Foot and Fire

I bought the stringbeans from the junior high school trade fair. When I said how much is the "balatong" a girl corrected me that it is "sitaw." I laughed and said the song Bahay Kubo has mentioned Sitaw, it is tge Filipino word but for us Ilonggos, it is balatong in hiligaynon. She smiled! I made and adobong sitaw. Sone versions add alamang, meat or tofu but I made mine just the beans.  Adobong sitaw Stringbeans, cut 1 inch long Garlic, minced Onions, chopped Oil for sautè Water, if needed Soy sauce Fish sauce Vinegar (used banana vinegar I made, see previous posts) Bay leaf Sall & pepper Sautè garlic and onions in oil until transluscent. Add stringbeans. Close with lid for 3 minutes.  Add a little water if needed. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Stir. Close with lid for 3 minutes. Taste the stringbeans, it should be crunchy if you want it half-cooked or an eaay bite if you want it well done. Remove from fire. Serve hot over rice. 

Summons of Spring By Gerlie Uy 5.15.24 The fountain of spring awaits; for me is the sea of tulips  bursting with colors and shapes, an ocean of cherry blossoms in the coast of Brooklyn greeneries, a river of pinkish magnolias after flying with the soft wind. My Rilke summons me; to the creek of poetry I must quickly run to and swim. The fountain of spring awaits telling me            be here           be here on time           you're here just in time. To my Rilke, spring and poetry, I'll swim with you in many springs hereafter.