MANILA, Philippines — Looking for dishes and treats to become the next big stars of your Noche Buena?
Here's your cheat sheet to recipes and flavors that would liven up your holiday table!
Marian Rivera shares macaroni salad, trifle recipes
The actress looked comfortable in a kitchen set-up when she recently joined the Mega Prime Kitchen Masterclass Holiday Edition. Dressed in a festive red dress, the actress took command of the temporary kitchen set-up while talking with the host and sharing bits of information on her kitchen and cooking preferences as she prepared two of her recipes.
"Instead of sugar, condensed milk ang ilalagay mo. Sobrang simple lang niya pero masarap," she recommended, adding that she uses a less sweet version of mamon as the layer for her Fruit Trifle.
Likewise, she also shared her recipe of the favorite Filipino all-occasion dish, the Creamy Macaroni Salad.
"Ang maganda next time, mga soup ang gagawin natin. Kasi love ko rin 'yung mga soup kasi hindi ako nakakakain 'pag walang sabaw. Try natin 'yung mga peas, mushroom and corn," she ended, referring to the products by her endorsement.
Try these festive and sweet recipes by Marian:
Creamy Chicken Macaroni Salad
Ingredients:
- 250g cooked elbow macaroni
- 200g chicken breast, shredded
- 1 822g can Mega Prime Tropical Fruit Cocktail
- 1 cup raisins
- 2 boxes 240ml All Purpose Cream, chilled
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 150g cream cheese
- 3 tbsps. sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking instructions:
- In a large combine cream, mayonnaise and cream cheese. Whisk together until well blended.
- Add Mega Prime Tropical Fruit Cocktail, macaroni, chicken breast and raisins. Mix well until the dressing coats the ingredients.
- Season with sugar, salt and pepper.
- Serve chilled.
Easy Fruit Trifle
Ingredients:
- 1 block of cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1 box 240 ml All Purpose Cream, chilled
- 1 cup condensed milk
- 822g can Mega Prime Tropical Fruit Cocktail, drained
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- Prepared pound cake (or mamon)
Cooking instructions:
- In a large bowl, whip all-purpose cream until doubled in volume. Slowly add in cream cheese, vanilla and condensed milk. Blend until well incorporated and cream cheese chunks are no longer visible.
- To assemble, in a clear serving glass, layer a slice of pound cake or mamon, add dollops of the whipped dressing and top with Mega Prime Tropical Fruit Cocktail. Repeat for two or three more layers.
- Serve chilled.
Make Bizu your expression of love this Christmas
This year’s holiday season is more heartfelt than ever, with families and friends rediscovering the joy of coming together (finally, in person!) to celebrate love, share their blessings, and bond over their favorite food. It’s time to recreate beloved traditions and celebrate something new and exciting, starting with a delicious Christmas feast courtesy of Bizu.
Kick off the foodfest with Bizu’s signature Whole Roast Turkey, at 5.5 lbs., it will inarguably be the star of any Christmas dinner. Plump, moist, and delicately flavored with Bizu’s signature stuffing and enjoyed with complementary cranberry-pear chutney and a generous helping of peppercorn gravy.
For a more traditional feast by way of Segovia, Spain, Bizu’s Cochinillo will be a scene-stealer, slow roasted for 10 hours, this suckling pig has deliciously tender meat underneath perfectly crisp, golden-brown skin. Available in 5-kg with apple mango chutney and liver sauce, or 7.5-kg stuffed with truffle risotto with white wine au jus and truffle sauce.
Splurge on popular savory dishes such as the 10-hour Roast Beef, Chicken Ballotine, Beef Tenderloin Roulade and Pork Baby Back Ribs. Indulge in the rich, smoky, and salty layers of the Smoked Salmon and Black Caviar Pie and Baked Salmon Rockefeller.
Liven up your Christmas table with decorative desserts. These edible works of art include the festive Christmas Cake featuring layers of chocolate moist cake, praline ganache topped with a generous arrangement of assorted flavored macarons. Pair this gorgeous cake with the picture-perfect Holiday Wreath Cake, serving layers of fluffy genoise cake with mango gelée, topped with mousseline cream and a festive chocolate Christmas bow.
