Just For Life!: Making sardines extra special

The Mega Creations Premium Sardines in Natural Oil and Spanish Style.

By Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

When it comes to sardines, the first thing comes to mind is an affordable and easily-consumed dish usually prepared during breakfast.

We usually cook sardines either sauteed with onions and garlic with its own sauce or just heated straight from the can. But for those in hurry, it can be consumed from the can.
That may soon change, however, with the newly-introduced styles of cooking to make the sardines more extraordinary.
This is the goal of Mega Creations Sardines, which recently launched its newest product, the Mega Creations Premium Sardines. The featured sardines has two new variants — the Mega Creations Premium Sardines in Natural Oil, and its spicier counterpart, the Mega Creations Premium Sardines Spanish Style.
Valerie Tan, brand manager for Mega Creations Premium Sardines, shared that mouthwatering meals can easily be prepared using common household ingredients in as quick as 20 minutes.
"Food enthusiasts can now enjoy richer flavors with a gourmet twist, and use these simple ingredients to crate delightful meals they can share with loved ones," enthused Tan.

She also assured the public about the quality and freshness of their canned products. "Mega Creations Premium Sardines offers unparalleled freshness and flavor that Filipinos will rave about. Our products go through a stringent process from catching to canning, ensuring that all the natural goodness of the sea are locked in each can," disclosed Tan.

Valerie Tan, brand manager for Mega Creations Premium Sardines

Chef Greg Villalon

To give an idea on how to make sardines extra special, a cooking demo was held with the help of noted chef Greg Villalon. The chef validated the richness in flavor and versatility of sardines on the three homemade dishes he prepared using simple ingredients that we can usually find in our kitchen.
"Fresh ingredients and a bit of love is the secret to every successful dish. With Mega Creations Premium Sardines, it has become so easy to whip up delectable dishes that will make ordinary meals extra special and surprise your friends and loved ones," expressed Chef Villalon.
Here are some of Chef Villalon's recipes he shared during the cooking demo:

Asian-style sardine sub sandwich
Ingredients:
2 cans      Mega Creations Premium Sardines
1/2 cup    Hoisin sauce
4 slices     Cucumber
2 pcs.       Mini baguette
1 cup        Shimeki mushrooms
3 tbsp.      Apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp.      Mayyonnaise
               Salt and pepper

Asian-style sardine sub sandwich

Procedure:
1. Mix the sardines and hoisin sauce, season to taste and reserve.
2. For the sesame mayo, mix the mayonnaise and sesame seeds and chill.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the mushrooms, season to taste then deglaze with cider vinegar, let it simmer until almost dry, then reserve and chill.
4. Assemble the sandwich by first cutting the bread in half. Spread the sesame mayo on one half of the bread, then place a generous amount of the sardine spread. Top it with mushrooms and cucumber slices.
5. Serve the sandwich with a side salad and potato chips.

Chef Villalon during the cooking demo

Cilantro and sardines pesto pasta
Ingredients:
2 cans    Mega Creations Premium Sardines
2 cups    Spinach leaves
2 cups    Red bell pepper
1/2 cup   Raisins
1 cup       White onion (minced)
2 tbsp.     Cinnamon powder
2 tbsp.   Cumin powder
1 tbsp.   Turmeric powder
6 tbsp.   Tomato paste
1/2 cup   Olive oil
             Salt and white pepper
For sweet potato mash:
1 kilo   Orange sweet potato (peeled and cubed)
2 cups   Milk
6 tbsp.   Butter (softened)
           Salt and white pepper
For cheese crust:
1 cup      Cheddar cheese (grated)
1 cup      Japanese bread crumbs
         Butter

Cilantro and Sardines Pesto Pasta

Procedure:
1. Peel, chop and boil sweet potatoes until soft enough for a knife to go through it. Drain off the sweet potatoes before mashing with a folk.
2. Place mashed sweet potatoes in a pan, then incorporate milk and softened butter until desired consistency is achieved.
3. Heat olive oil in a sauté pan then add onions, peppers, spinach and raisins. Briefly sauté, then add all the spices and leave in the pan until fragrant.
4. Add the potato paste and stir well. Next, add the sardines and mash thoroughly until a spreadable texture is achieved.
5. Assemble the dish in a casserole. The ingredients will be layered similar to a lasagna dish, with the first layer made of sweet puree, and then topped with the spinach mixture. Repeat the process until you fill the casserole.
6. Sprinkle the cheese crust on top then add slices of butter to cover the whole dish.
7. Bake in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 30 to 45 minutes or until the crust has browned. Serve and enjoy!

Moroccan Sardine and Sweet Potato Casserole

Puttanesca sardines style

Villalon will bring these and his other delightful sardine dishes to every home through Everyday Creations, a new cooking show that teaches foodies how to serve worthy meals in minutes. Viewers can now learn how to make pesto pasta, fresh spring rolls, Greek pizzas, and other yummy dishes made from your ordinary sardines. The show also will also provide the audience more unique and easy-to-make recipes.
In partnership with the Mega Creations Sardines, catch Everyday Creations, which will premiere tomorrow, April 5, at 6:30 p.m. on The Lifestyle Network. You may also visit the My Everyday Creations page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MyEverydayCreations. -- Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon