butter and chocolate chip cake topped with cream cheese frosting.
• Price: $3.99
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 7.5 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 7.5 out of 10

This is the featured flavor available for a limited time. It has both peanut butter and chocolate chips. While this is good, I prefer their other regular flavors.

Red Velvet

• Description: Red cake with chocolate chips, topped with cream cheese frosting.
• Price: $3.99
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 8.5 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 8.5 out of 10

This is one of my favorite flavors. The combination of moist red velvet cake, dark chocolate chips, and cream cheese frosting delights the taste buds.

Lemon

• Description: Lemon cake topped with cream cheese frosting.
• Price: $3.99
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 8.5 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 8.5 out of 10

The lemon bundt cake is another favorite. If you like lemon desserts, then you should like the sweet and tangy lemon bundt cake.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip

• Description: Chocolate cake with chocolate chips, topped with cream cheese frosting.
• Price: $3.99
• FoodMe YUM Rating: 8.25 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 8.25 out of 10

This is for the chocolate lovers. Moist cake of decadent, chocolate goodness.

Overall, the dense, moist, sweet-but-not-too-sweet bundt cakes should please most taste buds. Consistently, I have seen both sweet tooth and non-sweet tooth palettes enjoy these cakes. Hole-y goodness.

Nothing Bundt Cakes is nothing but good!

Nothing Bundt Cakes

• FoodMe YUM Rating: 8.5 out of 10
• FoodMe Service Rating: 8 out of 10
• FoodMe Value Rating: 8.25 out of 10
• FoodMe Overall Rating: 8.25 out of 10

Sweet Deal for Nothing Bundt Cakes

Buy three bundlets and get one bundlet free at Nothing Bundt Cakes!

This is a sweet deal. Pardon the pundt.

The bundlet is a single serving size. My favorite flavors are the red velvet with chocolate chips and lemon. I enjoy their dense, moist cake with their signature cream cheese frosting. Nothing bundt good!

Nothing Bundt Cakes Omaha location is at One Pacific Place. Deal ends March 23rd!

FoodMeOmaha Goes to the Philippines, Part 5: The Glory of Lechon

Times magazine declared lechon from the Philippines the “Best Pig” on their “Best of Asia 2009″ list. Anthony Bourdain of No Reservations hailed lechon from Cebu, Philippines the “best pig ever.”  FoodMeOmaha visited Cebu and discovered the exquisite glory of lechon.

A whole pig is slowly roasted for several hours until the skin is crispy and the flesh tender. Times magazine’s “Best of Asia 2009″ article eloquently describes the glory of lechon:

“A pig is roasted for hours over a fire of open coals, slowly rotated on a bamboo spit, lovingly basted and meticulously supervised until its flesh is so tender, moist and succulent that it can be sliced with the edge of a plate, and its skin so crisp it can be punctured with the tap of a finger. You could call it the Platonic ideal of a pig, but it’s doubtful if Plato, or even an entire faculty of philosophers, could have imagined anything so exquisite.”

Lechon is often cooked for national festivities, holidays, and other special occasions such as birthdays, baptisms, weddings, and family reunions. Maude, Filipino foodie friend, explained that if a party does not have lechon, then it’s considered lame in the Philippines. I can understand why. Lechon is a divinely delicious main attraction and a way of celebration. If you come to the Philippines, this is a must-have.

I had the privilege and joy to be a part of the Aller’s Christmas Eve and the Taylor’s Christmas celebration at their homes in the Philippines. I was welcomed with wonderful laughter, joy, and food to remember thanks to Filipino friends, Maude and Joen, and their gracious families. The family events were the opposite of lame and included lechon!

Spicy Lechon (Roasted Suckling Pig):

FoodMeOmaha and Spicy Lechon (Roasted Suckling Pig)

Host Tito Rene Aller Cutting the Spicy Lechon (Roasted Suckling Pig)

Spicy Lechon (Roasted Suckling Pig)

Spicy Lechon Inside View

Spicy Lechon (Roasted Suckling Pig)

FoodMeOmaha and Lechon’s Crispy Skin

FoodMeOmaha and Lechon Head

Lechon (Adult Pig):

Lechon (Adult Pig)

FoodMeOmaha and Lechon (Adult Pig)

Lechon Head View

Lechon Behind View

FoodMeOmaha and Lechon

Hosts Tita Evelyn Taylor and Uncle Jim Taylor with the Lechon

Lechon (Adult Pig)

I absolutely adore the crispy skin and the savory tender and moist meat. The spicy lechon piglet had a nice kick and was more tender than the adult lechon. The adult lechon had the edge on the crispier, delectable skin. Both versions are relished with every bite. Oh my, lechon is glorious.

Special thanks to Tito Rene Aller, Ate Chime Aller, Kuya Rex Aller, Meagan, Aria, Tita Norma Moreno, Tito Moreno, Kuya JJ, Ate Joyce, Tita Evelyn Taylor, and Uncle Jim Taylor for their gracious hospitality and the glorious lechon!