Chef Tatung Sarthou recently showed that great cooking doesn’t have to be complicated during a Simpol.ph livestream that elevated everyday ulam into something special — all with the help of Maggi Ginisahog, a new plant-based seasoning mix from Nestlé Philippines.
Cooking alongside Kristine Gutierrez, a home cook and longtime Simpol follower from Quezon City, Chef Tatung accepted an on-the-spot challenge: to prepare as many dishes as possible using Maggi Ginisahog, with no prior prep. The number of dishes was determined by a random draw live on air, adding a layer of spontaneity and excitement to the event.
In just over an hour, the duo completed seven flavorful and affordable dishes that highlighted the seasoning’s versatility and convenience. The featured recipes included crispy vegetable nuggets (prepared by Ms. Gutierrez), spicy peanut noodles, and stir-fried sayote with tofu and mushrooms — a personal request from the guest cook. They also created mapo eggplant, quick and satisfying chao fan, and comforting patola sotanghon soup, each one showing how a simple pantry ingredient can be transformed into a flavorful meal.
Gutierrez prepares crispy vegetable nuggets, one of the featured dishes during the live cooking session that highlighted the versatility of Maggi Ginisahog.
Maggi Ginisahog is made from plant-based proteins designed to replicate the texture and umami-rich flavor of sautéed ground meat. Once rehydrated, a single pack can substitute for up to 100 grams of ground meat — offering an affordable, accessible and meat-free option for everyday Filipino cooking.
All dishes were prepared in real time, with no pre-cooked ingredients or staged mise en place, making the outcome even more impressive. Viewers and taste testers gave positive feedback across the board, praising both the flavor and creativity of the meals.
Maggi Ginisahog is currently available exclusively online, providing easy access for home cooks nationwide.
Among the completed dishes — all made from scratch with no prior prep using a single plant-based ingredient, Maggi Ginisahog.
A full replay of the livestream is available on Simpol.ph’s Facebook page, where viewers can watch how one simple ingredient turned a live kitchen challenge into a showcase of flavor, ingenuity and the joy of cooking at home.
