Calamansi Collaboration
A few months ago, Ginger Lim-Dimapasok (owner of Cafe 86) texted me about participating in a collaboration. She explained Michelle Sterling, a SoCal-based Filipina author, would be launching a book in May called “When Lola Visits,” illustrated by Aaron Asis and published by Harper Collins. One of the food items highlighted in the book is Kalamansi pie. I got so excited and I immediately said yes. She introduced me to Michelle via e-mail and since then, we’ve been exchanging ideas.
One week from now (May 18th), When Lola Visits will be available for purchase. The story is amazing (Yes, I read my author’s copy already).
When Lola Visits is about a girl whose lola comes from the Philippines for her annual visit during the summer, and all of the rich senses of summer that they experience together. Lola fills the house with the aroma of mango jam, funny stories of baking mishaps, and her quiet sweet singing in Tagalog. And in turn, her granddaughter brings Lola to the beach, to view fireworks at the park, and to catch fish at their lake. Summer is not complete without picking aprons full of kalamansi in the backyard and Lola making her famous kalamansi pie. Lola’s kalamansi pie is more than just delicious — it represents the coming together of two cultures in one dessert — the creamy, sweet custard of an American pie with the rich, bright and sour Filipino kalamansi.
After reading this book, it reminded me as a kid growing up in Olongapo City. When my lola visits (now she resides in the Bay Area), she would cook different kinds of Filipino dishes. I remember how excited she was to go to the palengke (wet market) to get all the ingredients she needed for her cooking. Kaldereta, Pancit, Sinigang, Suman sa Lihiya were a few of her favorite dishes to make.
Filipino kalamansi can be utilized in both savory and sweet dishes. For me, transforming this tiny and mighty fruit into a Calamansi based dessert was a natural concept. Inspired by the classic American pie (think Key Lime) and reimagined with a distinct Filipino citrus flavor has made our Calamansi Pie our most popular item.
Photo by Hillary Jeanne Photography. Food Styling by Andee McKenzie.