Nestle Ice Cream For Parties

While planning for my Sophie's 7th birthday, I knew there just got to be ice cream. 

While conceptualizing for her birthday, one theme that came to mind was 'Sophie's Favorite Things' among others (I lost count of how many themes and concepts we thought of that time) and ice cream was top of mind. Since ice cream is really one of my kids' fave things, it should never be missed in the party no matter what theme.

I wanted to have something different than the usual sorbetero for the party because it doesn't go well with the Disney Frozen theme. Then I remembered seeing Nestle at a friend's party and googled it. I saw this site: http://icecreamparty.ph/

The website is pretty much user-friendly, just follow the instructions on the site. We chose Mix-It-Up package, they throw in a free cart for every P1,500.00. I got our package for less than P2,000 and we got enough for our 100 guests. Compare that to a basic sorbetero package which starts at P3,000.00 

After you've placed your order, you will have to wait for the confirmation through call or text. Me, the OC mom, had to call them to inform them I already placed my order. Hihi. I was informed I will be contacted a week before the event. True enough, I got a text from a distributor near our area that they will be delivering our order and even offered to upgrade the cart to one that's being used in BGC and Makati City. Not sure what it looks like but I said yes anyway. 

Everyone enjoyed the ice cream! My little handsome ate 3 so can you imagine his energy that day? LOL. 

kids multitasking, eating ice cream while playing games

Food Share: Wholesome Pop Rice and Live Yoghurt

Happy Tuesday everyone! The past days have been just rain, rain, rain right? This is the season when we stay home more to keep safe and warm and nothing beats staying in bed longer than usual, watching your fave series on cable or dvd while munching your fave snack.

Here are some snacks I found in the grocery, healthy and delicious. A guilt-free way to munch and crunch :)

 Wholesome Pop Rice (P79.00)

A dairy-free, gluten-free and cholesterol-free vegan snack that tastes good and nutrient-packed. I found these in Rustan's Supermarket in Il Terazzo, T. Morato. 

It's got a number of variants with interesting combination of flavor. I tried the 5 grains variant but the green tea and black sesame seem interesting as well. I'll try that next time.

 The 5 grains variant really hit the spot for me. I love how the taste of cashew, almond and sunflower seed comes together in my mouth. And the pop rice, it's always been a personal fave snack. 

The size of the pop rice is as big as a one peso coin for easy snacking.

 Bought the pop rice for me and the Quaker Twinkle fruits (12.00) for the kids. They just love these. 

Here's another new find from the grocery, Live Yoghurt from Hacienda Macalauan in Laguna (approx. P 25) 

I found this in Cherry Foodarama. It's like having your quick fix of live lactobacillus but with the blueberry flavor. Other flavors are mango, nata de coco, pineapple and full cream. My little boy love yogurt because he think it's ice cream and doesn't mind that it's a little sour than ice cream especially if the flavor is mango.

As with any yogurt, this should be kept refrigerated and consumed within 48 hours from the time it was bought.
Healthy yum and it's proudly Pinoy made :)

 How about you, any recent healthy snack discovery to share? :)

Recipe Share: Cheesy Ensaymada

Before I start off with the recipe, I just want to share how totally lucky I am to have come across this recipe book. Yummy Bake Give, Sell! cook book is just a great addition to my collection and so far the kulitogs and I have tried about 4 recipes. Our fave is S'mores Cupcakes, so choco and moist.
The cookbook is available in bookstores and grocery stores.

For this post, I'm gonna share the cheesy ensaymada recipe. Warning: the recipe requires a lot of patience and muscle work from y'all. Mala panadero ang emote with all the pounding and kneading.

Here it is, enjoy baking!

Cheesy Ensaymada:
baking time: 30 minutes
prep time: 4 to 5 hours

Ingredients:
3/4 cup water
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp salt
41/2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/2 cup grated cheese
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp instant dry yeast
1 tbsp full cream milk powder
6 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted and cooled unsalted butter
1/2 cup softened butted

For the Topping:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
grated queso de bola (uhm, you can make this recipe after Christmas. Surely you have left over queso de bola by then or you can use boxed cheddar cheese instead)

1. combine water and honey
2. In a bowl, blend salt with flour and cheese. Add honey mixture, yeast. milk powder, egg yolks, sugar and melted butter. Mix at low speed for 5 minutes. Knead until smooth. - I've seen some bakers on TV who doesn't use mixers in baking, just manual mixing and it works as well with a little more patience.
3. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl, cover and let rise for 11/2 hours, or until dough has risen.

Before

After

 4. Roll out each dough into rectangle and brush with softened butter. Roll on the long side into a cylinder then twirl into a coil. Tuck the end at the bottom and place on a greased baking tray or ensaymada molder.
5. Cover and let rise until double the size. - this part is fun to watch especially for first time bread bakers
6. Preheat oven to 350degreesF and bake the ensaymada for 15 to 20 minutes.
7. For the topping: beat the butter with sugar until fluffy. Spread on top of baked ensaymada and sprinkle with cheese.

