02 Nov, 2009
I was anxious to use the newly arrived bounty of ingredients as soon as possible, so we invited some friends over for dinner, and decided to make a salad as a starter. Before deciding on the final roster of ingredients for the salad, we first tried out a critical pairing to see if…
01 Nov, 2009
With superb sourdough and cheeses (as well as salamis) as Part I of the food pasalubongs, how could there not be a Part II with fruit and chocolate. Mrs. MM’s luggage included several containers of black mission figs and other larger green/purple figs, all perfectly ripe by the time they arrived in Manila….
23 Oct, 2009
The fruit is a fresh quince. It was early Fall in New York and I noticed them for sale at a nearby market, so I bought a couple, if only to record it for this blog and its readers. Quince (Cydonia oblonga) is an almost pear-like looking fruit but with a skin…
20 Oct, 2009
It always amazes me how erratic, variable and unstable the prices of some groceries are at supermarkets and stores within walking distance of each other in Metro-Manila. I realize in a free market, there are absolutely no price controls; however, in a competitive market, prices should naturally reach a justifiable/equilibrium level where supply…
02 Oct, 2009
The selection of heirloom or other unusual varieties of tomatoes at the Union Square Market in mid-September was just utterly amazing. This pre-occupation with growing such a wide variety or selection of tomatoes is something that seems to have taken hold only in the last 10 years or so. I read with…
30 Sep, 2009
More vibrant color, more appetizing produce from a recent visit to the Union Square Market in New York. Above, a cheerful abundance of cosmos…
29 Sep, 2009
The Union Square market in Manhattan recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, and I realized that I have been visiting the market for just as long! I used to live and work in New York in the late 1980’s and I would take the subway down to the market, load up on goodies and…
29 Jan, 2005
Cherry tomatoes were my market find of the day! These ones are quite sweet and less acidic than other cherry tomatoes. In the past, local cherry tomatoes were generally sour and lacked flavor. Recently, however, some growers have been cultivating new hybrids with good results. These tomatoes were…