my tablescapes: Food Finds at Mercato Centrale part 2

09.18.11

Last Saturday morning, I went back to Mercato Centrale to try the other goodies I haven’t tried on my first visit. This time they moved their location near MC Home depot on the 34^th & 8^th sts. I met up with Lenz after a short run around Boni Hi Street.

My daughter Pipay came with me. It was Pipay & Lenz’s first visit.

Here’s a rundown of what we had:

Mi Paella de Andaluz – this is one of the most raved about dish in the recent Ultimate Taste Test held in Rockwell (unfortunately for me, I missed this as I have work that day). And since I love paella, I don’t want to miss this. It got mussels, clams, chicken, chorizo, bacon bits. I particularly like my paella with a bit of tutong underneath. One order cost P180. I was only able to eat half of the serving. One serving is good for two people, unless you have a hearty appetite. Honestly, I like Chef Ed Quimson’s paella over at the Salcedo Market better.

Taclings - these are bite size tacos shaped like a siomai.

The crispy, ruffled shells come in two varieties – regular and malunggay flavor. I chose the regular flavor because even though I know the malunggay flavored shells are more nutricious, I didn’t like the shade of green. Looks kind of unnatural for me. One bite, and all I can taste is the garlic cream. I can't remember tasting the ground beef. I wish they would put more meat and season it more with Mexican spices. It lacked a bit of that Mexican taste from cumin and other spices.

Abub Cebuana Native Lechon - I bought half a kilo (P340) which I meant to cook into Lechon Sinigang for dinner (this merits a separate blog entry).

Other food items that caught my attention, but wasn't able to try.

Wha Pao – oven baked siopaos in the usual flavors asado and bola bola; they also have chicken adobo and dulce de leche.

MedChef by Hasset Go – home made cakes and pastries like chocolate revel bars, cream cheese brownies, walnut brownies cut into big squares, and sold at P100 for 3 bars. I’m not fond of chocolate sweets lately so I passed up on these.

What I forgot to buy was their bread pudding crème brulee (P200). I made a mental note to come back and buy these after tasting a tiny bite, but I forgot to go back. This will be the first on my list when I come back for another visit. I love anything caramel and custardy.

As we went around the tented area looking for something to eat for breakfast, we passed by this Morrocan food stall. I got curious on their rice pilaf and fish fillet, and their Chicken Saffron Tagine. I want to try the Chicken Tagine, but my tummy hankered for the Paella Andaluz. Have to go back if only for this Morrocan chicken dish.

I also got the must haves – Baked by Anita cupcakes and pistachios from Nutsylicious for my kids.