A gracious lady

Aling Aida has been selling seafood at the Muntinlupa wet market for the last 17 years. We were not suki, but she gave us a good price (P180) for a maya-maya fish head a fortnight ago. After washing we placed it in the freezer for the following day when we intended to make chili fish head instead of the usual crabs. But horrors of horrors, when we started to fry the pieces, there was such a smell we did not even consider rescuing the pathetic head. After a week, we made another trip to the market and complained to Aling Aida, who received us in the most gracious manner, saying it could have been the fault of her supplier who might not have put enough ice to keep it fresh. To top it all, she gave us a replacement, without our having to ask for it. Here, indeed, is a lady with business ethics, which we can not say of all wet market vendors, even some uppity supermarket personnel.

There’s a new outlet at the Festival Mall in Muntinlupa, located on the other side of the complex, accessed via the road to the Medical Center. It has ample parking space and for is convenient for commuters. Savemore, a member of the SM chain, opened its doors in early February. It is neat, with wide aisles, easily readable signs and staff who have been trained for friendly and efficient customer service. Prior to entering the supermarket proper, there are some stalls, among them Buttercrust Bakeshop which sells pastries and a variety of bread at very competitive prices.

It is rather obvious that the SM chain has acquired some culinary savvy, as evidenced by new items we found in their gondolas. We could not resist the Colavita sun dried tomatoes in olive oil (P245.75 for a bottle of 289 gms.). We have been missing the canned sun-dried tomatoes with harisa from Santis. We thought this could be a good substitute minus the spice (which can be added anyway). Among the ready-to-pour gourmet sauces are Italian Balsamic and Honey and Mustard from P59 to P165 a bottle. Fresh fennel bulbs, a flavor enhancing herb, are also available and this made us very happy. Salad greens like lettuce are raised by hydroponics and come in pots which means you can either consume them once or raise them in your garden. That is, if you have a green thumb.

Fresh Choice is the house brand for meat, which the staff said comes from Batangas and Iloilo. It was a relief that beef tenderloin is at P423 a kilo against others that command a hardly affordable price. Lean ground pork (P130 in Alabang and P135 in BF Parañaque) is sold at P119. A kilo of lean ground beef costs P152. For hassle-free cooking with curry, get any of the mixes from Bangkok, 3 Chefs brand. Choose from red, green or yellow paste, for meat, chicken or duck (P28.50 a packet). You can also use this for seafood, like shrimps. Leeks go for P38, carrots at the same price, ampalaya at P48 , broccoli at P156 and eggplant at P37.

On Pilar Street in Mandaluyong is Jipan Bake shop which makes one of our favorite breads, the Monroe. How it got its name, we never found out. Suffice it to say that it is a most desirable breakfast fare, except that it is oozing with butter. This reminds us of the ensaymadas of old–soft, layered and very light. The small one costs P45 per. Pillsbury has a new line of Pinoy Fiesta Cake Mixes, including ube and mango at P104.50 per box.

The Weekend Market at Eastwood City is a big disappointment. We did not find the advertised Organic Market but only about a dozen stalls selling mostly trinkets. We were told the management would not allow food items nor garments in order to protect their resident boutiques. Maybe our friend Jackie Alleje can enlighten us on this?

The chicken breeders may be happy, they are now being encouraged to export. We recall that there was a shortage of supply two months ago in the local market. In the midst of the export bonanza, will they remember to meet the demand among Pinoys? And how will this affect prices? Food for thought.