Ryan the delusional chef – Page 7

La Paz Batchoy Style Noodles @ Jollibee

As Filipinos brace themselves for the cold and wet season, count on leading fast-food chain Jollibee to offer special treats that give customers that warm taste of home. New in its top-selling soup menu is one of the Pinoy’s all time favorite soups that is guaranteed to provide comfort during these rainy months.

The new Jollibee La Paz Batchoy Style Noodle Soup is offered in Jollibee stores located in Mega Manila, South Luzon, North Luzon and some VISMIN stores beginning July 2.

Jollibee’s version of the favorite La Paz Batchoy consists of firm noodles beefed up by a flavorful meat broth and topped with the freshest vegetables, sautéed pork, a slice of egg and crunchy bits of garlic and chicharon.

Whether stranded at work, looking for that perfect rainy-day pasalubong, or catching up with friends and officemates, the new Jollibee La Paz Batchoy Soup is a surefire way to pamper the taste buds and the tummy.
Jollibee’s La Paz Batchoy Soup offer hot, home-cooked goodness at the comforting price of only P28 as a light solo meal or as a snack. If what you crave for is a Filipino meal complete with a hot and hearty bowl of sabaw, just add to your favorite Jollibee value meal for only an additional P25.

What’s more, Jollibee La Paz Batchoy may also be enjoyed right at the comfort of your own homes or offices because it is available via delivery. Just call
8-7000 to get your own bowl of La Paz Batchoy and other Jollibee treats.

Jollibee will also offer another soup variety, the Pinoy Chicken Mami in a few selected stores in VISMIN.

Guinataan Bilo-Bilo

Another popular Pinoy merienda is the Guinataang Bilo-Bilo. It is also known as “Guinataang Halo-halo” and more commonly, the simple “Guinataan”. Guinataan is anything cooked in cocunut milk. It comes from the root word gata, which is Tagalog for coconut milk.

Guinataan Bilo-Bilo

A combination of bilo-bilo(which is made from glutinous rice flour mixed with a little water to make a dough, and shaped into marble-sized balls), saba, tapioca, gabi(taro), ube(purple yam), camote (sweet potato),a little langka(jackfruit), sugar and coconut milk make up this hearty dish. Very popular especially during the rainy months,it is best eaten warm to help our body warm up during those cold, rainy afternoon.

Although it is most popular during the rainy season, guinataan is available year-round in Filipino restaurants, canteens, food courts, carinderias(small eateries) and even from hawkers on the street. Depending on where you order, a bowl would cost between Php 10 pesos to Php 50 pesos.

Minatamis na Saba

Saba is a type of banana that is actually closer to a plantain. It is usually eaten cooked, whether it is ripe or unripe. It is widely used in Filipino cuisine, as an ingredient in savory viands like the pochero and humba, sidings to arroz ala cubana, and as snacks and desserts. One example of which is Minatamis na Saba.

Iced Minatamis na Saba with Sago (Tapioca) and Evaporated Milk

What it is basically is saba cooked in sugar syrup. It is best eaten cold on its own, or with shaved ice, tapioca and evaporated milk. It is also a major ingredient in another Pinoy summer treat–the halo-halo.

Minatamis na Saba

Minatamis na Saba is available in most Filipino restaurants, canteens and eateries. These also pop up along with halo-halo stalls in neighborhoods during summer. A serving of minatamis na saba ranges from Php 10 pesos upward depending on where you are buying. This particular one from Barrio Fiesta cost us Php 110 pesos. Ofcourse, you have to consider all the other things we ate along with it. But that’s for another blog post. 😉

Dinner @ The Aristocrat Restaurant

After spending all day doing chores, my Mom, sister and myself went to the mall. We took my sister’s dress to the altering shop and afterwards we went our separate ways. My Mom and sister both went to do their thing, and I went on to do mine. I paid the bills and bought some things at the hardware section.

After we have finished doing our thing, we met up and had dinner at the Aristocrat Restaurant on the 3rd Level of The Block, SM City North Edsa. We placed our orders after browsing through the menu, running our eyes through pages of delicious pictures of their house specialties. After getting our orders, the waiter informed us that our orders will be served in 15 minutes. And true enough, 15 minutes later, our food was served.

Chicken Barbecue 186.00 pesos

The Aristocrat has been around since 1936 and is best known for its barbecue, especially its Chicken Barbecue. So that’s what I ordered. Three pieces of chicken marinated in their signature barbecue marinade,skewered and grilled, then served with Java rice, a siding of atchara (pickled papaya), and Java dipping sauce. Sarap! (Yummy!)

I love barbecue and this one I really loved! The chicken was tender and very flavorful. Dipped in the Java Sauce, it was pure gastronomic delight. The Java rice gave the perfect complimentary flavor to this grilled dish. And the sweetness and mild tartness of the atchara truly balances everything.

