Prices down in 2015?

That remains to be seen. This was an announcement that emanated from some government officials three days before the New Year, when the high cost of prime commodities was at its peak. Chicken was selling at P155 a kilo, jumbo prawns were at P800-plus a kilo, oranges were ridiculously tagged at P60 per in a metro supermarket where, the male sales staff vigorously nodded his head, the bigger ones were at P120 per! Now that there is this predicted relief, we consumers will hope to see this come to fruition.

One of the most appreciated tokens we received is the ASEAN Culinary Delights Cookbook collated and published by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ladies Foundation Inc., Philippines. The ladies of the diplomatic corps of the region have put together a collection of original recipes from the member countries with the aim of developing cultural unity by way of different regional cuisines.

We glean from the contents of the book the similar techniques and the use of various elements, the spices, especially those that are common to peoples of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, while retaining their individual tastes/flavors. Now we can do an authentic phad thai, a good rendang and a tender and flavorful Hainanese chicken rice, patotim, among others. Some recipes new to us are certainly worth trying.

Proceeds from the sale of the book have been earmarked for the benefit of the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pag-Angat at Pag-asa (Book, Guide, Care Towards Development and Hope), a group established for the welfare of underprivileged public school children and victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

The ASEAN Ladies Foundation president is Mano Hirubalan, wife of the Singapore ambassador to the Philippines, while Gretchen del Rosario, wife of our foreign affairs secretary, is chairperson.

Noted new in the market. Mondelez Philippines Kraft Milky Cheese Delight, cheese-flavored spread with milk; Eden’s creamy cheese taste done with soya oil and mustard; Oishi drinks that include Smart C Calamansi Splash, Fiber and Fruit; Great Lakes’ tetra packs – Fruit and Vegetable Mix, Choco Chug and the unusual oat and milk drink, a creamy creation.

Have a respite from the heavy food of the holidays. Try doing paksiw na pampano in calamansi and luya (ginger). Note that left-over fish from this dish can be done as sinigang, thereby giving you a savory soup. If you find kanduli in the wet markets, the best thing to do with this rare fish is to cook it in coconut milk, adding the juice of turmeric (yellow ginger) to give it a curry consistency.

Have a good Sunday family meal!

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