Bicol's DJC Halo Halo

DJC Halo Halo Supreme

If Pampanga has Razon's and South Cotabato has Apareja, then Bicol has DJC Halo Halo. Located in a chic building near Gaisano Mall, this place was recommended by those selling souvenirs at the Legazpi Bus Terminal. We're looking for a good local place to hang out and it was scorching hot so we all agreed to get some halo halo.

The place was jampacked when we went there at around 5 in the afternoon. Good thing we were able to secure seats, waiting time though took a while. Uncle ordered the Php85 Halo Halo Supreme. I thought since we're in Bicol, the halo halo would have that kick, a hint of spice, that is. Surprisingly, this was probably the only halo halo I tasted that is topped with cheese! It was good but not too memorable for my taste. But in case you're somewhere in Legazpi, do check out DJC, it's a local favorite.

TESDA: Homemade Chocolate Cake

Homemade Chocolate Cake

After our Elba gas range purchase last year, it took us months before we could actually use the oven part with mom baking her first homemade banana cake. Now, we're trying to experiment with yet another favorite cake - chocolate cake, what else!

We enrolled Jing, our ever skillful househelper, to one of TESDA's course - Pastry Baking. I'll be sharing more recipes we are currently trying from our simple kitchen. So stay tune for more TESDA recipes. She even baked one for my birthday and I'm so loving it - especially the frosting. I use the extra chocolate frosting and place it inside the ref and scoop up once in a while when the chocolate craving sets in. It's so easy and so cheap!   

Recipe: Homemade Banana Cake

homamde banana cake

Finally, months and months after we purchased our first Elba Gas Range, mom was able to bake her now most wanted dessert, a homemade banana cake. Inspired from big baking houses Pan de Manila and Red Ribbon's version of banana cake, I helped mom trying to come up with our own and cheaper version as well.

ingredients used

Pili Pasalubong Shopping

Pili dessert from Bicol

Went to Bicol last month and it was a weekend trip to remember, the more than 12 hours on the road is in itself an adventure - tiring but awesome. The province has been famous for its hot and spicy cuisine. Thankfully I got to try some of Bicol's specialties like Bicol Express, binutong, biniribid etc. So when we finally ready to take another long road trip back home, I wanted to bring home something to share with my family. Just when our group took a sidetrip to Guinobatan, Albay, I grabbed that chance to buy a local and tourist favorite - PILI!

Pili shopping at Morato Pili Sweets in Guinobatan, Albay. I love the Mazapan de Pili (the green covered bar in the picture).

Milo Blast from Jollibee

For only Php37 a cup, this Milo Blast, part of Jollibee's Sundae Mix-Ins is a great way to beat the heat this summer. This vanilla ice cream mixed with crushed cookies and the much familiar milo cereal balls and milo powder is a great way to bond with family or friends during a hot and humid afternoon.

Recipe: Halo - Halo

As an all-time Filipino dessert favorite, it's just fitting to share this Halo-Halo recipe this summer. Relax and chill everyone! Let's enjoy the summer sun :)

Ingredients:

1 ripe large banana
2 ripe mangoes or 1 cup canned ripe mango
1 cup firm gelatin set into gel and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup canned ripe jackfruit
1/2 cup sweet corn or chick peas (garbanzos)
1 cup young shredded coconut, fresh or canned
1 cup cooked sweet yams or (ube halaya) glutinous purple yam, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cup shaved ice
 2 cup milk
4 scoops of favorite ice cream
1/2 cup chopped peanuts or rice krispies Halo Halo

How to Assemble Halo-Halo
1. Peel mangoes and slice the meat into 1/2-inch cubes. Discard the seeds.
2. Prepare 4 tall glasses. Divide each ingredient into 4 equal parts.
3. In each glass place 1/4 of each ingredient, adding layer by layer starting with corn or chick peas, cooked sweet yams, jackfruit, bananas, coconut, and gelatin.
4. Top with 1/2 cup shaved ice. Pour 1/4 cup milk over shaved ice and top with a scoop of ice cream.
5. Sprinkle nuts or rice krispies over it.

related post: Enjoy an afternoon of Buko Halo Halo

Chic-Boy the second time

Chic-Boy's Inasal Paa

After a fun bowling activity at San Pedro Bowling Center, mom, Karen and I decided to take an early dinner at Chic-Boy. I was so impressed with their lechon sisig the first time so I would like to share the experience with mom and my sister. But alas, I was less impressed the second time...

