If this is your first time to visit marketmanila.com, WELCOME. There are over 2,700 posts on produce, food items, recipes, markets, etc. on the blog so feel free to browse “backwards” in time when you have a chance. For the benefit of those who watched the segment on food bloggers on “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” on Saturday, January 15, 2011, I am posting the recipes for dishes we prepared while visiting the Kitchen Herbs Farm in Silang, Cavite. Most of these recipes feature the lettuces, herbs and other vegetables that we harvested just minutes before we cooked them. All of the dishes were prepared on site, with no kitchen facilities, gas stoves, running water, etc. — so take this as some encouragement for you to try something more fresh and adventurous the next time you go out on a picnic… Enjoy! :)
The “main course” of the farm meal was a platter of “bejeweled coucous” and herbed chicken breasts, recipes here:
GRILLED HERBED CHICKEN BREASTS A LA MARKETMAN
Brine 6-8 chicken breasts in cool salted water for 2-3 hours before cooking. Next, drain the chicken breasts and dry with a paper towel. Place them in a clean bowl. Chop up generous amounts of fresh rosemary, thyme and Italian parsley and add them to the chicken. Season with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper and a pinch or two of red pepper flakes (we used dried siling labuyo). Add 6-8 tablespoons of olive oil and mix until the breasts are coated with oil and herbs. Marinate for about 1 hour before cooking. Fire up a grill and cook the chicken until browned on the outside but still moist inside, cooking time depends on heat source and thickness of the meat. Remove and keep warm until served.
“BEJEWELED” COUSCOUS A LA MARKETMAN
To a covered pot with 2 and 1/4 cups of hot chicken broth or water, add 2 cups of couscous and cover and allow this to steam for 3-4 minutes off the heat source. Next take of the lid of the pot and use a fork to stir and loosen the couscous. To the couscous, add several tablespoons each of various colored dried fruit such as figs, dates, apricots, dried mangoes, cranberries, sultanas or raisins, etc, that are chopped to about 1/4 inch squares or smaller. Add 3-4 tablespoons of very good extra virgin olive oil, some chopped italian parsley or mint or both and place on your serving platter. So quick and easy and this provides a slightly sweet note to the savory herbed chicken and the salads with more acidic dressings.
They had these amazing small beets on the farm that are so delicious when simply roasted and dressed with vinegar. To make roasted beets, place several cleaned (with skins still on) small beets into a package of aluminum foil and roast them in a hot oven or over a charcoal flame for say 15-20 minutes until soft. Let them cool for a few minutes until easier to handle, then peel off the skins. Dress the beets with several tablespoons of sherry vinegar (white or red wine vinegar would work nicely as well), a teaspoon or two of sugar if they aren’t the sweetest variety of beets, and a pinch of salt and toss until well coated. Let these marinate in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving.
Also on the farm, they had several varieties of arugula, like this amazing wild arugula that has smallish leaves, a slightly peppery bite, but packed with wonderful flavor. They also had the more common larger leafed arugula, micro arugula and arugula flowers!
The bounty of salad produce inspired the first of three salads we made in Silang during the shoot:
ROASTED BEET, ARUGULA and GOAT CHEESE SALAD A LA MARKETMAN
Wash some freshly picked wild arugula and dry in a spinner or on clean kitchen towels. Place a large handful of arugula on individual serving plates. Add several pickled or vinegared beets to each plate. Add a generous piece of soft goat cheese and drizzle everything wtih some good extra virgin olive oil and a spoonful of the vinegar/beet dressing. Season with some salt and pepper and serve. For some reason the goat’s cheese and beets pair beautifully, and the slightly bitter arugula complements the other two ingredients. Had I remembered it at the time, and cameras weren’t rolling and making me sweat, I could have garnished this salad with some arugula flowers…
There were several rows on the farm planted with carrots, and we were allowed to pick them at their tiniest and youngest stage of development. I ate several carrots just after picking them and they were the best carrots I have ever eaten! We simply washed the carrots and scraped off the peel with the side of a small spoon (you can leave the peel on if you prefer) and they were ready for use in salads or to be roasted with butter and honey…
We made a second salad, a photo of the final product not taken…
MIXED GREEN SALAD WITH BABY CARROTS AND TOMATOES A LA MARKETMAN
Wash and dry several varieties of farm fresh lettuce and place them in a salad bowl. Add two handfuls of baby carrots, sliced in two if you prefer along with several ripe tomatoes, sliced. Then make a simple vinaigrette with some mustard, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper and toss the greens with the dressing. Simple and refreshing and a no-cook use of fresh farm produce!
