Since bumalik ako ng Manila from Davao ilang beses ko binalak magluto ulet ng Caldereta, pero hindi natutuloy until today. Finally my mind and my heart agreed to cook this dish that I missed cooking for a long time.
The Caldereta Life
Some of you probably know this, if my heart is not into something I just can't do it. Well unless it is part of the job, I can do it not passionately but out of necessity. And I don't live like that. Ang buhay parang Caldereta, pinipili ang pinaka masarap at sariwang sangkap at matiyang niluluto... slow cooked in low fire, para magsanib pwersa ang lahat ng lasa at lumabas ang sarap. Hindi minamadali, sa halip binibigyan ng pagkakataon ang bawat sangkap ilabas ang best nila. Hindi ba ang sarap ng feeling na pag inihain mo ito masasarapan ang lahat ng kakain?
Sa buhay natin, hindi mo dapat madaliin ang sarili mo. Take your time to heal from your hurtings, to forgive the one who broke your heart. Take time to stop and smell the flowers. Spend time alone, get to know yourself again and what makes you happy. Wait until your heart and your mind agrees to do it, slowly but surely, so you can be your best self again. Isn't it good that when you share your life with someone new, you are the better version of yourself?
My own version of your Caldereta
I learned to cook Caldereta from someone who used to be close to my heart. He shared his secret recipe that I promised not to share with anyone else. The first time I cooked it felt like winning a jackpot. For the longest time I wanted to try Caldereta but simply couldn't find a good recipe, then came you. My family and friends loved my Caldereta thanks to you.
Just a few weeks back, I spoke with him again. This time, I said what I deemed to say without anger. For a long while I thought I can't let him go. After that conversation I told myself "you've moved on gir!" Maybe that is also the reason why I can now cook Caldereta again (ipilit talaga?), because although it reminds me of you there's no bitterness this time.
So kahapon, habang nawawala ako sa mga aisle ng bagong SM Supermarket it crossed my mind... I will cook Caldereta for Sunday lunch. I got up before 10 o'clock to start my preparation. I looked for his recipe, but I can't find it anymore. So I cooked it from the heart, of how I remember cooking it. And instead of using a brand of cheese that he recommended, I used cream cheese and cheddar. I wanted to put olives as I thought I still have some in my fridge, but I got cappers pala. A recipe is like a lesson in life, it is subject to your own interpretation or execution. I guess this is my version of your Caldereta. Everytime i will cook this dish, you will probably cross my mind but it won't hurt anymore. And the lesson I learned... forgiveness comes at the right time.
What is your favorite dish? Can you relate it to your life or the current state of your lovelife? As for me, I will be the slow-cooked, spicy yet cheesy Caldereta, savory creaminess with a kick.
Eh yung tawaging Kare-kare ang Caldereta mo... ibang usapan na yan!
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