New products

Years ago, one of the most popular pasalubongs from Cebu were fresh mangoes. Travelers were often seen with baskets of the fruits as they took their flights back home. Then Guimaras mangoes came into the  consciousness of fruit-loving Pinoys and gave Cebu competition.

Also, some years back, some enterprising Cebuanos came up with dried mangoes. They were good, as well, to take home. Mango rinds were later introduced. These were all selling well. Thus more mango-based food items are being manufactured today, to the delight of mango lovers.

The most recent mango item we have come across is the choco mangga, produced by R&M in Cebu. This consists of thin slices of chewy mangoes dipped in white chocolate. The flavor and texture of the chocolate blends well with the intense sweet taste of the fruit. They are individually wrapped and sold in attractive chocolate brown and yellow boxes of 20’s.

R&M has been engaged in the manufacture of preserves for years. If we remember correctly, they were the ones who first introduced dried mangoes to the public. While we came across this only recently, we got the info that it has won The Golden Shell Award. The pioneering brand is housed in Guadalupe, Cebu and can be contacted at [email protected],ph or through telephone nos. (02) 254-6767 to 77.

Another new product we discovered recently is the “custaroons” of Gigi Gaerlan of Manila. These are mini cupcakes made of a combination of custard and macaroons, a blending of flavors so subtly done. They are not very sweet and the dessicated coconut does not overwhelm the creaminess of the custard.

They are a bit heavier than the normal leche flan. They come in daintily printed pale blue  boxes of 6, 15 or 30 pieces of the original, cheese (for those wanting a bit of saltiness), or assorted flavors.  Contact www.crustaceans.com or call 0918-8282929.

On the homefront, it is spring cleaning time. Have you cleared out all the gift wrappers, ribbons and borloloys that came with the gifts you received? It is time to throw them away, but if there are some you can re-use for other purposes, keep them.

Are there old pots and pans, casseroles, etc. that have lost their non-stick covering? Get rid of them as they will only crowd your storage space. Have you received  a few bottles of sauces and mixes? Start using them by cooking food that requires such, for they may expire soon.

Have you washed the table cloths and napkins used during holiday get-togethers? Keep them for the next season. Look around some more, there may be more things to clear/clean.

Here are tips for holiday left-overs. For those who still have chunks of ham legs, slice the meat thinly and apportion them into small plastic bags and freeze. Doing this will be much more convenient for when you need to serve or cook with it. Keep the bones, they make nilagang karne much more flavorful.

Roast chicken or turkey left overs are ideal to make into salad spread for breakfast and snacks. Fruits? If you know how to make jams, do that. Otherwise, apples can be turned into applesauce by boiling the fruits in brown sugar.

It is time for us to say “Thank You” to all who remembered us during the holiday season. You know who you are, we bow our head to you as we acknowledge your support of our mission and objectives. We will try in 2014  to be of service to consumers and suppliers toward meeting mutual needs and protection. Let’s all look forward to an abundant and peaceful year!

E-mail me at [email protected].