Glad tidings with easy-to-prepare holiday recipes

MANILA, Philippines - Now that Halloween is over, we can concentrate on preparing for Christmas. As the most important holiday of the year, the Filipino celebration of the Yuletide season consists of numerous gatherings to exult in the blessings that come with having beloved family members and close friends who enrich our lives. Typically, the numerous get-togethers involve food and feasting. But while it might be easier to engage the services of a caterer each time there is company, this would entail considerable expense — definitely not a practical move for wise spenders who are prudent about keeping within their budgets. Thus, chef Jill Sandique’s tasty and easy-to-prepare dishes are a boon in the imminent season of holiday feasting.

The good thing about preparing home-cooked food is that cleaning up afterwards is made easier with certain products. “Just as preparing good food can be simple and easy, cleanups should not be a messy and tedious operation,” confirmed chef Jill at a recent cooking demonstration, where she showed the advantages of using Glad Non-Stick Aluminum Foil. “Products like this prevent food from sticking without needing more fats or oils.”

The special aluminum foil can withstand temperatures of up to 340 degrees Celsius, making it perfect for grilling, roasting and baking. The stickiest, cheesiest and most delicate dishes hold their shape so that they appear attractive on the holiday table.

“Glad Non-Stick Aluminum Foil is versatile and convenient,” says Glad product manager Renelle Delos Santos. “Mothers nowadays have to fulfill multiple roles and our product makes their lives easier by helping them prepare delicious meals. This helps food look more presentable and enticing; it helps retain the food’s flavor and cleaning up is easier.” This should cut down the time required for tedious tasks so that the coming holidays can be enjoyed to the fullest.

Grilled fish with potatoes and chermoula sauce

Ingredients:

4 pcs white fish fillets, skin on

1 kilo potatoes, sliced

500 grams tomatoes, sliced

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

salt to taste

Chermoula Sauce

1 1/3 cups fresh coriander leaves

8 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons cumin

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon dried chili flakes

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

juice from 2 lemons

Procedure:

1. In a bowl, toss together the potatoes, tomatoes and olive oil.  Season with salt.  Transfer to an ovenproof dish and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until tender and crisp.

2. Meanwhile, mix together all ingredients for the sauce.  Top fish fillets with half of the sauce.  Set aside briefly.

3. Line grill with Glad Non-stick Aluminum Foil. 

4. Season fish fillets with salt.  Lay the fish fillets on the Glad Non-stick Aluminum foil-lined grill, skin side facing down. 

5. When the potatoes are almost done, lay fish on top of the cooked potatoes and top with the remaining sauce. 

6. Serve hot with toasted baguette or rice pilaf.

Baked chicken with basil, cheese and tomatoes

Ingredients:

5 pieces chicken breast fillets, preferably skinless

lemon juice, as needed

paprika, as needed

salt and pepper, to taste

2 egg whites, lightly beaten

1 to 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs

3/4 cup tomato sauce

10 pieces fresh basil leaves

shredded cheddar cheese

shredded mozzarella cheese

grated Parmesan cheese

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.   Line an aluminum tray with Glad Non-stick Aluminum Foil.  Set aside.

2. Season chicken with lemon juice, paprika, salt and pepper.   Dip the chicken fillets in egg whites, then coat with breadcrumbs.  Arrange breaded chicken on the Glad Non-stick Aluminum foil-lined tray.

3. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, then remove from oven.  Top with tomato sauce, basil leaves and cheese.

4. Return to oven and bake for another 5 minutes.  Transfer the baked chicken fillets to a serving platter.

5. Serve immediately.