Claudine bares her inner cook

By Marane Plaza

With a number of films and teleseryes that she?s made, it?s easy to say that we have seen all of her. She has practically grown right before our eyes, and it?s hard to deny that she?s always been part of our TV lives. From a teen sensation, to an award-winning actress, and now a wonderful mother and wife, Claudine Barretto?s graceful transformation is indeed amazing and moving.

But we sure haven?t seen it all, until Claudine has chosen to be a realista.

?A realista is someone who?s practical and resourceful, and will never compromise quality more than anything,? Claudine answered when asked what realista means. And this ?realista side? of her has indeed manifested as she endorses new Knorr Real Sarap All-in-One Seasoning Mix.

Claudine?s real side was elaborately shown as she whipped delectable dishes for some media friends recently in a cooking demo hosted by Tintin Bersola. The country?s favorite actress demonstrated how to cook her specialty, Adobong Ilonggo. And her secret recipe? Of course, Knorr Real Sarap Mix.

?I grew up seeing Knorr seasoning being used by my parents and aunts. And I?m thrilled to endorse something that we personally use at our home,? she beamed. Claudine is naturally picky when it comes to commercials, especially now that she has two kids to consider. ?I see to it that what I endorse is something that I?m using, because my kids always see what I?m patronizing at home.?

Claudine?s version of adobo has pinches of onions and ginger, ingredients that are not really seen in a typical adobo. And the spices and herbs of Knorr Real Sarap All-in-One Seasoning Mix added special tastes in the dish. This unique recipe resulted into bringing inasal flavors within adobo, making it truly Ilonggo.

?My mom was from Iloilo that?s why I want to share the Ilonggo taste in my recipe,? she said. Claudine came from a family of cooks, and she learned cooking from her aunt, Glenda Barretto, who?s the owner of the famous Via Mare chain of restaurants in the country. ?I grew up doing small tasks inside the kitchen, and I was trained by Ninang?s [Glenda Barretto?s] meticulous ways when it comes to choosing quality ingredients.?

The old adage ?to see is to believe? rings true for her. And the same holds true for Knorr. ?The best thing about Knorr Real Sarap is that I can really see and smell the herbs and spices!? she beamed. ?All other seasoning products in the market look the same, so I?m not sure if they have good quality.?

?What I love most is that Knorr Real Sarap has no distinct taste, because it blends in any kind of dish. Be it in fried fish, or salpicao, or just plain rice, Knorr blends with the food, enhancing its flavors. It?s like pepper, salt, herbs and spices combined, truly all-in-one. Plus, because its powder is really fine, the real goodness seeps easily and deeply into any meat, fish, or stew. It?s like a shortcut, with a lot of real flavors in a dish,? Claud explained. Knorr Real Sarap is the only seasoning in the market which has real spices and herbs. ?And these flavors in one product is very affordable, unlike any other expensive seasonings,? she added.

Without a doubt, everyone in the crowd enjoyed and fell in love with Claudine?s Adobong Ilonggo. But the real judges at the mini-cooking show were no less than her husband, Raymart Santiago, her children Sabina and Santino, and of course, her strict cooking guru, her Ninang Glenda. Everybody held their breath as they waited for the judges? reaction, and their verdict? The panel of judges fell head over heels with Claudine?s Adobong Ilonggo, and definitely approved of Knorr Real Sarap!

?I prioritize my family more than anything else, and I make sure I only choose the best for them, and Knorr Real Sarap All-in-One Seasoning Mix has that best and real quality that I?m looking for,? the beautiful realista said.