Chicken Barbecue 186.00 pesos

My Mom had the Boneless Chicken Barbecue, which is basically the Chicken Barbecue but sans the skewer and the bones. My sister, on the other hand, had the Pork Barbecue. Both dishes were also served with Java rice, atchara and the Java dip. We also ordered some Fried Calamari, which I wasn’t able to take a photo of. While waiting for our food to arrive, I decided to check out the Toy Kingdom nearby. By the time I got back, there were only 3 pieces left on the platter.

Pork Barbecue 151.00 pesos

The restaurant also serves dishes like pancit (stir fried noodles), kare-kare, lechon kawali, lumpia, adobo and so much more.

I was truly satisfied with my dinner at the Aristocrat. The staff were very friendly and accommodating.The service was fast and the food was good. Everything about it was perfect. What more is there to say?

The Aristocrat Restaurant
3rd Level, The Block
SM City North Edsa
North Avenue cor. EDSA, Quezon City
http://www.aristocrat.com.ph/

Cocktails @ T House

Before heading down to our final destination, we made a stop at T house for some cocktails. It’s late afternoon, and by now, everyone was hot, sleepy and tired.

Upon entering the property, we were greeted by warm smiles from the staff who had some cool moist face towels for us to wipe our tired faces with. That really perked us up. And as if that was not enough to cool and jolt us awake, they served us with a very refreshing welcome cocktail. The drink is a sweet concoction made from kamias (bilimbi), ice, flavored with sugar syrup and a hint of mint. Fully refreshed and with drinks in hand, we wandered around for a bit and took in the sights.

Canapes

T house is a welcome retreat from the busy and bustling city life we are so used to. With an Asian-inspired modern architecture, the Zen-like atmosphere created by the streamlined interiors and lush green surroundings, paired with the gentle trickling sound of mini-water fountains, and delicious food,T house is definitely the place to go if you want to get away from it all.

After a while, our hosts ushered us into the dining hall. We were greeted by a cozy dining area, with a wet bar on one end, and a big buffet table laden with scrumptious canapes’ and one of the best-tasting puto (rice cake) – Mang Rudy’s – I’ve had on the other. The canapes’ they served were made with fresh pan de sal they baked, topped with toppings of grilled chicken, salmon, cheese, liver pate and fresh greens. We washed it all down with refreshing glasses of lemon grass iced tea.

Mang Rudy’s Puto

After filling ourselves with delicious food, we lounged about some more before heading out to our final stop.

Relaxation. Serenity. Tranquility. That is the T House experience.

Being gastronomically satisfied is just a bonus. 😉

T House
3195 Calamba Road, Tagaytay City
(046) 483.0011, (046) 483.0012
(mobile) 0922-8THouse
E-mail: stay@THouseTagaytay.com
Website: www.THouseTagaytay.com

Location map

Click on the map to see the larger version.

Thank you to T House for the warm reception; and also to Verdana Homes and Anton for inviting us to experience this awesome Tagaytay food tour. It truly was a wonderful experience.

Desserts at Chateau Hestia

After our delicious and hearty Vietnamese lunch, our troop headed down the road for dessert.

Just around the bend from Bawai’s is Chateau Hestia, a restaurant and B&B named after the Greek goddess of the hearth, which specializes in European cuisine. Johannes Zegethofer, one of the owners of Chateau Hestia, offers his favorite European dishes in a restaurant with an elegant country- style design that is surrounded by lush gardens filled with exotic tropicals.

A very interesting trivia I’ve learned about Chateau Hestia is that the frame of the structure is actually made from recycled cargo containers.

Johannes Zegethofer

I am a self-confessed dessert lover. To me, dessert is the best part of any meal!

So when they brought out and served the dessert platter I got so exited I didn’t even bother to take any photos. We were served a trio of equally sinful desserts: Panna Cotta, Mousse Au Chocolat and , Ferrero chocolate ice cream.

Dessert sampler, from left: Panna Cotta, Mousse Au Chocolat topped with Red Wine Poached Pear, and Ferrero Chocolate Ice Cream

The Mousse Au Chocolat is a chocolate ganache made from bittersweet Belgian chocolate, and topped with a slice of poached pear in red wine. It was so good! I love the taste of the bittersweet chocolate with just a hint of sweetness. I am a bit biased though because I love dark chocolate. =D

The 2nd dessert on the plate is the Ferrero Chocolate Ice Cream, a home-made treat made with Ferrero Rocher at Chateau Hestia.

Panna Cotta with Orange Jam

The third dessert, which I really loved is the Panna Cotta. The soft and silky texture of this Italian dessert just melts in your mouth! The subtle tartness and sweetness of the orange jam on top gives a nice contrast and finish to it.

Dalandancello and Vin de Orange

After having dessert, we were served a sampling of two of their signature house liqueurs : dalandancello- a limoncello made from dalandan; and the vin de orange- a wine wine made out of oranges.

For reservations or inquiries please call or text: +63 929 711-3289/ +63-918-930-5372 or visit their website: http://www.chateauhestia.com/.

