Cheesy Bacon Mushroom Champ "Feels like Home"

It feels like home. I am definitely home. That's what I said after taking a bite of the Jolibee's newest addition, Cheesy Bacon Mushroom Champ. As a kid I grew up loving Jolibee's burger and up until now they never fail to deliver that "langhap sarap" feeling. The aroma of the burger patty is so appealing and the first bite is always the best. ( followed by the second, the third until the last bite. LOL )

 

Cheesy Bacon Mushroom Champ  is like your ordinary champ but way (way) better because instead of tomatoes and lettuce it has bacons and mushrooms slathered with cheese over 1/3 pound beef patty. Bacon, Mushroom, Cheese? all-together? C'mon! who wouldn't love that eh? Not me, I love it from the bottom of my heart. ( oh! gosh! I'm craving) I love that they do not scrimp on the toppings and patty is still the juiciest, yummy-est ever.

That's what I'm tallking about. Overloaded!

I'm actually thinking that I should head out right now to the nearest Jolibee store because writing this is making me hungry. Seriously!

Ciao!

Tinapayan Festival: Puffs, Eclairs and Beehives

I am never a fan of sweets especially that of a chocolate flavored treat but a sudden irresistible temptation shone upon me one day while scouting the area of Dapitan. Tinapayan Festival is known for their cream puffs and chocolate eclairs. Though they also serve different bread and pastries like that of a typical bakery but only much better; taste wise and presentation wise. Tinapayan Festival is always a busy place I cannot remember a day passing it without people inside. From then, I know that I have to give it a try. As suggested by friends their cream puff and chocolate eclairs is a must try. So what is expected of me, of course I gave in to their whims after all there's no harm in trying. Lol.

two of everything :)

Cream Puffs

Chocolate Eclairs

Chocolate Beehive

I order two each of Cream Puff and Eclairs and an order of Chocolate Beehive. The reason behind is that I find the shape of chocolate beehive cute and interesting. Haha. The cream puff was a love at first bite. The crunchy pastry with a not so sweet filling and a brittle sugar on top make it so addicting. While that of the Chocolate Eclairs, I love that it is not so sweet. Its chewy it is good but not astounding. The Chocolate Beehive has a very rich flavor. The cake is moist but it is tad too sweet for my liking. I don't know if it's just me cause I am not a fan of chocolate, you should give it a try though.

Tinapayan Festival has lots to offer and I can't wait to try their ensaymadas. Till next time!

Ciao!

My Favorite: Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

For all the things that I love about Christmas, Starbucks' Peppermint Mocha is definitely one of them ( and their Starbucks planner LOL ). At some point in my life I got hooked in collecting Starbucks stickers that I got immensely big (although I'm still on the heavy side until now Lol ) I was on panic mode. That was the end of it I never collected stickers after that. But still, I never missed this time of the year on not having even just one of this favorite drink of mine.

The color is so festive that it really feels like Christmas. The combination of the mint flavor and slight bitter taste from the coffee topped with a crushed candy cane is a surprise on my mouth. The ambiance and the aroma from the coffee shop and the Christmas music on the background brings out that holiday feeling. Alas! Few more days to go and the whole world will be celebrating this joyous season.

Cheers to y'all! Merry Christmas! and have a great one!

Ciao!

The Unexpected: Uncle John's Fried Chicken

Uncle John's Fried Chicken

If I feel like eating fried chicken, I would just drop by at Ministop near my workplace and order their Uncle John's Fried Chicken. What set this aside from the other is the unique flavor and the uber crispy skin that is fried to perfection. The chicken itself is tender and juicy. At Php 99, you'll have two humongous cut of chicken. Seriously! The serving size alone will put its other competitors to shame. But be wary, though it boast of flavors and a good cut of chicken, it can be oily that much. So make sure that you have Uncle John's in moderation. Hehe. Ministop may not be the usual fast food joint that we know but it has lots to offer try Uncle John's. :)

Ciao! 

Quick Lunch: Katsudon

While many of us can be busy at times (or to lazy hehe) ,cooking is never an option. We just drop by at the nearest store and grab our food in the quickest time possible. That makes 7-Eleven and Ministop my ultimate "tambayan". They've come a long way from serving hotdog sandwiches, siopao and siomai they now offer rice meals and pastas and other pre-cooked food. The good thing is they keep on upgrading and expanding their selections. Real convenient for us busy people! ( or lazy people *winks)

Just like any other lunch day, you'll see me at 7-Eleven roaming around for something new (atleast something new for me). Then contemplate whether to try it or just stick around with my usual, which is a hotdog sandwich and siomai. But this day is no ordinary because I brave to try their "microwavable meal" which does not happen a lot because somewhere in me is a picky eater. I just have this connotation that they're no good. So judgmental. Haha!