The farm also had several rows of vibrant green romaine or cos lettuce, with leaves a little more spread out than the tight heads of romaine some of you might be used to seeing. We used some romaine in the mixed salad, above, but when Gejo Jimenez (the man behind Kitchen Herbs Farm) suggested that we try grilling some, we decided, “why not?”!
Gejo walked a few meters away to pick two heads of romaine and briefly rinse them in some water, shook them off, and we placed them directly on the cast iron pan over a wood fire with some olive oil. There was some flavor left from the chicken grilled earlier and let me tell you, this was a HUGE SURPRISE and made for an unexpectedly delicious semi-wilted salad!
The romaine was good on its own, but it was also substantial enough to host other stronger flavors. Since we had the remnants of our Christmas jamon serrano on hand, I mixed some thin slices of jamon with the grilled romaine and it was a terrific match. Salty and crunchy and wilted all in one mouthful. Yum!
GRILLED ROMAINE LETTUCE WITH JAMON SERRANO A LA GEJO/MARKETMAN
Heat a cast iron pan (or use the grill on your barbecue) over hot coals. Add some olive oil to the pan. Take either a large head of romaine and cut it in half lengthwise, keeping the root end solid so the half of lettuce stays together, or smaller whole heads of arugula and wash them and dry as much as possible. Place the cut side down on the hot oiled grill and allow this to just briefly sizzle and wilt. Turn the lettuce over for a minute or so and remove the lettuce to a serving platter. Drizzle with good extra virgin olive oil and add several slices of jamon serrano before serving.
While the KMJS team repeatedly “shot” the cooked dishes, Gejo and I were getting a bit hungry and the cast iron pan was still on the waning flames, so we scraped off any remaining bits from the chicken and salad and added a bit of water to clean off the pan and tried another experiment. I took a ripe lakatan banana and peeled it and sliced it in half. To the hot pan, I added roughly a tablespoon or two of butter and placed the bananas, cut side down, onto the hot pan. After 30 seconds or so, I flipped them over and sprinkled liberally with cinnamon sugar (yes, I had brought some just in case) and as soon as the sugar melted/caramelized and the bananas looked done I removed them onto a serving dish. Added a large dollop of mascarpone cheese (an Italian cream cheese) and a sprinkle of more cinnamon sugar and we dug into dessert BEFORE the main course… The bananas were tasty, but the mascapone was too thick and cold from a stint in the cooler. I think some flavoring or liqueur would have helped the mascarpone… at any rate, this wasn’t a hit just yet.
And you wouldn’t have seen this on the KMJS program because we ate it before they had a chance to film it! :)
The GMA7 film crew of three were SERIOUS about getting good shots of the food, despite the dismal shooting conditions that include strong winds, overcast skies and sometimes strong showers blowing though the farm… I hope they edit out shot of me drizzling olive oil where the wind was so srong the oil flew a foot to the left of the mixing bowl! :)
A huge thank you to Gejo Jimenez of Kitchen Herbs Farm and his crew for letting us film on his farm, allowing us to pick the wonderful totally organic produce and cook several dishes in an impromptu set-up under his balete tree… Maraming salamat! If you would like to try Gejo’s produce and herbs, he has a table at the Mercato Centrale on Sundays (6am – 2pm) located near “High Street” in Fort Bonifacio until the end of March. Or if you wish to contact him for a restaurant or wholesale arrangements, email him at kitchenherbs@gmail.com
95 Responses
Grilled lettuce? Interesting…
Would you be so kind and post the video online if possible? I missed it because of Saturday class.
we’re tuned in now to GMA-7 and we’ll wait for tonight’s episode of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho!
