Must-Try Bottled Foods to Eat on No Ulam Days

Hopefully, we are all slowly withdrawing from our canned food season for fast and convenient meal-prepping. With loads of preservatives and intense processes, they aren’t the healthiest. Not to mention they are also prone to dents due to handling, which makes the food content highly unsafe for consumption once the seam is damaged and bacteria enters.

A better and safer substitute is bottled food, also called jarred food or food preserved in a bottle. They are typically stored in glass jars and undergo natural preserving processes. 

At the same time, most bottled foods are mostly preserved homecooked meals, making them a great alternative for busy days when you particularly want cooked food. This is highly in contrast to canned foods which usually just contain sausages, plain tuna, corned beef, or meatloaf which offer little to no flavor, texture, and nutrients above all.

The following jarred food recommendations are proud Filipino products made by Better Options Food, serving as great quick meal ideas or easy-to-bring meals despite having a long shelf life.

Adobong Tahong in Olive Oil

Adobong Tahong in Olive Oil is a fusion of classic Filipino cuisines, Adobo and Tahong (succulent mussels), marinated and stewed in a savory blend of soy sauce and vinegar, then preserved in premium olive oil for an extra layer of richness.

This product uses locally sourced mussels carefully selected from trusted local farmers and guaranteed fresh and high quality.

It has a rich and juicy flavor thanks to the combination of soy sauce, vinegar, and olive oil, creating a savory, briny flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the mussels.

It’s also healthy and delicious with the enhancements through olive oil, providing the dish with heart-healthy fats and a smooth finish.

This is a great school lunch idea for the kids who love the Filipino classic adobo!

Buttered Garlic Tahong

Bet we can all agree that garlic butter shrimp is one of the world’s most heaven-sent dishes. But what if we substitute the shrimp with green mussels?

Buttered Garlic Tahong is made from succulent mussels sautéed and enveloped in a generous, saucy mixture of butter and garlic. The creaminess of butter and the strong pungent flavor of garlic perfectly balance the natural ocean taste of tahong, creating a tasty and creamy blend of flavors as they seep and penetrate through the tender, juicy mussels.

Adobo Flakes

Adobo Flakes is a revamped version of Adobo, a traditional and popular Filipino cuisine, transformed into savory, tasty flaky bits and is easy to prepare and eat.

Adobo Flakes is made from tender pork belly or chicken breast slowly simmered in a tangy blend of vinegar and soy sauce until peak tenderness. The cooked meat is then shredded into delicate flakes and fried to achieve a crispy, golden-brown texture.

This is a versatile meal option perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Its crispy exterior and tender interior make one bite rich in both taste and texture. And because it is locally made based on the classic Adobo recipe, it’s guaranteed to embody authentic flavors!

Gourmet Tuyo

Better Options’ Gourmet Tuyo is a sophisticated take on a traditional Filipino breakfast favorite. It features tuyo (dried herring) cooked in corn oil and infused with garlic and a blend of spices. The result is a rich, flavorful dish that’s perfect for all-time everyday meals from breakfast to dinner!

Even though simple in comparison to the others, its strength and selling point is that it retains the natural and iconic flavor of tuyo by merely enhancing it with garlic and other spices.

Benefits of Bottled Food

Bottled food provides a great number of benefits, including extended shelf life, retained nutritional value, convenience, reduced food waste, and economic advantages.

It remains a reliable and practical choice for individuals and families who want accessible, affordable, and nutritious food options.

How Long Do Bottled Foods Last?
Due to new methods of preservation, if foods are preserved correctly, they should be safe for years. However, it’s important to know that the quality and nutritional value decreases over time.

According to the National Center for Home Food Preservation, make sure to only preserve food enough to last one year for safe consumption. Better yet, check the expiration date and consume only within the recommendation.

Easy-to-Pack School Lunch for Kids
Now that you’ve read this far, you might be contemplating packing these bottled foods as a school lunch for your kids. But at the same time, even though a healthier option compared to canned food, you might be worried it’s too salty due to the nature of the recipes.

In this case, a more recommendable option is bottled laing by Kucai’s Kitchen. It’s made with taro leaves and coconut cream mixed with a bunch of tasty spices. Despite being simple and mainly a vegetable dish (which not all kids are fond of), its delicious taste will be loved by your little ones! 

Read the following article for more information: Easy-to-Pack School Lunch for Kids