But when I spotted Katsudon, I just have to give it a try. There is a thin pork somewhere (haha) coated with egg topped over a japanese rice with a sweet sauce. Honestly I don't expect much and its a good thing that I did not. I'm neither saying it's good nor bad. It was just okay. The flavor is there but still the taste is forgettable. I guess I just have to stick to my usual again. Oh but wait! There's a baby back ribs on the shelf hmmm... *winks*

Till then! Ciao!

Spicy Squid at Ersao

Even before the hype in Milk Tea started, there is Ersao standing strong and firm until now. And unlike any other milk tea house, Ersao offers rice meals and noodles to pair with your tea. Just like any other, they have a wide array of tea selection to choose from. While the milk tea may fell short on the flavors their Spicy squid and spicy chicken is nothing but yummy. Whenever I dine at Ersao I will always have either of the two and it never disappoint. The spicy squid/chicken topped with crispy basil bring wonders to my mouth. I can never get tired of having this even with the crispy basil alone. I just love it!

Ciao!

Tuna Pasta

One thing that you should now about me is my love for pasta and noodles. It is my comfort food whenever hormonal imbalance that causes emotional turmoil that lead to severe depression caught up on me. Oh well, that is just me exaggerating things. LOL. But yeah pasta, noodles and I are sort of in a relationship.

Anyway, I'm just here to share a simple recipe that I have learned from one of my former colleague. She call this "Pasta Ala Pobre" to add a sosy twang to it but I prefer the simplicity of just "Tuna Pasta".

Ingredients:

250 gm. pasta

2 cans of tuna

button mushrooms (sliced)

garlic

butter

salt and pepper

1. Cook pasta according to the package. Then set aside.

2. Saute garlic, butter and mushroom.

3. Add the tuna then salt and pepper to taste.

4. Then add the pasta.

Voila! As easy as 1-2-3. And easy on the budget too.

Foodtrip: Army Navy

I maybe fat but I am never a burger kind of person. So what am I doing on a burger joint specifically, Army Navy. It is all my lil bro's fault, no it's my mistake actually I shouldn't have asked him where he wanted to eat knowing that he loves burger that much and I am the sister who will obliged no matter what. To cut the long story short we end up having our dinner at Army Navy near UST.

The place has a very modern-ish feel. Its actually very cool and comfy. There are a few diners since it's a Sunday evening. But on weekdays, whenever I pass the area on my way to work, the place is pack with students nonetheless.

Looking at their menu, I was flummoxed. I cannot do this. I felt temptation and guilt rolling at the same time. But what am I supposed to do, well I opted for the lesser evil (or so I thought). I ordered Vegetable Burrito. Haha! Well at least I still had my greens. If it does count.

Vegetable Burrito

"Flour Tortilla filled with Spanish rice, beans, onions, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, green bell pepper, cilantro guacamole and sour cream"

Salsa and the Sour cream

Here's the proper way to eat your burrito. See that? 

Vegetable Burrito comes with a slice of lime, salsa and sour cream. The combination of this all was very pleasant to my palate. I had 2-3 bites then I'm done. I had mine for take home. Not because it's not good enough. It's pretty flavorful but knock knock I'm trying to lose weight here and I can't just lose myself now. The order is too heavy for me and I just cant eat it on one sitting I'll have the rest of it tomorrow.

But what I cannot resist ( and I need to do my evening run for this ) is the Freedom fries. Which is actually a very limited freedom. This is where I am wishing that I have more of this seasoned, thinly cut, crispy fries. Pair it with their freshly brewed iced tea. So good and refreshing.

Why can't I have more of my freedom?

My lil bro's order was based on where his eyes landed first and that's the huge poster near the order taker, the Starving Sailor Sandwich. In which you can choose whether you like steak or chicken, my brother chose the latter.

"Thinly sliced Rib Eye Steak or Chicken topped with Jalapeno cheese spread, green bell pepper and caramelized onions in an 8-inch sourdough bread. "

I didn't get to taste this one, but according to lil bro at first bite, he noticed the bread. Its not like the others he had tried. Though the onions overpower everything and he just noticed the cheese spread like a minute before he finished eveything for him it was still really good and filling. And I am a living witness to that I saw it on his face and he ate everything in what, like, five minutes?? ;)

I am very much curious about the bread though, which my brother is raving on our way home. So maybe, there's a reason to be back at Army Navy's after all. ;)

Ciao! 

The Tradition Continues with Excelente Ham

Days are becoming shorter. Nights are becoming colder. Christmas jingles on every corner. Traffic jams everywhere. I can smell Christmas! Yes! It's definitely near! The season that I love the most. And you know what else I smell... EXCELENTE HAM. Hahaha!

Christmas for me is never complete without hamon and quezo de bola. I remember as a child I would remind mom to buy hamon and keso for christmas. She would always buy from the grocery. Not until three years ago that we first tried Excelente Ham, the best tastiest ham there is. And it has always been that way eversince. 