Hands down to you! Tuned in to Jessica Soho tonight. I’m glad to know that you blog not for ads, but for art.
hi sir,
i just opened the tv and saw you….nice!…my husband said why am I so excited, close daw ba tayo?…i said yes, of course…feel ko lang….exciting pala when your friends are on tv…congrats!…
You’re the only food blogger I follow. – Jessica Soho
Me too! :p
wow. i love to eat and cook…ngaun ko lang naisipang meron pa lang food blogging..this is cool..kakanoon ko lang ng jessica soho..galing.
nice….i enjoyed reading your blogs……
thanks mr. market for sharing your fabulous knowledge about fooooooood. Congratulations and more power…..
I enjoyed watching the episode.
Kudos to Market Man! :)
Hi MM, we saw the food bloggers segment on KMJS and it was nicely done! We really enjoyed your segment. I told my wife that the seemingly idyllic setting of the shoot was truly a pain on your side since the weather was not that good. Anyway, it turned out real well and we enjoyed it!
Just finished watching Jessica Soho on GMA and I can’t help but open your site and see what’s in it. Congratulations! You’re the best food blogger!
you showed your face MM! Finally! :-)
Wow! What a nice food blog site. I have just created a food blog entitled EAT,PRAY & BLOG.You’re and inspiration. Keep up the good works. God bless!
Just finished watching “Filipino Food Bloggers” episode sa Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho on GMA7, and i am really inspired by your passion on Filipino Food and Food Blogging..and your doing it all for free,.. wow!!..kudos!! ☺☺☺
katatapos ko lang panoorin ang jessica kapuso mo sa channel 7 ,im amazed kasi now ko lang nalaman na may ganito palang blog,kaya after ko mapanood ay nag bukas ako ng computer ko at hinanap ko kagad ang marketmanila.ang galing!!!! sana mas dumami pa ang magkagusto sa blog mo…more power!!! keep up the good work and GOD BLESS!
Watched your episode on KMJS and was thrilled to see all my favorite bloggers on screen. Congratulations on a job well done, keep the recipes coming Marketman!!!
i knew it was you..when you were featured before with jessica soho with your own lechon i knew you from then….I bumped with you before but i dont think you remember, but at least now, when I went to Nasugbu Market and saw you there, I will be sure that you are one of the best food blogger Mr. MarketManila..Congrats Sir Joel your a celebrity now…God Bless..:)
This is my first time to visit this site. . I am inspired with what i have read. At my young age of 16 i am already fascinated with cooking. I wish i could become a food blogger someday.
just finished watching jessica soho, after watching, nagkaroon po ako agad ng interest to search you. wow..kakatuwa po na meron mga katulad mo to share things po about food, new learnings!!..keep it up!!!congratulations..!!!*
Watched you tonight, too at KMJS. Wonderful segment on food blogging and even wonderful food, yet so easy. Thanks for sharing, Sir.
wow MM! watched you on KMJS. :)
While I was watching my big bro playing Playstation 2, I heard the KMJS featuring “Food Blogging” so I turned on the television immediately :3 Thanks and God bless you always, Mr. MarketManila!
my mother was watching jessica soho and all of sudden i heard her saying “ang sarap nung chicharon!”. Of course it was you being featured when she saw it, i hooked up and voila! became an instant fan! now i have other activities to do during weekends, read your blog and learn from it. thanks for sharing!
watched the show.. great job!!! Mabuhay ka…
Congratulations Market Manila, job well done, and considered the best food bloggers in the Philippines..
hi mm. i watched kmjs,and i was so amazed that there are kinds of person like you sharing this wonderful things.. Hope that food blogging promotes a healty diet. More power.kip it up.. Nagutom aq.
