Price watch

How does one stick to a budget? By keeping watch over the prices of prime commodities. That’s quite a difficult task because wet markets and hypermarts do not normally have uniform pricing. What then must a homemaker do? One, read the newspapers and find out what are offered in food promos. Two, keep your receipts and check which items are tagged less in certain outlets. That way the next time you go marketing for basic goods, you’d know where to go. The thing is, not everything needed is found in one particular outlet. Plan a weekly menu, list what you need, check which outlet offers the best price for major food items, then go there.

Dressed chicken has the most fluctuating prices. A few days ago a supermarket was selling this at P109 a kilo. We were delighted because very recently we had to pay P120 a kilo. Then, two days after, our attention was caught by a giant board that said “chicken – P105 a kilo.” We bought what our extra money could cover – two chickens, each weighing more than 1.3 kgs. That was a very practical move since chicken is often served in our home. To have at least two in the freezer will save us a few pesos when the price goes up again. 

As for rice, there are many choices – from Intan, Dinorado and Sinandomeng to new blends such as Japonica. The latter and all of its kind are pricey. The regulars are priced from P34 to more than P40 a kilo. Look at the grains very closely. You’ll find out those sold at P34 to P37 are not inferior and quite suitable for everyday meals.

We were shocked that a new market on Daang Hari, off Alabang Town Center, was selling Dagupan bangus at P180 a kilo. Unbelievable! They are fresh, but so are those sold at South Supermarket at a lesser price.

The price of meat varies from store to store. Pork kasim and pigue are tagged from P159 to P170, even higher in some outlets. Beef, of course, is more expensive, with sirloin commanding a price that could start from more than P300 to P500 plus. It is quite difficult to find local sirloin that is tender. When we felt like serving good bistek Tagalog, we got Rustan’s Australian beef. The family was very pleased.

Always be on the look out for promos. A liter of cooking oil might come with a free pack. Shopwise offers buy-one-take-one deals. We missed their special lamb chop offer for a while, but it is back. We make our caldereta with lamb for a somewhat Middle Eastern flavor. For this dish, the meat should be marinated first in vinegar, salt, pepper and lots of garlic. Because we are a small family, we welcome this hypermart’s meat packs of P99 per.

As the summer months are upon us, here’s a recipe for a refreshing no-cook dessert that is quick and easy. We got this when a niece, now a doting mother, served it during a family gathering. She revealed that at a very young age, she and her younger sister concocted this. Because they had no name for it, we decided to call it “Sisters’ Mango Cream Delight.”

You will need a can of condensed milk, a can of all-purpose cream, two mangoes, a pack of Graham crackers and 80 gms of butter. Pound the crackers with a mortar and pestle. Set aside. Reserve a small portion of the crackers for the topping. Melt butter then add the remaining crackers. Line a square pyrex with the crackers, making sure it forms a solid base. Add mango pisngi sliced into cubes. Blend the condensed milk and cream well then pour into the pyrex. Top with the remaining crackers. Freeze for at least an hour, making sure it has settled. We assure you this will be a big hit with your family.

When must you start teaching your young daughters (or sons, for that matter) kitchen chores, especially cooking and baking? We remember we were introduced to the wet market at the age of 10. Now we know of some cooking sessions conducted by both professionals and housewives for much younger kids. Sweet Concoctions (216-7109/0917-5371622) offers baking classes to children from age 4. Sessions have started. There is one for 7- to 11-year-olds, 9:30 am to 11 am and another for 4 to 6 years old from 4 pm 5:30 pm. Parents, do not force your kids to attend cooking/baking classes if they show signs that they are not interested. Let it be their choice.

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