Believe me when I say that Purefoods Corned Beef has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. I can associate so many memories with it, like those of my childhood when we used to go home every Christmas to my dad’s province in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija where his yaya, whom we fondly called “Ateng” would cook it in batches (we were a large family after all—my dad and his 7 siblings, the in-laws, and 18 of us cousins), and place them on top of freshly-baked pan de sal.
This was a staple merienda, laced with unforgettable recollections. To relive them, and on frequent occasions where I would crave this simple dish, I would replicate the recipe and indulge in corned beef and pan de sal with my younger siblings. In fact, corned beef has become such a staple in our pantry because it’s easy, versatile, quick to cook, and most importantly, it’s delicious! You can never go wrong with it!
On nights when my mom, dad or yaya are too busy or exhausted to cook a lavish dinner, or when unexpected guests come to the house and our ulam isn’t sufficient, we just whip out two to three cans of Purefoods Corned Beef Classic, add garlic, onions and potatoes, and voila! Everyone is happy. With the expansion of their line, which I’ll talk about a little later, it gives us even more options for a quick, convenient, and delicious meal.
Many people will probably find it strange, but I honestly prefer having corned beef more than adobo or sinigang. It’s true. Seeing corned beef served on the table ignites a certain giddy feeling every single time, and it’s in these moments that I tend to eat more than one cup of rice (which is unusual). While most people prefer to have corned beef in the morning, I actually like eating it more at night for dinner, after a long day, when the family is complete. It’s the kind of comfort food that’s guaranteed to make you feel better.
My love for Purefoods Corned Beef was one of the main reasons I was ecstatic to attend the event at Sip and Gogh. As a frustrated artist (I’ve been trying to paint since I was a little girl, though I lack talent in that department), I really enjoyed the activity and even finished my painting of a starry night sky with love birds looking up at the stars. It’s a very unique twist to the usual press events I’m accustomed to attending, but painting that afternoon reminded me of all the times I used to paint at home as a little girl, using watercolour paint, in just my sando and shorts, and I would paint mountains, trees and rice fields.
It was very nostalgic. Being surrounded by mouth-watering dishes made with Purefoods Blue Line reminded me of our late Ateng and the simple merienda she would always prepare for us.
I also discovered that afternoon that aside from my favorite classic corned beef, their portfolio has expanded to even more variants like the Chorizo Bilbao Style, Luncheon Meat, Liver Spread, and a new favorite, their Vienna Sausage.
It was definitely an experience that triggered a lot of happy childhood memories—something that I wish to build with my future children someday. Of course, Purefoods will still be a staple in our pantry as well.