A Wonderfully Named Dish Called Bicol Express

Bicol Express sounds like a train but it isn't a train or any form of transport, it is a Filipino pork dish. It is a spicy, creamy, and one of the best pork dishes ever, if you ask me.

As to the name, it is called Bicol Express because it is originally from Bicol, a province in the Southern part of Luzon, the Northern group of islands in the Philippines. Bicolanos, that's what their people are called, are fond of spicy chilies and peppers in their food. Their dish Bicol Express is the most popular across the country.

The dish is tiny chops of pork bathe in coconut milk that gives it the creamy texture and sweet taste. The spices give it the beautiful aroma which is always great enhancer of food of any kind. The peppers and the chilies give it the hotness that complements the oiliness, sweetness and creaminess of the coconut milk. Coconut milk acts as a neutralizer of the spicy flavor, even if you put a lot of chilies and peppers it really does not give you a burning hot taste because coconut milk and its oil is known to tone it down. Giving you a perfect balance of the tastes in the dish.

Of course, this goes perfect on top of rice, steaming hot white rice. We also love this dish to pair with beer. It sounds a bit odd but yes, we Filipinos love this as a munchie while we have a cold bottle of beer.