Puso (hanging rice) is a dish originating from the province of Cebu in the Philippines. It consists of rice wrapped in coco leaves which is then boiled. It is served by slicing the coco leaves in half exposing the rice.

I remember when I was young my Lola and my Auntie used to make a puso because they had a Carenderia. I noticed that at the time they already had a cooked rice ready to be served but some people do like the hanging rice. I liked to watched my Lola waved the coco leaves into triangular form and put the uncooked rice inside. Then after she scoped the rice inside the opened triangular coco leaves she closed it up then tie each puso into a bunch. Then she put it into a huge kaldero with water and then bring into boil. When it came out the puso as we call it is already cooked. That time I tried and tried to learn how to wave the coco leaves and formed it into a triangular form but to no avail. I am just too confuse my fingers got stiffed. And so I stopped trying and just watched them waving, it amazes me then.

By the way, my Lola is a true blue bisdak from Carcar,Cebu and so my Lolo (paternal side). Kaya siguro she knew how to make puso and her kind of staple is not rice but mais. Though she makes puso but she cooked her own mais (corn). Which is in my younger age, as I watched her cooked mais I am so amazed because it is not how we used to cooked our rice though. She had to boil water first then when it is boiled she put the mais then stir it constantly until it is cooked. I tried it once perte gyud lataa hehehe. Never perfected it. I wish I tried hard to learned how to wave the coco leaves and cooked the mais.  

I don’t know what’s in the puso that people specially the bisdak’s do like it. Well here is what I think. It is cheap (for me) one peace cost P2.00 (small size) and the bigger size cost  P3.00 while one serving of rice in a plate cost P7.00. Then it is handy you don’t have to put it in a container in order not to get dirty. Just bring a knife and that’s it. Third, one piece seems enough for you hehehe. I don’t know why, but that is what I found out. It maybe because it is really packed that one piece is just enough. Oh well it depends maybe if your that hungry then you can consume at least 2 or3 pieces. But for me it is good  for dieters huh!

 kim