Filipinos have long had a knack for stretching their budgets to create amazing, and sometimes mind-boggling products out of otherwise mundane and ordinary raw materials.
The ingenuity of Filipinos even shows on the table as chefs and cooks manage to reimagine popular canned goods from Century Pacific Food’s brands to create gourmet food out of them! The team from The Filipino Times was invited over lunch to enjoy innovative food menu ideas that they have created.
Starters
The team was served with their star right of the bat: Argentina Corned Beef Empadana as well as their 555 Spanish Sardines Croquettas with Paprika mayo dip. What’s amazing is that even if the distinct taste of the main canned good is still there, the presentation and the flavors blended so well in your mouth that it’s hard to believe that it came from canned goods if you didn’t know better!
We were also served their Kalabasa Soup made from Angel Evap as well as their Century Tuna Calamansi Glass Noodle Salad, both of which heightened the flavors of what would have been simple vegetable dishes.
Main Course
Staying true to the popular Filipino taste, Century Pacific Food’s main courses featured an assortment of Filipino classic –silogs including their Argentina Longganisa, Tocino, Tapa, as well as their Century Bangus Fillets Tinapa. Served together with their Pinoy Ensalada and their Kamayan Bagoong Garlic Rice, the aesthetic presentation matched the deliciousness of every bite of each Filipino dish.
Desserts
Their Angel Kremdensada Choco-Mango Icebox Cake offered a premium creamy cake taste that fused the distinct chocolate and mango flavors so well together with the sweetness and creaminess of the milk. And of course, their version of the Filipino’s preferred dessert – the Kamayan Fruit Preserves Halo-Halo with Angel Leche Flan stepped up a notch from the usual halo-halos you can buy off the streets as it was a delightful, mouthwatering dessert that’s perfect to end your meals on a satisfying, delicious note.
The Verdict
These dishes were all made mostly out of canned goods which cost just a few dirhams per can, and when mixed with the right ingredients, this proves that Filipinos can easily enjoy gourmet food straight out of their pockets on a budget.