 

This recipe makes about 17 yummy and fluffy ensaymada :)

Christmas Celebration 2011

Last December 23, our family drove to the City of Pines to spend Christmas. This is a yearly thing for my in-laws and it always excites us especially the kids. They're just that lakwatsero much :)

This year also, I decided to find something new to share from my Baguio trip. Last year it was the trip to Tam-Awan Village and the Ukay-ukay experience. This time, food trip naman.

Jack's Restaurant
This restaurant is located inside the same building as the Empire Cinema in Session road. There are other branches of Jacks along Baguio City but this one was the nearest we found from Burnham Park. It's very *uhm* old (literally) and has the carinderia ambience to it. So was the food... and that's a compliment.
Sabi nga nila, kung gusto mo ng mura at masarap, ask the taxi drivers for the best turo-turo and carinderia and they'll point you to the right direction. Well, hindi kami nagtanong sa taxi driver but it's one of those well recommended for affordable yet yummy dish. A meal will only cost you P80, with rice and stir fried veggies na. There's something about the chicken that will make you think of home and Max's. The taste is very uncomplicated and deep fried. Best of all, there's just so much veggies in each plate.

Jack's Rice with Veggies, P80

Seafood Fried Noodles, P140

My cousin-in-law ordered Tenderloin tips and the verdict was that it looks dry but it's not. Everyone was happy with their orders.
If you're along Session and want to try this place, you have to find the Empire Cinema sign. The resto is located on the second floor. 

 The inside of the building reminded me of the old cinemas in Pasay when I was young, with giant wooden wall decors. 

Cafe By the Ruins

Now this was a totally different experience. After the affordable lunch at Jack's, we decided to treat ourselves with coffee and desert. We actually went here the previous day but since it was Christmas day, the place was closed. Boohoo for me because I coaxed them to walk from SM Baguio to Shuntug Street (near City Hall) just for coffee and it was closed :( Anyway, on the 26th we went back and it's open. Yay!

This place was the ruins of a garden theatre which later became the house of then Benguet Gov. Whitmarsh. The place  is very cozy, has a chillax ambience. 

We ordered the drinks first, the Ruins blend coffee (P80) with cinnamon and tira tira sweetener. If you're a child of the 80's, you know tira tira very well. This coffee is nothing I've tasted before, it's a fiesta of different flavors in one sip.

Chocolate de Agua (P80), made of cocoa tablet and water. 

Leche Flan (P60), everything a flan should be

The Chocolate Lava Cake (P180), you have to taste this to know why it's famous. 

the chocolate oozed out of the cake. Yum!

This is another must have, the pan de sal with herbed cheese spread (P80), the richness of the cheese and freshness of the herbs are in perfect harmony. The cayenne pepper gives it a kick. 

My cousin in law saw assumption tart on the menu and immediately ordered it saying this start is a special recipe only sold in Assumption College. 

Cafe by the Ruins is all worth the long walk after all. Although parking is a challenge especially on peak days, I will definitely go back here. I'll try the main dishes next time.

Food Share: Alba Restaurant Dinner Buffet

For our anniversary, hubby and I decided to pig out. Considering the horrendous traffic now, we thought it would be practical to find a place within QC area and Alba's T. Morato was top of mind. It's been a while since our last buffet pig out at Yaki Mix. 

Here's some photos of the feast that we enjoyed and made us full until the morning after :0

Sopa de Ajo (garlic soup)

It has a little spice to it that I love, unconsciously finished this off

Appetizers

 the sobrasada (spanish spreadable sausage,  orange) and salchichon (salami) are to die for! I'm ordering these for Christmas

tapas caleintes (hot appetizers) table

 The Paella

they served two types of paellas

Berenjenas al Horno (baked eggplant with three kinds of cheese)

this dish just melts in your mouth. Hubby can't get enough of them.

Lengua Estofado, cooked perfectly

 Lechon and Roast beef station

I skipped this part as I'm not a big fan of lechon bust hubby said it's really tasty 

After coffee I checked out their delicatessen station to check our their gift packs. The sobrasada would have to be ordered on day in advance but all the rest are readily available. 

photo for posterity of a bondat couple. Good thing I wore a pleated dress and jacket* or else, I looked like a pregnant woman. 

* brown pleated shirt dress - For Me
   jacket - thrifted (Baguio)
   wooden clogs - Parisian original
   bag - Franco Sarto
   watch - Cartier tank watch

Food Share: Saint Honorè Clubhouse

 Tucked in the quiet corner of Samar and Sct. Torillo streets is a charming cafe that serves heavenly breads and pastries. It's called Saint Honorè Clubhouse.

This is merely walking distance from my work so when I'm craving for an almond croissant, this is my place.

The al fresco area is so apt with the quiet community. You get to have a view of the Eiffel tower pa oh? hehe

I fell in love with this beauty at first meet, an almond croissant baked fresh (P75)

my Vittoria latte, an Australian blend (P60)

and some complimentary treats from the very hospitable and pretty owner, a napoleon and a sour bread with butter. Yum! 

I particularly love the napoleon, it's light yet very unforgettable. 

A service bell (er, buzzer) if you're dining al fresco

They also serve pastas and other dishes. I have yet to try their Carbonara and their dish selection with Truffle oil which are their best sellers. I've tried their Ziti for lunch and it's just total comfort food after jumping from one meeting to the other.