Fil-Am girl’s ‘Barack-amole’ dish wins rave from Obama

Aria Pelaez

SAN FRANCISCO – A 9-year-old Filipino American girl won California’s Healthy Lunchtime challenge and earned praise from President Barack Obama at the White House Kids’ State Dinner on July 11.

“I particularly am impressed by the Barack-amole,” said Obama of young Aria Pelaez’s recipe during the meal hosted by US first lady Michelle Obama.
Pelaez’s winning entry is called California Rainbow Taco with Mic-Kale Obama Slaw and Barack-amole.

Aria’s entry, California Rainbow Taco with Mic-Kale Obama Slaw and Barack-amole.

“I was inspired to make this recipe because my family makes bland tacos,” says Aria. “I took leftover BBQ pineapple, tomato, orange peppers, and red onions and made a taco with them. I added grilled fish and I made a guacamole yogurt sauce to give it a strong taste. This dish makes my mouth water. You rock, Mrs. Michelle Obama! P.S. This is gluten free! My granddad has Celiac so I try to eat gluten free, too, in his honor,”declared Pelaez.

The Healthy Lunchtime challenge initiated by Mrs. Obama under the Let’s Move Anti-Childhood Obesity campaign is on its fourth year. It honored 55 winners with a lunch featuring a selection of the winning dishes, a special performance by the cast of Disney’s Aladdin and a visit to the White House Kitchen Garden.

Pelaez praised Michelle Obama for helping “other kids learn that it’s not good to just to eat junk food all day.”

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