Kudos to the chefs

They did it! Members of the Les Toques Blanches Philippines competed in the recently concluded Bocuse d’Or Asian Finals in Shanghai. We congratulate them for placing sixth, considering this was the first time they participated in the prestigious event. Bocuse is a famed French chef who was once a guest of culinary doyen Nora Daza at her now defunct Au Bon Vivant restaurant in Malate, Manila. The winning piece was created by Manuel Ariel of Lolo Dad's with apprentice T. J. Abello. The entry consisted of sterling halibut with king crab in foie gras en coute and asparagus plus caviar custard. It was presented on a platter designed by metal artist Mike Aguas. Ariel’s coaches were Cyrille Soenen, Jay Gamboa, Othmar Frei and Fernando Aracama. Judges were led by world champion Gier Skeie, who will be visiting Manila at I’m Angus Steak House from April 27 to May 8. Carry on with the good work, chefs of Manila!

Here is a banana bread recipe requested by a reader: you need 3 medium, very ripe bananas (the blacker the better); one cup sugar; 3 teaspoons baking soda; a dash of salt; 2 eggs; half cup oil; one and a half cups flour; half cup buttermilk or sour milk (make sour milk by mixing 1 tsp lemon juice to half cup milk). In food processor, puree bananas about 15-20 seconds. This should yield a cup of banana puree. Add sugar, baking soda and salt and process for 30 seconds. Add eggs and oil. Process until blended. Pour in flour, then add buttermilk or sour milk. Pour batter in loaf pan lined with buttered parchment paper or aluminum foil. Bake on middle rack of oven at 275°F for about two and a half hours. Check if bread is done with a toothpick.

Here’s another recipe for this post-Easter season – chicken marmalade. You need a chicken that weighs no less than 1. 4 kgs; 2 tablespoons each of orange marmalade and peach preserves; 1 cup of orange juice; 2 tablespoons light soy sauce; a dash of ground pepper. Slice the chicken into serving pieces, drain and set aside. Mix all other ingredients well. Marinate chicken in mixture and let stand for three hours. When ready to serve, cook with the sauce on a stove-top griller or in an oven. Pour a bit of the marinade, before putting it on fire. Thicken in remaining liquid and place on the side. This should go well with a thin soup or salad.   

When we need to have a quick meal outside of our home, we normally go to any of the no-frills chain restaurants around the city. We have enjoyed the fried rice and combo meals of Chowking. We have tried the daing na bangus at Pancake House, and have gone several times to Jollibee. Lately, Jollibee has added two new set meals with their chicken barbecue. One is coupled with spaghetti at P100 and the other is with palabok at P113. Each come with a regular soft drink. The barbecue with rice costs P85 for one piece and P128 for two pieces.

Batangas products will be spotlighted during the trade fair and exhibit to be held in conjunction with the National Conference of Employers on April 20 and 21, organized by the Employers Confederation of the Philippines. Interested parties may call 890-4845 and 899-0411. Unfortunately, this exhibit will surely not include our favorite Batangas fish – tawilis, aton and tilapia. It is sad to note that because the first two have been scarce, some fishmongers pass off talakitok as aton and another fish as tawilis. 

There was a dearth of chorizo bilbao last month. We had to settle for other brands like Norenense and the local Purefoods and King Sue which we found to be good enough. Today the new supply apparently has arrived. There are a lot at Makati Supermarket in Alabang. Cans are displayed on top of their coolers and cost P1,680 each, with more than 20 pieces in each tin. If you do not cook chorizo very often, you can buy by the piece at less than P90 per. In some supermarkets they are not displayed openly to avoid those who pocket them without paying.

Our friend Nening (394-8568) told us about organic cleaning solutions that are safe for home use because they are organic. They are less expensive too. These are the Amway Household Care Products that include liquid cleanser, dishwashing liquid and disinfectant cleaner.

Have a good Sunday!

E-mail comments and questions to: [email protected].