Kusina Maria

a Filipina’s food and cooking blog

Posts Tagged ‘pasta’

Grocery List

Groceries

I was inspired by Ate Aileen to suggest a grocery list for people who are new to cooking. I first made this list when I was in college, living alone, and just learning how to cook. Most of the recipes I made were based on food and dishes I saw on TV or have eaten somewhere. :)

Here were some of the stuff I always had on my fridge and kitchen cabinet…

Oils

It is important, of course, to have corn oil or vegetable oil for sauteeing or frying food. You can store or use other kinds of cooking oil but these two are the best for the health-conscious.

You should also have some olive oil for making pasta sauces.

One must always, always, always have butter. Butter may be used for simple veggies dishes, and to make dishes tastier. But then again, if you’re health-conscious skip this one. For cooking and baking, I prefer unsalted Magnolia Gold Butter. If you do use salted butter, lessen your salt when seasoning your food.

Condiments

You must always have good soy sauce and vinegar. These are essential in cooking Filipino and Asian dishes. I think cane vinegar is a good choice. As for brands, I use Silver Swan for Soy Sauce and Datu Puti or Del Monte for vinegar.

For those who like Western dishes, you can also stock up on quality balsamic vinegar. If you have extra budget, you may buy Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce, Knorr Liquid Seasoning, Kikkoman Japanese Soy Sauce, and some good mustard and ketchup.

Seasonings and Herbs

For seasoning food, it is a no brainer that you must have salt and pepper ALL THE TIME.

You can also store up on bay leaf, peppercorn, basil, rosemary, and thyme. And because it’s a hassle to make your own broth, buy some chicken or beef broth cubes.

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November 22 Sunday Lunch

Abellas

There used to be a time when Sundays meant Sunday Lunch at Lola’s house. Each family would bring a dish made by aunts who all had a gift for cooking and baking. There would be Sundays when we stuffed ourselves silly with home-cooked Filipino dishes such as Imbao Soup, Kare-kare or various versions of Adobo. There would be times when the cheese lovers would devour rich and cheesy Baked Lasagna or Stuffed Shell Pasta would delight us all. Or Sundays when an aunt would make Paella or cook crabs and prawns. Then we’d end everything with a make your own halo-halo station, or any dessert that one of my aunts would make.

But things changed as the nieces and nephews grew up, Lola died, and a few of us were left in Davao City. I suspect my aunts grew tired of waking up early on Sundays. I would if I were them.

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