Excelente ham is not like your usual ham the price may be steep (Php 900/kilo) but it boast of flavors and authenticity. The smokiness, sweetness and saltiness blend just right that you'll want more and more. No wonder people would gather and fall in line in there Quiapo store even its albeit rundown but nonetheless serves a "pang-high end" quality hamon.

C'mon give it a try!

Ciao!

An Egg-citing treat from Kinder Joy

Egg Surprise

I was browsing the shelves of Mercury Drug when I an egg-shaped treat caught my attention. Curiousity got me because of the surprise inside and I so love surprises. I bought one just to check it out.

The two halves of the egg

You have to crack it open or break it in half. The other half holds the surprise, the one with the question mark on it and the spoon on top. Yep that's the spoon.

The toy inside I wonder what it is

Assembled into a watch like gadget :)

I opened the surprise first it is a watch like toy that kids will surely enjoy. Although I dont get how it works. LOL. 

And the other half is a yummy goodness of crispy cocoa ferrero like balls on a a bed of milk chocolate. Yummy! Kids and young at heart like me will surely be delighted on this egg-citing sweet goodness.

Try something sweet ones in awhile.

Ciao!

A treat at Intensitea

Milk teas are sprouting everywhere. I, myself has been hooked by the sudden craze in milk tea which I don't even know when and how it started. I dislike tea of any kind, but that was before I am changed. I am now a convert and I love green tea the most.

The thing about milk tea is that they have lots of flavors to offer, it is so hard to choose so you'll end up with their bestseller most likely, Wintermelon Milk Tea. Nothing can go wrong with wintermelon milk tea it is by far the safest choice if you're new on trying out this kind of drink.

Lucky for me, I never have to travel far to have a cup of tea because Intensitea just opened a couple of months ago at Suki Market which is a walking distance from my place. The good thing about Infinitea is that they also offer rice toppings, dimsums and sandwiches to pair with their drinks.

Beef Mediterranean (Php 55)

I get to try their Beef Mediterranean which is apparently very good. The beef is very tender and flavorful. I was amazed because I really didnt think that they can pull this one, well, I am wrong on so many levels. This is a must try!

Pork Adobo with Egg (Php 55)

I also get to try their Pork Adobo with egg. The acidity is too much but the milk tea neutralizes the flavor so I guess it works for me.

Butterscotch Milk Tea

 I have for my drink a Butterscotch Milk Tea. I wanted a new flavor but it didn't appeal to me. It was just okay. Not a hint of butterscotch there. The flavor is similar to Oolong Black Tea of Simple Line.

For a cheap and decent meal try Intensitea.  

Ciao! 

Impakabsat 2013

I have a thing for bazaars. A place that I can find almost anything. Weird and cool trinkets. Food finds that is making it's name on the market. Home decors, big or small. Clothing, shoes accessories and a lot more. All this in one place and at a very affordable price. Not to mention some stalls give away freebies, discounts, free tastes and other gimiks so to catch the attention of the consumer.

Lucky for me and my mom when Impakabsat 2013 were on the roll. We were in Festival mall to buy the shirt for yolanda victims when a weird looking statue caught my attention. An event is being held nonetheless, Impakbsat 2013, wherein the Cordillera region gathers authentic merchandise and hand made products from Abra, Apayao, Ifugao, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Baguio City.

Beautiful pieces and wood carvings were all over the place. Sorry I didn't get to take a picture, the place was crowded though. I cannot do any ninja moves for the picture shots. Oh Well!

A lot of things caught my attention like the champorado without tsokolate. Is that even possible? Oh yes! With Unoy's Organic Champorado Rice you just have to add water and bring it to a boil. Add sugar and milk according to your preference. Thats it! It's good. I think it tasted better than the traditional champorado.

The finished product

What caught my mom's was Mama Nancy's wine stall. My mom collects wine and drinks. But she's no expert neither do I. I only know the basic like red wine goes with red meat and white wine goes with white meat. My expertise stops at that.

Mama Nancy's booth

Bottles of Bugnay wine

Bignay or Bugnay is a small edible fruit found in the northern part of the Philippines. The tree bears fruit in clusters like grapes with its sour and sweet taste it is made into jam, wines and vinegar. 

My Mom doing negotiations with Mama Nancy

A basket with Bugnay Wine (Php 150) and Bugnay Vinegar (Php75) 

 

According to mom, Bugnay wine taste better than Novellino and I do agree. For me its the taste between Novellino and Maria Clara Sangria. It has a sweet taste and aroma.

Bugnay Vinegar

With Bugnay vinegar, the acidity and the sweetness blends just right giving a very distinct flavor and aroma. I wonder how this will pair with adobo. I guess have to try that one. ;)

See you on my next bazaar hopping!

Ciao!