We cooked for Mama Sita

And had fun! While it was not the first such media event held using this format, we still enjoyed the recent gathering organized by Mama Sita called “Magluto na with MS”. Held at Gourdo’s at the Podium at Ortigas Center, we were given chef’s uniforms, pot holders and mittens. Each team of two chose a dish to cook from seven recipes. Chef Eric, Nancy, Peach and their staff were happy to assist us. The thrust was healthy cooking, thus the main ingredients were fish and veggies. We got to do the Vegetable Foo Yoong. Remembering how this dish had been traditionally done by Chinese cooks, we took note that this one consisted only of vegetables. Needless to say, the many mixes and seasonings of Mama Sita were put to good use, enhancing the flavor of each dish.

Of the five main courses and one starter prepared that day, we particularly liked the taste and texture of two dishes using puso ng saging. Allow us to share with you the Vegetable Foo Yoong. Heat 2 tbsps oil; sauté one chopped onion and 4 cloves garlic, minced; add the puso, minced; mix in Mama Sita’s Pang Gisa mix; add 1 tbsp each of wansoy and kuchay, chopped. After a while, add three slightly beaten eggs, then add 1 tbsp spring onion, chopped; and three-fourths cup singkamas, chopped. Let cook, then turn over. Make the brown sauce by sautéing chopped garlic, grated ginger, sugar, water, Mama Sita’s oyster sauce (which give it the unique taste), spring onions and dissolved corn starch. When done, put the veggies into individual mounds, top with the sauce and garnish with fried bihon, more chopped spring onions and diced red bell pepper. It is a delicious, filling dish!

One the most versatile products of Mama Sita is the oyster sauce, which comes in three variants – regular, garlic, and mushrooms, each giving a particular special flavor to food. But use this sparingly so as not to overwhelm the natural flavors of the other ingredients. We did more research and found recipes using the sauce in fish fillet and noodles with chili oil.

Incidentally, Peach belongs to the group called Reyes Chefs’ Food Ventures that operates Reyes Barbecue located at Bonifacio stopover in the Global City.

After planning this for a long time, we finally made the trip to Robinson’s in the Malate-Ermita area. It was said to have undergone some renovation, but we did not have enough time to explore the whole mall, which at early afternoon was teeming with people of all ages. The hall leading to the supermarket was occupied by garment vendors selling all sorts of outfits at 50 percent discount. There are eateries all around, enticing everyone to pick up a piece of pizza (at P49 for two) or sit down for a meal. There’s a Red Ribbon outlet and a Chinese store, called Bee Cheng Hiang.

At the entrance we found the fruit stalls, Dizon among them. They have the bagoong, a favorite in the house, for P150 a bottle, mangoes at P150 a kilo and mangosteen at P550. The latter’s price was explained to have been caused by scarce supply coming from Davao. The company is also now selling yema, in three variants – pineapple, peanut and durian. Inside, there are imported items such as the sauces and seasonings from Korea, biscuits from Japan and more sauces from Thailand. The candy station is rather tempting, even for someone who tries not to indulge. Price starts from P35 for 100 gms.

Processed meat from CDO is sold by the gram. Supersavers is the home brand of their meat supply, which includes beef sirloin at P355 and kasim at P183. Garcia’s is also there, but we were disappointed with the tough sirloin steak we got for P360 a kilo. Most unlikely for this supplier. Along the aisles are cooked food vendors.

Our ‘there ought to be a law’ incident involves an N. de la Rosa Liner, with plate number DXA 468, Bus number 123. Along the Alabang highway leading to the north, at 10 a.m. one morning, the driver was out of control. He had his vehicle weaving from lane to lane, completely unmindful that he might hit any of the vehicles along his way. Will MMDA be more serious about apprehending such daredevil drivers?

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