We Can Live On Cans of Tomatoes & Anchovy Fillets

We stocked up the larder, and are ensuring that they remain stocked. Besides pasta, we hoarded cans of Mutti tomatoes and tubes of tomato paste. Topped up many cans of Brisling sardines and anchovy fillets. This type of protein on bread is the man's default savory breakfast. The friends passed us their stash of four gorgeous bottles of anchovies from Delicius. WAAAAH. WE LOVE THESE GIFTS. We can make delicious meals out of them.

For dinner that night, the man tossed up a simple pan of spiced pork sausages and cannellini beans in tomato sauce with fusilli. Added two chilli padi to it for a kick. The man enjoys cooking, and doing it almost every day is cathartic. This is so easy to whip up. We don't need complicated food, and we definitely can't eat takeout every day. It's just not feasible. As much as I want to #SaveFnBSG, I can't. Many of the restaurant-direct delivery charges are ridiculous, and the food apps take too much commission for these restaurants to break even. I can't justify an $80 minimum spend for each meal, or even spending that every other day. I have a budget and I would like to keep to it. (Food gifts for friends belong to a different budget. Hahaha.) I'm happy strolling out to tapau good nasi padang or brainless comfort food from a decent point-point rice stall.

We used half a box of pasta (250g) and three raw sausages mashed up. It turned out to be a a generous portion for four. While we could keep the rest in the fridge for the next meal, we though it would be nice to pass this portion for two to our neighbors. So we did. And we got an unexpected gift in return which thrilled the man — they gave us a big slice of homebaked cheesecake. Ahhhhh. They spoil us. These are the same neighbors who give us bread. They don't have to do so, but they did.

I didn't know the stores were running out of flour and somehow managed to score a few big bags of all-purpose and bread flour for the friends (what would I do with flour), and when the delivery arrived, I also gave some to said neighbors. (Then the crazy Phoon Huat queues began two days after.) I didn't know that the neighbors had been searching for the exact brand of flour for a long time. I was happy that a non-baker like me hit a random cloud of luck in selecting the right bags of flour left at their doorstep. We can't get together for a meal now, but we can mask up and safely deliver to the next door or next block without being accused of 'visiting' or 'gathering'. We 'see' one another via a video call. Being able to #StayHome is an immense privilege. In these times of uncertainty and fear, we share what we can. It helps people feel less alone.