Bizu offers stunning, intricately assembled Towers of Joy made with Macaron de Paris (almond meringue shells filled with chocolate ganache) or "croquembouche"(chocolate-glazed cream puffs), which are perfect for sharing with or gifting to loved ones. You may also opt for individual Christmas Macarons from the Valrhona Chocolate Collection, each unique macaron flavor variant has a specific percentage of dark chocolate from Valrhona: Valrhona Manjari, 64%; Valrhona Caribe, 66%; and Valrhona Guanaja Dark, 70%.
The brand also features the Everything Chocolate Collection, boxes filled to the brim with perfectly crafted truffles, caramels, pralines, bonbons and a selection of best-selling holiday treats in the curated “Le Grande” Chocolate Box (set of 36) or the “Exquisite” Chocolate Box (set of 23). All items in the Joyeux Noël: Christmas Catalogue 2022 are available in-store or visit www.bizu.ph. For orders and inquiries, e-mail concierge@bizugroupe.com or call the following phone numbers: (+632) 8845-0590, (+632) 8845-0591, (+632) 8845-0592, (+632) 8845-0593, or 09176273970.
Introducing truffle in a bottle
A new twist on traditional chocolate truffles, Truffle in a Bottle is back and better than ever. A layer of crack chocolate is added so you can break it before you dig into the decadent dark chocolate truffle. Indulge in this smooth and decadently delicious dark chocolate ganache topped with a layer of crack chocolate and cocoa powder.
You can enjoy Truffle in a Bottle in four ways: (1) Eat with a spoon, (2) Melt a few tablespoons in warm milk or coffee to make a cup of hot chocolate or cafe mocha, (3) Spread generously on pancakes, crepes, cookies and pastries, (4) Place the bottle (without cap) in a bowl of hot water for five minutes, stir continuously until melted to create a quick & easy chocolate sauce or fondue. Keep refrigerated and consume within 15 days. Every 200ml bottle is priced at P550 and available via Instagram direct message to @truechocolateph.
"I have always been fond of chocolate, but it was in January 2017 when I decided to set a goal for myself – to learn more about the art and craft of chocolate making as well as bean to bar chocolate. I had just turned 40 then and I thought this would be the best time for me to pursue my passion for chocolate not yet knowing where it would lead me. It was also in June 2017 when I had the opportunity to visit cacao farming communities in my province (Negros Occidental) and this sparked a passion in me to learn more about cacao farming," Truffle in a Bottle creator Treena Tecson told Philstar.com in an e-mail interview.
"Chocolate making was my way of relaxing and recharging after a busy day. I get to focus on the craft and enjoy the process. I was motivated by my passion so I was determined to learn as much as I could. Like they say, you will always make time for the things that you value / the things that are important to you. I enrolled in basic and advance chocolate making classes at the Academy of Pastry and Bakery Arts under Chef Janelle Toh and Enderun Colleges under Executive Pastry Chef Laetitia Moreau."
According to Treena, she started posting photos of her chocolate creations on social media and she received so much encouragement from friends and family to pursue her passion project. "They were all excited and interested in my chocolate journey so I started accepting orders and selling online October 2017. In November 2019, I decided to get my certification as a Level 1 and 2 Certified Chocolate Taster from the International Chocolate and Cacao Tasting Institute (IICCT) based in London."
In February 2020, she decided to learn more about bean-to-bar chocolate by attending the annual Chocoa Chocolate Festival in Amsterdam where chocolate makers from all over the world converge to learn more and to feature their chocolate creations. "The event connects the entire cacao and chocolate industry from the farmer to consumer so I thought this would be an important event to attend and learn from," she said.
In June 2021, she was able to set-up her own organic cacao farm in Negros Occidental. "However, the pandemic hit and I could not visit my farm until August 2022. It was also during the pandemic when I literally woke up one day with an idea, it was for Truffle in a Bottle which I created, tested and started selling online July 2021. I was inspired by my trip to Europe and Truffle in a Bottle is my version of the traditional chocolate truffles that I tasted there."
In July 2022, Tecson was selected to be one of the National Philippine Cacao Quality Awards (October 2022) National Judge (Sensory Evaluation for Cacao of Excellence Awards 2023).
According to her, she named her brand True Chocolate PH because chocolate is "my true passion, my true joy and because I wanted to use real / true quality ingredients."