This is my first time to visit your blog, amazing!. I watched you in jessica soho. Great jog marketman..Tama!
Cooked romaine is really a surprise, it’s delicious in sinigang as well as I found out in NJ when I cooked sinigang for my 2 nieces but I didn’t have any of the usual veggies on hand
I’ve watched kmjs, nakakatakam!
nakaka-gutom! yummy! i’m reading this blog, so that it can be my inspiration in my future studies.
MM, I watched the episode, and you looked and did great as always…I’ve introduced your site to a friend…more followers!
Purposely got late for my night work just to watch the show live! And I totatally agree with you Sir Marketman, what makes this site the best and most credible food blog is that there is no advertisment seen anywhere. Kudos and thanks for the all effort.
congratulations!
Kudos MM, watched KMJS and i love it… and now watching again online… :)!
Great Job!
Congratulations for this blog. I watched it at GMA 7’s Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho and I love how it was being presented..worclass..
Hi, Marketman. I just finished watching you @ KMJS (courtesy of http://www.pinoy365.com) and I felt proud of finally seeing my favorite blogger on TV. Just like Jessica, you’re the only food blogger I follow religiously and avidly–whether you have a new post or not–and I’m just proud to be one of Marketmanila’s avid readers. Congrats!
I don`t have GMA channel but was able to watch APMJS thanks to youtube.Saw your segment and was so proud of you.Congratulations!
I just can’t help backreading yor posts. :)
Keep it up, sir.
:)
congratulations MM, sumisikat ka na talaga :) …. you really deserve all the recognitions….
Thanks, Joey in Dubai, for the link to Pinoy 365 – it was just great to see MM in ‘action’ – what a blast of warmth that is – from here in the wintry Midwest of the US. MM, you are a treasure!! Thank you.
My thanks to Joey in Dubai also. I have just watched KMJS through the link (www.pinoy365.com) he shared.
More power, Mr. MM!
Congratz MM and more power!!!
at last, i saw my idol on tv!!!
MM…given with what you have on hand if you want to up the notch with your banana dessert…right after grilling, remove the bananas from grill pan, add some sugar to caramelize, add some butter and then swirl in some mascarapone….eat a chunk of banana and dip it into the sauce!
Is that OJ in the pitcher? maybe reducing some of it and add it to the caramel sauce laced with mascarpone?
ChrisB…romaine lettuce added to sinigang salmon head with miso is soooo good!
I have watched the KMJS last night and curious to check out your blogsite since Ms. Jessica Soho said that you’re the only food blogger that she follows. You really write it from the heart, that’s why. Keep it up and congratulations!
those lovely, fresh veggies are jewels themselves….
bettyq is right—romaine in pinoy soups are great. just add at the very end, cover pot and remove from heat.
here’s the link for those of you who haven’t seen the segment in GMA https://www.pinoychannels.net/watch/v-256626?title=KAPUSO MO, JESSICA SOHO – JAN. 15, 2011 PART 2 Enjoy
Mascarpone is pretty bland, you can jazz it up quickly with a dollop of whipped heavy cream and a dash of Cointreau, plus a tablespoon of confectioner’s sugar. Shaved chocolate and chopped candied orange peel would be nice, too.
I love this blog. thank you Mr. Marketman… MABUHAY KA.
I’m happy for you MM – your blog is attracting more readers and are happy reading away your entries. The Marketman family of readers is now really growing!
To all those new to the site, I encourage you to go back to the old posts of MM. It’s a treasure!
MM,I’m glad that you changed your mind about giving up last year. You have inspired and still inspiring thousands of people to cook fresh,quality ingredients and create a delectable and sometimes wicked dishes,etc,etc.:) I’m an avid fan and will forever be!
Congratulations!
