Bringing Back Home-cooked Meal Goodness with Knorr #LutongNanay Campaign

I grew up with my mom cooking everyday for us and as a family we would happily feast on those home-cooked meals together. Aside from the sumptuous food, meal time also makes our family closer because this is a chance for us to talk and catch up after each others daily shenanigans. Those were the days I love looking back to, memories of our family being together and complete. Fast forward to the present, we now have our own separate lives as my siblings and I already have our own families too. And as a mom that I am now, one of the things that I admire from my mom is her passion and dedication in making sure that we feel loved and taken cared of with her home-cooked meals every day. 

I love cooking for my family too though I'm really not that good in it, the smiles on their face as they feed on the meals I was able to cook up (thanks to Google lol) makes me very happy. The kids are also the sweetest, they would always say "You're the best cook ever mommy!" hearing this makes me want to cook even more. However, with the fast paced life we have now and as a work at home mom without a helper, most of the time I feel time crunched. To catch up, I would resort to doing things as fast as possible and that includes cooking instant easy to cook meal or sometimes we opt for fast food delivery. 

Knorr recognized this problem faced by every moms out there that's why they launched their #LutongNanay campaign which is now on its 3rd year. Knorr Lutong Nanay campaign aims to bring back the passion for food as shown in home-cooked meals to the Filipino families.

 The campaign also helps busy and working moms find time to cook for her family by introducing simple, smart and great tasting dishes that the family will love through recipe inspiration. 

And, to further promote Knorr’s #LutongNanay campaign, a follow up event was held last August 12, 2016 at The Cookery Place in BGC, Taguig. It was a privilege to be chosen to participate on this event together with some of the ultimate fellow foodie mommy bloggers who are very much passionate about food and flavor just like me. Our household is also loyal Knorr consumer, from their Sinigang Mix, broth cubes and their delicious easy to cook soups. 

The event was hosted by Louise Fandino-Santos, a Knorr Mom and blogger of Mommy Practicality. It started with each of us introducing ourselves and sharing cooking stories, tips, family favorites, and our signature dishes wherein Sinigang is the most common answer given by everyone in the group. Indeed Sinigang is our all-time family favorite, pork, bangus, shrimp or beef you name it, plus it's very easy to prepare! With Sinigang, I also get my kids to eat veggies and they love the #AsimKilig warm soup, yum!

The group sharing was then followed by a short brand presentation on Knorr #LutongNanay.  According to Knorr’s Brand Manager for Bouillon and Seasonings, Dhiren Karnani, 

“Our goal is to bring back the value behind home cooked meals especially since people choose to eat outside or even alone in this fast-paced world. Knorr aims to help more moms bring the family together through the best flavors in their cooking.”  

Because it's an all-time family favorite, the event focused on Sinigang. We were shown clips from one of their old advertisement, and the present.  Then Chef Kai – a talented chef and a mother to two –did a cooking demonstration of the Knorr Sinigang sa Pakwan. After which, we were divided into 4 groups and each group were challenged to cook different variations of Sinigang dish.

The Four different Sinigang variations that we prepared and enjoyed that day, was the Knorr Sinigang with Pakwan, Knorr Surf and Turf Sinigang, Knorr Sizzling Sinigang. and the Knorr Sinigang na Liempo sa Sampaloc which was prepared by my group. All these variations are not usual to all of us so we were really curious and excited. 

Team work :)

With my #TeamSinigangNaLiempo groupmates Khaye, Lally and event host Louise

Ours was the original version and the easiest to prepare among the four recipes. Everyone was busy  cooking but you can sense that we are all having a great time. After cooking, we plated our Sinigang dishes making use of the props available, each of us channeled our inner photography and flat lay skills that are Instagram worthy.

 It was one of the memorable event that I attended. Aside from learning something new that day it was also a chance for us mommy bloggers to bond and get to know each other, it was so much fun!

So, here are the finished products that each groups prepared. Caution: Drool worthy! I'm so excited to whip up these new #AsimKiligPaMore Sinigang dishes for my family. 

From upper left to lower right: 

Knorr Sinigang with Pakwan, 

Knorr Sizzling Sinigang, 

Knorr Surf and Turf Sinigang 

and the Knorr Sinigang na Liempo sa Sampaloc

(Click the names for the recipe)

Now, I'm also more inspired and determined to prepare home-cooked meal for my family.because they only deserve the best from me. Just like what Dhiren Karnani said:

“Cooking is a force for good. When a mother cooks, it is often seen as a way for her to ensure her family’s well being – and through Knorr, moms can serve nutritious meals without sacrificing great flavor” 

Thank you Knorr for having me and for bringing flavors to the Filipino lives for more than 45 years now and counting!