Location map:

Click on the map to see the larger version.

Thank you to Johannes Zegethofer for being such a graceful host; and also to Verdana Homes and Anton for inviting us to experience this awesome Tagaytay food tour. It truly was a wonderful experience.

Discover Something Deliciously Different!

Just like I did!

At the start of summer, Greenwich launched the Greenwich Overloaded Pizzas, which boasts of having the most toppings on any local pizza available. This new product line also signaled Greenwich’s expansion into rolled edge thick-crust pizza, with the 2 new flavors serving as it’s maiden offerings. I got to sample these two new variants at the recent press launch held at the Greenwich Mall of Asia branch.

Greenwich Overloaded Pizzas

I sat down with Mr. Luis Velasco, Senior Marketing Manager for Media, PR & New Business, and Mr. Joseph Aruta, Project Manager, to discuss this latest pizza craze to hit the country. Mr. Velasco explains that this new line was the result of a study conducted last year which revealed 84 percent of Filipinos prefer plenty of toppings, and that a big percentage also preferred thick-crust pizzas. (I am one of them.=D) According to Mr. Aruta, nearly four million slices of the Greenwich Overloaded Pizzas have been sold since March.

Greenwich Special Overloaded Pizza

The new Greenwich Special Overload is basically the same as the regular Greenwich Special, but with three times more premium meats, fresh veggies, and 100 percent Mozzarella cheese toppings. The new Greenwich Meat and Cheese Overload on the other hand, has layer upon layer of Italian sausage, ground beef, pepperoni, salami, bacon, Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese. For thin crust lovers, rejoice! Both variants also come in thin-crust versions that are still guaranteed to fill even the biggest of appetites!

Meat and Cheese Overloaded Pizza

Available in double and family size; rolled thick-crust and thin crust, The new Greenwich Overloaded Pizzas are also available in a square thin crust, which can serve 6-8 people. Can’t decide on which variant to order? Why not have both?! With the Half & Half Overload, you get to sample both on one pizza crust.

My verdict? Overall, I liked how both of the flavors tasted. The rolled edge thick-crust is crusty on the outside yet very soft on the inside. And the top is just packed and overflowing with toppings, just the way i like it. It’s seasoned just right, and what I liked the most, which really surprised me, was that the crust wasn’t oily. At all. I am used to seeing a lot of oil under thick crust pizzas from other pizzerias, so it was a pleasant surprise.

The new Greenwich Overloaded Pizzas are available in all Greenwich branches nationwide. Head on over to the nearest Greenwich and sink your teeth into the new Overloaded Pizzas to discover something deliciously different!

For more information, visit their website at http://www.greenwich.com.ph .

Too lazy to go out? Then let your fingers do the walking! Greenwich delivers! Call 5-55-55 to have your Greenwich Overloaded Pizzas delivered to your doorstep.

Sea Kid Crispy Pusit and Crispy Dilis

It was one late afternoon a few months back when we discovered this snack. I was at the SM City North Edsa with my mom and Nina and we were passing through the Snack Exchange area when I noticed these on a display case in the center isle.

I was excited to learn that these are now available in foil packs, so I immediately picked up several packs. These are actually street foods, and are sold just about anywhere, along with fried peanuts, cornik, dried watermelon and squash seeds, and some local dried sweets like white beans and kundol.
There are four variants: Crispy Pusit (Squid); Mixed Crispy Pusit & Dilis; Crispy Dilis (Anchovies); and Spicy Crispy Dilis. All variants come in the same teriyaki flavor.

Php 29.50

We didn’t even wait to get home to have a taste. After paying at the cashier, I immediately opened one pack of the Mixed Crispy Pusit & Dilis, which the 3 of us shared, And boy it was delicious! It was sweet yet savory at the same time, and the pusit and dilis were very crispy.

Php 39.50

Php 19.50

If you want heat, then this one is the one for you. It still has that sweet teriyaki taste with the added kick of hot chili peppers. I like a little heat at times, but this is a bit beyond my tolerance level.

Php 19.50

SeaKid makes for a delicious snack, but also makes for a delicious meal. I enjoyed eating it with rice, dipped in vinegar.

SeaKid is available at the Snack Exchange of SM Malls and SM Hypermart.

Give it a try. I’m sure you’ll love it too.

Extra! Extra!

Eli’s Cheesecakes are now 50% off!!!

Eli’s Cheesecake Tira Mi Su Sampler

I went to the Robinson’s Supermarket on Congressional Avenue yesterday, and saw the sign at the entrance. So from almost Php 600.00, it’s now down to just Php 299.00!

Until supplies last, I think. So hurry!!! =D

Kamusta!

Hey everyone!

My name is Ryan and since I wasn’t able to before, I’d like to take this moment to say “Hello and Welcome to the site!” I hope you’ll enjoy our content as much as we enjoyed putting them together. We have a whole lot of posts waiting to be published, and a whole lot more waiting to be written. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the kainpinoy.com experience!