Merry Christmas!

Let’s make this day special, let’s be happy with family and friends, let’s wish one and all a truly blessed time and most of all, let’s be thankful for the memorable moments (surely there have been many) that 2005 brought us. Then let’s look forward, move forward, be more optimistic that 2006 will be better.

Housewives will go about their usual chores–shopping, cooking, seeing kids off to school, and maybe go off to work as well. Plus, of course, occasionally lunch out. The peso has strengthened these last two months, and maybe it will continue to do so, then prices might go down and budgeting for necessities would not be as difficult. During the last days of the year, we noted that in some wet markets, the price of meat went down, fish has not increased that much. Shrimps and crabs, however, remained expensive (but these we can do without or limit consumption). Imported onions and garlic have given relief to those who watch their pockets very closely As to rice, there has always been a choice, from the moderately priced to the premium.

Saturday markets will continue to thrive as homemakers have been convinced they offer fresh goods at lower prices. And there’s the social aspect too–friends meet, have a snack or even a full meal, and relax, since they don’t have to cook because right in the markets are a variety of delicious food from pork barbecue to roast beef. Supermarkets, realizing the threat of tiangges, might just settle for lower mark-ups. After all, most of them have done away with the services of bag boys. Right, let’s be hopeful.

Meantime, you might want to relax and be free of tedious kitchen chores after the holidays, or even between today and January 1. Take a cool trip somewhere, drive leisurely, enjoy the cool country air, marvel at the rural scenery (you’d find some are still green). and have a hearty meal somewhere. We have taken to motoring to Tagaytay lately. It is always a good drive on weekdays. To date there are more than 60 eating places in the city, so every time you go, there’s something new to try. Along the highway off Sta. Rosa is Manos Greek Taverna. It is easy to find–just watch out for the neat white and blue facade. Taverna in Greece is a carinderia, so no frills, no fuss, only good food with personal service. Try the gyros-shawarma, mousaka, grills and baklava, among others. Price-wise, you get value for your money.

At Cliffhouse, there is the Fire Lake Grill with a 5-star menu. Buon Giorno is where you get good Italian cuisine. The green salad with special Markinjo dressing is very refreshing. After a pasta dish, you need to try the desserts, apple Strudle being the stand- out. Get some take-home pastries from Papa Vinz, right next door. The very friendly partners offer what the sweet-tooth person always craves for–brownies, panna cotta, and many others.

Back to cooking at home, try and get the Del Monte Kitchenomics Cookbook Vol. III. With this you can make magic with a lot of the company’s products, from pineapple tidbits to sauces. We did their Chili Con Carne and it was an instant hit with our brood. Can you imagine Pine-Chicken.Tinola? Obviously, this is done with pineapple chunks. Truly a new taste and texture. There are more innovative dishes; you’ll have a variety to last you weeks.

It might not be too late–there are still some fruitcakes you can buy and give. Get some from Delifrance, which has given this traditional Yuletide (which can be a year-round thing) item a new twist. They have Choco-Orange, Coffee, Premium English and Food for the Gods. They’re not only lovely to look at, they’re delicious as well. At their outlet in Rustans Makati, we were surprised at their wide selection which includes party trays of cheese, mini sandwiches, puffs, bruchetta, canapés, and mini chicken béchamel, the latter definitely our favorite.

Maybe we should not go to outlets that have just opened. A big South Supermarket started operations in Westgate, Filinvest, Alabang. It is huge with wide aisles and a lot to offer. The young lady at the vegetable section was very helpful, but the staff in the meat section still need to familiarize themselves with their products. And why don’t they have the carousel system in their check-out counters?

Have a Great Holiday! Eat well, but not too much.

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