Veggie Craving

I wanted to cook some veggies for dinner but the crisper didn't have anything save for a head of cabbage and three pieces of sili. The freezer was empty too except for two kilos of pigue. Something very urgent came up, and yes, I sort of just dropped everything for a couple of days. More on that later.

And so tomorrow, I will go to the palengke to stock up on fish, veggies, chicken, and some meat. Hopefully, I'll be able to wake up early enough so I could get a kilo or two of halaan to make some soup with grated corn, bell pepper, and dahon ng sili. I could already taste the hot soup. Yum!

If I had my way though, I would love to go back to the La Trinidad Market and get bag after bag of fresh veggies. During a recent work trip, I was fortunate enough to go to the palengke with Chef Erwin Eusebio of Azalea Residences. It was a real treat! Apart from knowing which is the best and freshest of the bunch, Chef Erwin also knew how to haggle, something which I am not very good at unfortunately. Nahihiya ako sa mga tindera hehe Good thing I have a suki who gives me discounts without me asking ;)

There were all sorts of trucks bearing an assortment of vegetables from carrots and cabbages to broccoli and pechay.

When I saw humongous red tomatoes at the market, I told Chef Erwin that he just had to make a Caprese. Plump tomatoes remind of the Caprese my friends and I had at Caruso in Bel-Air Village. I could still remember how fresh the tomatoes were, its flavor made more interesting by the mozzarella. More than that, I could still remember that long delicious lunch, punctuated by much laughter. It's funny how one particular food could evoke one particular memory.

And here's the Caprese that Chef Erwin made. Now, whenever I see humongous red tomatoes, I am reminded of that trip to La Trinidad Market, and how Chef Erwin made me some delicious Caprese.

Here's another dish that Chef Erwin whipped up: seared tuna and a garden salad with strawberry vinaigrette. Wonder if I could make something like this on my kitchen?