Food Gifts I Love

I have always loved receiving food gifts during the Yuletide season. I call this the season of sampling - where endless food items new and old are at your mercy. While most food gifts I have received are on the sweet side, there are a few savories as well. Here's a sampling of what I have received (and thoroughly enjoyed) this year.

Kirkland Toasted Almonds

Nuts are a much better alternative than munching on fat-laden chips. I like mine salted and roasted and this delivers it all. One would always find this in S&R branches in GMA and key cities in the country.

Salted Caramel Torte

Identified as a flavor trend for 2012, salted caramel can be found in ice creams, dessert sauces, chocolate truffles and other baked items. This Salted Caramel torte from Dessert Du Jour (found in Makati) is a Godsend. I love all of its layers - from the smooth shiny salted caramel layer down to its mousse and cracker bottom.

Everyday Mom's Choco Banana Cupcake

A good friend gave this as a Christmas gift and I am amazed at how simple yet terribly good this cupcake is. Moist and fragrant is how a cupcake should be and this one's shiny bittersweet frosting made it even better. There is always room for a cupcake like this one.

Purefoods Smoked Fiesta Ham

Fully cooked and very meaty, this is my kind of ham - with just the right balance of sweet and salty and wonderfully fragrant. This one's perfect with garlic fried rice or egg pandesal. The Smoked Chicken variant is also delish!

Pinipig Polvoron

So classic yet so fine, I got mine from a relative and I believe it is home made. I love it's sweet, powdery and crunchy texture - a nice after dinner dessert alternative. Pinoys abroad adore this humble dessert.

Cookie Buttter from Trader Joe's

If you are like me and loved to eat Mom's cookie dough even before it gets baked, this one's for you. This creamy bread spread is a different take on your usual bread fill.

Have a wonderfull Christmas and an indulgent New Year everyone!

When in Tagbilaran, Have a Chicken Inato

If there is one thing I loved about Tagbilaran City, it was my discovery of Jo's Chicken Inato. The place was housed in this ancestral house which was made of Capiz-shelled windows, floors made with wooden planks, heavy antique-style chairs and beautiful intricately-carved furniture and walls.

Beautiful Ceiling

After a series of resort-prepared meals in the area of Alona beach at Panglao Island, I decided to end our Bohol family trip by having a delicious and hearty meal in this restaurant.

Their Collection of Chicken Souvenirs

We were happy that we came early for Sunday lunch because after just a few minutes, the place was packed. Meals were reasonable, an average of Php200 per head, complete with drinks should be budgeted. We tried just a few of their products - the Chicken Inato, the Pork Barbecue, the Bakhawan (or what we know as Kinilaw), Pinakbet, Fried Lumpia and their shakes.

Jo's Chicken Inato

I loved the way they cooked the Chicken Inato - it was grilled over coals and the flavors are subtle - just hints of garlic, tanglad, patis (fish sauce) and cracked pepper. The chicken comes in quarters and were done perfectly, crisp skin, meat tender and moist, plus, no visible blood which is common in the case of grilled chicken dishes. The chicken comes with a cup of rice and a tiny bowl of patis with half a calamansi (Philippine lemon).

Pork Barbecue

I also tried the pork barbecue - about 5-6 pieces of sliced pork to a skewer and each serving comes with 2 sticks, again coupled with plain rice and the usual dip. It was quite sweet and the kids loved it. Bakhawan or their version of the Kinilaw na tanigue was good for 1 person. What's interesting is that their version comes with coconut cream and crushed chicharon which complemented the clean flavor of the Tanigue.

Their version of Kinilaw na Tanigue

To complement the meats, we also ordered their fried lumpia and Pakbet. The lumpia was crisp and though not all ubod (coconut palm), its other vegetables such as green beans, carrots and bean sprouts blended well with the ubod.

Fried Lumpia as Side Dish

The Pakbet was good to share and had that bitter-salty flavor profile which fans of Ampalaya (bitter gourd) will enjoy.

Their version of Pinakbet

Should you still have room, order their fruit shakes - it is rich and perfect with their grilled specialties.

Why My Parents Click

My parents are clebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary this weekend. Yup, it's the big 4-0! While I know that it is pretty rare for couples these days to last that long, I am indeed grateful that our family is blessed to have both of them together, healthy and happy after all these years. I don't know about you but, have you ever thought about your parents and really, I mean, really assesed how in this world have they lasted together for so long? Someone once told me that when you choose your lifetime partner, you need to choose one that complements you, meaning, you need to choose a partner that would help you with your weaknesses, so that whatever one is lacking in, the other would be able to fill in the gap. So here's why I think my parents have lasted this long. I don't know if they will agree to this, but, here are Ten Reasons Why I think They Click: 1. She buys on impulse. He takes forever to decide. 2. She eats what is familiar and safe. He explores and wants something new. 3. She speaks her mind. He thinks before he speaks. 4. She keeps quiet when upset. He blurts out his opinion. 5. She brags. He shows off. 6. She is technically challenged. He knows gadgets. 7. She loves to dance. He loves to play music. 8. She declutters. He keeps everything. 9. She spoils. He would discipline. 10. She works on what's "urgent". He prioritizes what's "important". Don't you just find them hilarious? Despite their differences, one thing they have in common is that they are full of love - for God, for their family and their community. I love you Mom & Dad.