Battling the Heat Wave with Blizzardly Goodness from DQ

The temperatures are up again in the Philippines and it feels like the heat of summer sun rises a bit early these days (I can't believe I'm sweating at like 6 in the morning!). While my usual morning breakfast of hot coffee is officially out for the meantime and cold water and fruit juices are in, it's also nice to get some chill time strolling the air-conditioned malls while enjoying a gooey cold treat at hand, like the Strawberry Oreo Blizzard from DQ.

It was my first time to try the flavor after a hearty lunch at Shakey's together with my brothers. In celebration of Oreo's 100th Anniversary, DQ launched 10 new Oreo-inspired flavors for Oreo lovers like me - Caramel marshmallows, Chocolate Oreo, Chocolate Truffle, Double Dutch , Mocha Kitkat, Mocha Oreo, Strawberry Kitkat, Strawberry Oreo, Ube Macapuno and White Truffle. 

Perfect Halo Halo from Razon's of Guagua

Razon's Halo Halo

Known to be Pampanga's famous halo-halo and pancit luglug, we decided to end our mini college reunion dinner at Razon's of Guagua (MOA branch) for their signature dessert. Unlike the usual colorful halo-halo which has a lot of fruit toppings, this one's a bit simple. But hey, looks can be deceiving! Their finely shaved ice, sweet leche flan, macapuno and banana is enough to satisfy every foodie's craving. A perfect example that less is more!

Palawan Pasalubong: Baker's Hill Deli

Baker's Hill pastries

My brother toured Palawan recently along with his High School friends. Also excited for my first Palawan visit  early next year, I have searched the web for some things to do, sites to see, and must bring pasalubong. Other than being one of the most visited tourist spots, pastries from Baker's Hill has been consistently earning some good reviews for their baked products. So I requested my brother to give it a try and bring home some of their goodies. He bought a box of Hopia Baboy, his all time favorite crinkles, a box of brownies and pieces of chocolate minicakes. I just wished he bought a set of some real local delicacies from Palawan. Anyway, I for sure will share more Baker's Hill goodies after my trip :)

KFC Streetwise Spoonfuls: Mango Cheescake

KFC Spoonful: Mango Cheesecake

I've written on my previous post that I am planning to get a taste of KFC's Streetwise Spoonful specifically aiming for the Mango Cheesecake flavor since both tv and print ads reminds me of my all time favorite dessert, the mango float. Got the chance to get outside the house this week for some banking errands and when I finally set foot at the KFC branch in Robinsons Sta. Rosa, I immediately ordered one along with the snackbox for a short merienda treat. I am huge KFC fan since time immemorial, and I've written a couple of KFC related posts in this blog but sadly this dessert was quite a disappointment for me :(

I am aware that print ads will always look better than how a product actually looks, but damn, the size of the cup is too freakin' small! I didn't mind at first because I expected that the taste would be exceptional, but nah, it's not! I know it wouldn't be tasting like an African Mango, but still,  it doesn't have that fresh mango zest, I tasted the cream more than the mango. It was not that addicting so to speak. Will I try it again? Probably not with another mango cheesecake, but I will still try out their other spoonful offerings, Choco Banana Cream perhaps?

Snack of the Week: Bukayo

Sharing yet another fave old time sweet Filipino dessert, bukayo. To my Ate Inday, how I wish you can see my blog...I would like to reach out my heartful gratitude not just for your recent padala but also for the loyalty and long years of service you have extended to my family. This sweet bukayo indeed brought back some good childhood memories.

