A savory trail companion and cultural bridge. A love letter to my youth in the Philippines, where fresh stir fried garlic peanuts were sold on bustling streets and shared as pulutan at Lola’s house with my uncles, paired with cold beer and stories that stretched long into the night.

Growing up in Los Angeles after leaving Manila in 1984, I was surrounded by some of the best Mexican food in the South Bay— and those spices, paired with lime, became flavors + feels I deeply missed while living on O‘ahu, inspiring this recipe in 2017. This special mix blends my roots & childhood memories in MLA x LA into a crunchy, zesty, garlicky snack — perfect for hikes, long days / drives, or anytime you need to taste home in motion.