WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – When Pope Francis visited the Philippines earlier this year, he wanted to try balut, the local delicacy of boiled duck embryo, popular among the Filipinos masses.  Unfortunately, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) respectfully declined the request for fear that the Pontiff might not like it.

Today, minutes before the welcoming ceremony at The White House, the visiting Pope Francis arrived at the presidential palace and was treated to a light breakfast with the First Family.  Sources close to the Pope know that he loves fish.

So, leave it to the White House executive chief, Filipino-American Cristeta Comerford to orchestrate the breakfast table with the VIP guest.

Comerford knew of the papal disappointment of not being able to partake of balut while in Manila, so she made sure Francis had something that would remind him of his successful pilgrimage to the Philippines.

The Pope was served a combination plate of boneless bangus (milkfish), with fried egg and garlic fried rice.  Locally in the Philippines, it is popularly called bangsilog  – bang for bangus, si for sinangag (fried rice), and log for itlog (egg).

The verdict?  The Pope loved it! Especially with the spicy vinegar dip.

It wasn’t anywhere close to balut. But it couldn’t be any closer to a Filipino breakfast.

How to prepare boneless bangus.