November 22, 2012

• Corny and sweet.

  I stumbled upon something that I didn’t know I have missed. My crave for choices and varieties in the culinary world has me spent years venturing on the tastes and inventions that are new and exciting. And so for years I lost touch with the pleasure of something simple, something utterly local and very much under appreciated. The humble steamed corn.

  It was way pass 1PM and my stomach was growling. I knew there was a long wait, but I had not imagined that they would have me waited for so long just to get my turn for a consultation at the hospital. As I descended down the bleach-white spiral staircase from the second floor, the sight of a mini market, right across from the customer service counter on the lobby level, was very welcoming. But my heart was fixed. I needed more than a bag of chips and a bottle of sweet juice. I needed a meal. My eyes were then fixed on a sign that said ‘restaurant’, 20 feet ahead, right beside the mini market. And so I headed for the only sign that got my heart beat a little faster as I walked with a sure pace.

  Joyous promise that I thought awaited me suddenly turned into false advertising, mocking me at my weakness. There I stood in an empty white walled room, brightly lid by the sun shinning in from the oversized aluminum framed windows, reflecting its rays against a vast floor of white square ceramic tiles. Tables all pushed to one end of the room with chairs stacked on top of them. It is not yet opened. Maybe they don't open on weekends. My shoulders drooped. I frowned. I turned back and headed toward the mini market, couldn’t believe I was going to have a bag of chips for lunch.

  As I entered the mini market, I noticed a snack stand at a corner, right opposite from an array of tired looking steamed cakes in a basket, placed right by the cashier. The air smelled of sweet milk and custard-like. I knew the smell. One that I have not smelled in years. I let my nose led the way. Upon arrival at the stand, my eyes gleamed and I sighed a happy sigh. There in front of me was a childhood street snack that has waited for my visit in more years than the number of my fingers and toes. Sweet steamed yellow corn kernels in a cup. Topped with a dab of butter, sprinkled with finely grated cheese, and drizzled with swirls of sweet condensed milk. Ahhh…

  

  Only at Rp.9,000 (less than US$0.80) per 8oz cup, it's a cheap quick fix and a satisfying welcome to an empty stomach. I walked away with a smile and sticky fingers. The cup was empty before I stepped out of the hospital lobby. I went straight home and had a bowl of cereal for lunch instead. It did not matter. That cup of corn had me remembering things that I had not thought of in ages.

  The smell of corn and butter reminded me of my love for charcoal grilled corn I’ve had many years ago at the wee hours of the night by a street side. Slightly burned on the surface and perfectly flavored in sweet, salty and spicy butter. The cheese and condensed milk reminded me of charcoal grilled thick white sandwich filled with kaya jam and sometimes cheese, to be gulped down with a tall glass of iced coffee flavored with condensed milk.

  As I was munching each grainy crunch of my granola cereal, I thought of the many wonderful childhood food memories that graced my life and filled it with utter joy. Sometimes a smell and a taste can do just that. Enough to send one to a different reality and not caring for anything else. I’m craving for more of this euphoria. One that reminds me of my childhood. Of my late grandmothers. Of my long lost memories.

  THIS is my way to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day.

  • 11:50 pm
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