I would be grateful to share my ideas about Filipino cuisine that are no longer that popular. My grandmother has this old notebook passed onto her by her grandmother. The original notebook had been rewritten by my grandmother as a preparation for its vulnerability. It was a great thing that my grandmother knows how to keep those ideas about FIlipino cuisine. :)
first time i saw this blog when i watched the jessica soho yesterday
it looks so yummy! hope I will taste and eat that food someday ^_^
That was a welcome treat seeing you on tv last night. Your herbed chicken recipe is now on my to-cook list. Thanks Marketman for your generous spirit. Through your blog, I have followed very informative and interesting exchanges.I also visited your stall at the Mactan International Airport sometime ago and bought some zubuchon and lechon sisig. I had some handcarried baggage with me and your staff there was very helpful. Gipahiluna jud nya akong stuff together with the zubuchon and sisig. I forgot to take her name though because boarding na. Keep your good work going!
Sir keep it up sir.!!!!Thnx for the knowledge!!!!
“you’re the only food blogger i follow” – Jessica Soho
WInner! great feature, MM..congratulations, and thank you for the passion and dedication!
Last night when you were featured at KMJS, I was very delighted. You gave me another idea how make fresh vegetable salad. It’s very helpful!Thanks!
good blog. and i really like the way betty q adds her tidbits of advice. what a pair you make.
You’re the only food blogger i follow – Ms. Jessica Soho
Me – Since May 2007
IM JUST WATCXHING JESSICA SOHO AND BOOK MARK YOUR SITE …YOU GONNA HEAR ME SOON ON SOME OF YOUR ARTICLE…KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB MR. MARKETMAN.
with all the TV exposures you are getting, the followers of your blog will increase even more.
congrats, MM. more tv guesting.
The banana looks yummy! Will try that soon :D
i watched the episode last night. Great job MM!
TV segments, book plans, magazine features, a legion of followers… at this rate, variety show performances and elections might not be far off.
Kidding aside, good job sir.
ask ko lng po sana kung ok lng po ba magpunta dun sa herb farm sa silang cavite at kung san po ang specific location nila kung ok lng po ksi po gusto ko po tlaga makita eto personally lalo na po dito sa atin.salamat po
ur rily doing gud mr.marketman
i watch da episode last night and i learn many things ..
try to cook spicy gatang mussels
dats rily good and affordable
missed the show :(
thanks for sharing your behind-the-scenes vignettes and will surely try your chicken and salad recipes!
Congrats again! more features to come! Showbiz ka na MM! :)))
Mr. Marketman, I just wanted to ask you about the chicken “tip” that you said in KMJS. Something like, to have a juicy chicken, put _______ and refrigerate it??? I really forgot it…
Toni, “brine” your chicken breasts. Take several chicken breasts that are not frozen, place them in a bowl, cover with cool water and say 2 tablespoons of non-iodized sea salt mix and let this sit in the fridge for 2-3 hours. Remove the breasts, rinse briefly and dry before continuing with your desired recipe. This is the simplest of brines… you can make more complicated ones with herbs, aromatics, etc. Essentially, the salty water forces liquid to be absorbed by the chicken breasts (or any other part for that matter) and when you cook them they will be juicier. This works for pork, turkey, etc. Also great with shrimp.
i watch your segment last saturday at jessica show.. mr. market man ur adventurous. i want to learn ur recipes specially when it comes to veg…
continue your mission…
i watch your blog on Jessica Soho…it was really great topic..Mr. market man i salute you because you share lots of recipe’s idea’s and knowledge to your blog. have you visit the Pampanga??? i really love seafoods….pls…make alot of seafoods recipes…thank you…
i saw the show last night, two thumbs up MM.. celebrity ka na!
Congrats!
the banana looks yummy…..my classmates in our class cook turon it’s so yummy
amazing,,galing talaga ng pinoy,thumbs up ,!
just watching KMJS … natutuwa ako about the couscous and chicken with rosemary … kasi yan ang ipinaluluto sa akin lage ng alaga ko …now i know how to make a juicy and more tasty chicken breast thanks mr. marketman for the tips ^_^ god bless and keep up the good work ^_^
I was amazed with your blogs. I watch Jessica Sojo last night and your dishes was great. I hope I’m going to learn more about your blogs. Since I saw you on KMJS I easily open my laptop and search about you. I learned a lot. Congrats! What’s your favorite food among the blogs that you have?
