Write down that recipe!

Coming up unexpectedly with a ‘new’ recipe from left-overs, from various stuff found in the cupboard or refrigerator, or simply from wanting a new taste must have happened to all homemakers. When that occurs be sure to write down what you have done, from ingredients to procedure, because chances are you will forget what went into your invention the next time you want to do it, specially if it was a ‘hit’ among your family.

Here’s one recipe that came about whenwe found some Norwegian salmon in our fridge. We are calling it Tomate-Oliva, light pasta sauce. You need one fourth cup each of olive and canola oils, one head garlic (crushed), one fourth kilo really red tomatoes (seeds taken away and cut in small cubes), 30 gms sliced black pitted olives, 1 tin anchovies (flaked), 100 gms salmon (cut into small squares), chopped fresh parsley and ground black pepper. Saute garlic and onion in half the oils, add tomatoes, cook slightly and then add olives and anchovies. Mix well and add salmon, pepper and parsley. Let simmer for a while and then add the remaining oils. Pour into cooked pasta (about 150 gms) shortly before serving. Caution: do not add salt unless you are really a "salty" person.

It was like a fiesta at the recent opening of Makro on Edsa, in Cubao. Cars were moving at turtle pace because it was so crowded and shoppers were pushing karts, loading stuff from appliances to fish and meat while others were snacking at the stalls by the entrance. "Bagsak presyo" was heard everywhere and indeed, with Christmas coming, there was reason to stock up. Kitchenware worth looking at include the set of 3 shallow stock pots at P599, Corningware casserole at P249, US made multi-purpose chef’s pan with high sides for oven or stovetop cooking, at P1,279. For those who do a lot of cooking, Knorr has 1-gallon liquid seasoning at P358.99; Purefoods Fiesta Ham at P299 a kilo and large eggs at P89 a tray. Check their meat and seafood sections for some good buys. Before leaving, we got Cebu’s Krispy Pies at P15 each. Don’t be misled–they don’t come from Cebu; only the concept did. They are in fact based in Tarlac.

Also newly opened is Metro (department store and supermarket) at Market!Market! part of the Gaisano chain in Cebu and walking into it indeed confirms the familiar Cebu ambiance, in the way the store is laid out. We could not help being amazed at the extensive imported items on sale. Three meat suppliers are here–Monterey, Garcia’s and Tenderbites. It could be a price war going on among them, but that is good for the buyers since moving a few steps could mean savings of a few pesos. We thought the lamb chops from Monterey was a good buy at P255 a kilo, likewise Garcia’s beef cubes at P180 and Tenderbites’ camto at P212.

There’s an extensive line of imported cereals, snack items and biscuits. From California’s Certified Grocers come healthy Raisin Bran at P206 for a 2 lb. box. We could not resist filling our basket with Murray’s sugar-free cookies (P87.40 a pack), Equal Perfect Seasons’ Chocolate Cremes (also in Mint Trio, P90.40), Krusteaz Fat Free Buttermilk Pancake mix at P90.40 for a big box, YogiTea brand beverage (caffeine-free, P142 a box of 16 bags). Of the selection, we got the Vanilla Hazelnut tea.

Moving to the seafood section, we found the fish labeled dilat, with big round eyes (P80 a kilo). Prices are actually lower–bisugo at P72.50 and prawns at P460. Some of the vegetables were already limp. We thought they should have been taken off the shelves. Staff was a mix of those still groping and those who are customer-friendly.

Speaking of staff, the newly opened China Star has two of the most courteous and attentive people, Aris and Ruth, who made our lunch a pleasure aside from enjoying the house specialty, Crispy Fried Cod.

Email comments and questions to: [email protected]