Book launch

We are marking another milestone next month. After more than a decade, our second cookbook “In My Basket, Travel and Recollections” will be launched on Wednesday, October 12. Published by Anvil Publishing Inc., this comprises recipes we have collected, innovated on and solicited in the span of more than 30 years of traveling, covering eight countries from Hong Kong to Egypt.

This is a realization of another dream – to share with foodies a collection of international recipes that anybody can easily prepare in their own homes. This is possible considering most ingredients are now available in well-stocked supermarkets and hypermarts. It is also a chronicle of our varied experiences in the pursuit of good food, delicious with unique flavors and texture. The cookbook offers a small journey through the cuisines of countries from east to west, how they evolved and influenced each other, defining what are unique, common and innovative.

The launch will be held on October 12 at Le Bistro Vert in Makati from 4 to 6 pm. A rare feature of the event will be the participation of our little three-year-old B, the other half of a pair of grandchildren to whom we have dedicated the book, because they strongly motivate us to put good and delicious food on our table. She will be the youngest foodie to preside over the brief ceremonial rites

 The cookbook is made possible with the assistance of San Miguel-Purefoods and will be available in National Bookstore.

We take this opportunity to thank a very friendly and helpful group – Karina and Gwenn, Maricel, Ani and Joyshe, Frances and Joy. To them a big “thank you.”

We have discovered more entrepreneurs. When we met Rommel, the young man behind the Binalot chain, more than a year ago, he was aiming to open at least 19 outlets in the short period of a year. Today, he has 40 stores spanning Metro Manila and farther south in Bicol. He has gone into franchising and anybody interested can catch up with him today, the last day of the franchising fair mounted by the Philippine Franchise Association at SMX Mall of Asia. This entrepreneur has always been eco-friendly, using banana leaves to wrap the food. Of late, his project is to encourage OFWs to go into the food business, even while still abroad, entrusting him with management and distribution. His packs normally consist of ulam and rice with tomato and itlog na maalat (red eggs). Contact Rommel at 0917- 8174869. 

A lady who calls herself a “start-up” entrepreneur is Joy Roxas who, while still working in the corporate world, has gone into baking, and selling her goodies from her base in Las Piñas under the name Sinful Sweets (tel. 873-1411). She usually takes orders two days in advance.

She reports that while there are different cupcakes available in the market, her versions are still her best sellers at P400 a box of 9 pieces. The variants are chocolate, carrot and mocha.

An interesting concoction is the British-inspired sticky toffee pudding with rhum sauce in two sizes – loaf at P400 and 8-inch round for P700. She has started wrapping them in the happy colors of Christmas. It reminds us of the very English bread pudding with vanilla sauce concocted by our son-in-law Graham for the Mandarin Hotel some years back. We reckon it is still being served at the hotel.

Indeed Christmas is coming very soon. Make your list and start buying ingredients to avoid rushing and being caught in a situation where prices have gone up or where supplies have been exhausted.

Look up the holiday lists of your favourite supermarkets or hypermarts. There is wisdom in planning early. You will be less harassed. Remember, these days, food is the most practical gift.

Have a good, blessed Sunday!!!

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