Congratulations!Cooking al fresco and in a makeshift stove reminds me of an episode of Jamie Oliver cooking just outside the forest right after he gathered some wild mushrooms.
Finally saw you Mr. MM. You’re very humble and you speaks from the heart. Keep blogging. God bless you always.
he gave me a lot of reason to be more passionate on food!!!!
watched your episode at KMJS…good job MM. i was amazed too with your blogs and excited to learn more recipes and new ideas esp on veg salads. keep up the good work!
i almost missed the show. it was raining heavily in cubao last satruday and travel to my place in antipolo was very slow. i immediately turned on the TV upon reaching the house and thankfully, your segment was just about to start. great job MM!
I really appreciate people like you who are very passionate when it comes to food. Honestly I am not fond of cooking or even preparing something like that ..i just like to eat . But when I watched the show ..I realized how important to learn and experience making and preparing such..I was inspired because you are a man and yet you are indeed good…so I made up my mind …as a woman I need to be like you to haha…master keep on blogging!
Hello..Marketman finally there was the face..I saw you at the”Kapuso mo Jessica Soho..You had been so mysterious that everyone was trying to get a glimpse of you , and I am glad I felt like I knew you now..Thank you for your Blog..your untiring effort to put food cuisine to the top…the photograps were superb and unequal in their presentations..I have learn a lot and have kept up reading it..somehow your blog serves as a connection for me to my homeland..a reminder of my youth..the smell of home…I will always visit your site and see what surprise you have for us..readers. Well done..
are you the same person who appeared on tony bourdain’s no reservations show on travel channel sometime last year? i enjoyed your segment at Ms. soho’s show.thank you for the blogs.
I heard about you just now, the first time I watched Jessica Soho’s feature on food bloggers, through Burnt Lumpia’s blog. What I like most about you (and Marvin of Burnt Lumpia) is that you actually cook (unlike some food bloggers who don’t) and you do this for the sake of art and not money. I heard from some chefs in Manila that food bloggers are now largely controlled by media companies which restaurants use to promote themselves. That may be a good thing, but sometimes it’s not too as there is an inherent conflict of interest.
Your blog is very interesting and you’re very creative….I’ll be following you now, just like Jessica Soho….
My whole family loves to cook and eat, and we are based outside of the Philippines. It’s always good to appreciate Pinoy food and try something new whenever we are back there. More power to you!
Thanks po for giving tips on preparing the food. I love chicken…so , I’ll try po the brine preps. Madadalas ang pagbisita ko sa site na ito. God bless and more power po!
Mr. MM, I’m working in one of the offices here in Boni High Street and honestly, I’ve been here long enough before that Mercato Centrale was opened for business but sadly, I dunno where exactlythat place is located! Looking out of my office window, I could see that isolated white building yonder, adjacent to Serendra…
I watched Marketman featured on KMJS! Congrats, you deserve all the raves! You put your heart in doing your posts and maintaining this blog. Indeed, your posts are treasures! :)
congaratulation. job welldone sir. post some more tips and idea about meat marination. thanks
Thanks Maria for the link, I was able to watch and see for the first time the Man behind Market Manila. Like many others, he’s the only food blogger i follow whenever i got time to browse the net. KUDOS! KUDOS! KUDOS!
I wanna try your Bejeweled Couscous using quinoa as substitute for couscous.
hi.. mr. market man,? i watch you on jessica S.
there so many blogger that with that show.. but your name, i already memorizing.. Hehe.. I want to be like you.. if it is ok..?
hi mr. market man, lagi po aq nanunuod ng KMJS at dun q lng nlaman ang tungkol sa food bloggers and i was amazed, i wanna be like u..hehe sana in the near future..
Hi MM,
HI to all,, does anyone knows here where can i buy some organic berries here in manila..
thanks..