Otap!

First up, because Summer is a time for travel, bringing home some Pasalubong after travelling is indispensable. What is a Pasalubong? Pasalubong is a Tagalog word which if translated in the American English language would be "keepsake" or "presents". It is a souvenir brought for loved ones or friends - Wikipedia. I remember on my childhood that whenever my parents go for vacation out of town, I would always ask for pasalubong. 

One pasalubong I'm familiar of is the Utap. Utap (often spelled otap) is an oval-shaped puff pastry in the Philippines, especially common in Cebu where it originated. It is usually created from a combination of flour, shortening, coconut, and sugar. In order to achieve the distinctive texture of the pastry, it much undergo a two-stage baking process. Though it is an original from Cebu, me and my mom brought this one from a grocery in Tacloban City. Its crispy texture and sweetness makes it a great pair dipped in milk or coffee - well for me. 

RECIPE NOT AVAILABLE. If you can help out on how to make one of these, I'd surely appreciate that.