filipino food that you truly miss

[LadyJ]

LADYJ how did you manage to cook pinakbet and tinola here in the UK? are the ingredients readily available?

Hi mhynne im not really good cooking pinakbet but i have my own version
for pinakbet i just use squash or kalabasa from asian store, okra, aubergine, ampalaya from my local town market or asda or asian shops, green beans etc.
sometimes if i dont have ampalaya i still cook pinakbet..

for sahog - sometimes i use pork, dried fish or squid etc.

for seasoning-fish sauce and anchovy sauce or sauteed shrimpsoning mix or knorr veg cube, sea etc.

for tinola- same above, i just buy the sayote in the asian shop the rest like chicken green beans, ginger etc you can find them anywhere, then add fish sauce and some seasoning

Thanks LadyJ, I understand the fruits of calamansi (lime in UK) are usually green but if left to ripen become yellow. I've only had it a few months and I'm hoping there will be more fruit next summer when we will know if it's calamansi or lemon....you may be right ! Either way, they're both good for Vitamin C and treating the common cold

I'd love to grow lemon as well, is't easy though?

[Doc Alan]

I'd love to grow lemon as well, is't easy though?

It's not easy
They need sunlight and I really believe they're best indoors or in a heated greenhouse, minimum 16 degrees.
If you're patient you can grow citrus fruit from seeds but best to buy a carefully chosen healthy plant at least a few inches tall, use correct compost and "Baby Bio" citrus food; don't over water; you will get perfumed white flowers and hopefully fruit
Mango : clean the stone ("seed"), carefully take a slice off the coating with a sharp knife, put it (cut edge downwards) in compost, you will get a beautiful plant but no fruit.
Avocado : suspend the stone ("seed") over water in a narrow-necked jar until it roots. Transfer to compost ; you will again get a beautiful plant but no fruit.
Papaya : plant the black seeds individually ; some will grow into plants looking like palm trees ...but again no fruit
Pineapple : you can grow a plant from the sliced top of the fruit; it may take several weeks to root, another nice plant, but .. you've guessed it! no fruit
All of this is good fun especially if you like the fruit , and you know it's good for you!