Bukayo

Snack of the Week: Starbucks Squirrel Brand

Starbucks Squirrel brand
Expresso Milk Chocolate Macadamia Nuts

Snack of the Week time! Here's another yummy treat my brother's friends gifted to him - Starbucks Squirrel Brand Expresso Milk Chocolate Macadamia Nuts. They probably don't know that he's not into chocolates with nuts, bad news for him, good news for me! Mom and I loved this ultimate indulgence treat.

The Intruiging Fried Ice Cream?

What makes for an intriguing ice cream? Is it the flavor? The toppings? Or the way it is cooked, like fried?

Last week, me and a friend scouted a series of malls to basically do some research on possible food cart business. It was just about lunch time when we passed by this food cart selling fried ice cream. Yes, a fried ice cream!!! This treat wasn't really new to me but it was only that time where I got to take a closer look at how this intriguing treat is actually done.

Ice Scramble Nag Level Up Na!

When I was a kid, I loved to buy ice scramble that can be bought from a portable food cart (the ones that can literally go anywhere) usually seen right beside our local basketball court. The ice scramble back then is simply a flavored crushed ice topped with powdered milk and hershey's syrup served in a little yellow plastic cup. It's a refreshing affordable treat that long ruled Manila streets. Fast forward, today this popular yummy treat has completely glamed up - nag level up na!

Affordable Oatmeal Cookies

Days back, I was able to buy another of my favorite treats - Oatmeal Cookies from Armi's! Rarely do I get to eat this healthy snack as I still don't know how to bake one. (But I promised myself before the year ends, that I'll learn to bake delicious oatmeal cookies I can share with my family and friends)  These cookies from Armi's are really enjoyable to eat since it comes in bigger sizes plus it's really affordable too! You can actually buy one with just P12 compared to ones I saw in malls in Manila/Makati area selling for P30 a piece! So this one is definitely a steal!

P12 Oatmeal Cookies from Armi's Cakes and Pastries
Festival Mall, Alabang

Coffee Crunch Cake - My Favorite Red Ribbon Birthday Cake!

This Coffee Crunch Cake from Red Ribbon is one of our family's all time favorite cake flavors. Tempting layers of cream cake with delightful coffee crunch in between and topped with delicious honeycomb crunch. I like eating it alongside their palabok meal. Furthermore, this cake has always been a familiar treat for every family member's birthday. Last January 18 was my sister's birthday, she's now 20. A special child of God like her with special needs deserved to be gifted with a special treat.

Coffee Crunch cake is priced at Php340 (Junior) - Php540 (Regular) and can serve 6-8 persons.

Truly whatever the celebration, it's more beautiful with a Red Ribbon!

My Free Brownies from BDO

pre-packed brownies from Brownies Unlimited

As part of BDO's holiday treat to its credit card users, they're giving away free one value 12-Pak of pre-assorted brownies from Brownies Unlimited worth Php142 for each single BDO credit card slip worth P3,000 or for accumulated BDO credit card slips worth P3,000 of at least P1,000 per charge slip.

Recipe: Potato Salad

Here's another family recipe, I wish to share.

Ingredients:
1 k potatoes
1 big chicken breast
3 pcs medium sized carrots
500ml mayonnaise
1 can pineapple tidbits or chunks
1/2 c sweet pickle relish
1 c cheddar cheese, diced
3 tbsp chopped spring onions
iodized salt to taste
pepper (optional)

Procedure:
1. Boil potatoes and peel
      How to peel potatoes fast? Here's a 10 seconds tip - Scoop out boiled potato and submerge in iced water. Wait for five seconds before removing potato and gently pull at both ends, it will slide effortlessly. See video here 
2. Dice potatoes
3. Boil chicken with salt then shred
4. Drain Pineapple
5. Combine all ingredients

Holiday Treat from Cinnabon

What I love most about the holidays is we all have the perfect guilt free excuse to treat and surrender ourselves with delicious holiday treats, just like Cinnabon's cinnamon rolls. After all, our life needs frosting!


Remember to heat the rolls before serving!
Want to know its nutritional facts? visit their website at www.cinnabon.com

holiday package of cinnamon rolls from Cinnabon