"For the tree to bar chocolates that I am developing, the cacao beans will be sourced from my organic cacao farm located in Negros Occidental. A multi-stage process is involved in making tree to bar chocolate and what distinguishes this from bean-to-bar chocolate is that tree to bar chocolate is made with beans from your own farm / estate while bean to bar chocolate is when cacao beans are sourced from cacao farmers / farming communities. I look forward to creating chocolate products from my province which has always been a dream of mine when I started my chocolate journey," she recalled.
For Truffle in a Bottle, Treena was inspired by the taste and texture of good quality truffles made with Belgian chocolate. It is a smooth and decadently delicious dark chocolate ganache topped with a layer of crack chocolate and cocoa powder.
"I started with an Instagram account to document my chocolate journey – taking classes, traveling and tasting chocolate. I enjoy sharing my travels, leanings and experiences to hopefully inspire others who are interested in cacao and chocolate. I am driven by my advocacy to promote Philippine cacao and chocolate."
Max’s Restaurant brings cheer with new Pinoy holiday favorites
Max’s Restaurant, the iconic restaurant chain famous for its Sarap-to-the-Bones Fried Chicken, is celebrating the Christmas season with its new Pinoy holiday offers. It’s that time of the year where parties and reunions are starting to line up, so this gives all the more reason to have festive feasts once again.
One of the highlights of the season is definitely food that brings enjoyment to everyone, therefore Max’s is bringing Pinoys holiday favorites that are a hit in any celebration:
- Lengua Blanca – Lengua Blanca is a premium dish made with moist and tender ox tongue and potato slices slathered in rich, creamy white mushroom sauce. It is topped with a mixture of shitake and button mushrooms and garnished with fried garlic chips and curled onion leeks. This is perfect to share with loved ones in time for yuletide gatherings.
- Red Velvet Panna Cotta – Panna Cotta is a sumptuous dessert made with layers of red gulaman, custard-like pudding with soft cream cheese filling, and sprinkled with toasted red velvet cake crumbs. This serves as a perfect ending to any meal.
These can be ordered either ala carte or as a set. Diners can get the Holiday Supreme Set complete with these two new offers plus a Whole Fried Chicken, Sizzling Tofu Con Pork Sisig, and Rice for only P2,099 (dine-in), good for a group of four. For delivery, Buko Pandan is included instead of Red Velvet Panna Cotta. This special holiday set is available until December 31 only.
The sight of Puto Bumbong and Bibingka is surely a sign that Christmas is in the air. Max’s Corner Bakery is bringing back the well-loved cheesecake version of these Filipino Christmas delicacies. The Puto Bumbong and Bibingka Cheesecake are great to give as gifts to family and friends or consumed as dessert after a joyful meal. These holiday exclusives start at P350 and are available until December 31 only.
Make your Christmas merry with McDonald’s app
Fastfood chain McDonald’s is keeping your Christmas countdown fun and exciting through the 12 Days of Christmas promo in the McDonald's App. Look forward to exciting deals and cash prizes that will make your Christmas celebration even more festive. With every purchase of an app Christmas deal, users can get a chance to win up to P500,000 for the grand prize and up to P50,000 in daily prizes.
Apart from big cash prizes, the app features all-time favorites.Enjoy the combination with Large Fries N’ Coke McFloat Combo at only P99. Save P27 on an extra-filling meal with the two-pc. Chicken McDo with Coke Zero deal for P150. Satisfy your burger cravings with Double Cheeseburger with Fries Medium Meal for P170. Enjoy an extra-saucy meal with two-piece McCrispy Chicken Fillet Ala King with Rice and Fries for P170.
The 12 Days of Christmas promo will run from December 14 up to December 25. Simply download the app. Step one: Download and register for an account on the McDonald’s app (Google Play Store – bit.ly/mcdoph-app-android, App Store – bit.ly/mcdoph-app-ios). Step two: Use the app to redeem any Christmas deal. Every purchase of a Christmas deal entitles you to one raffle ticket. Step three: Click on the 12 Days of Christmas banner on the app. Once you’re redirected to the e-raffle page, input your official receipt number, order number, and survey number. Be careful in supplying your details correctly and completely because this will be the basis of your raffle entry. Make sure to keep your receipt as proof of purchase and for validation purposes.
The brand will draw 11 winners of P50,000 and one grand winner of P500,000. The raffle winners will be announced on the brand's Facebook page in January 2023. Winners will also be contacted via email or call for claiming of prizes.
Tivoli Royale Country Club’s worry-free Christmas gift ideas
Two years of largely canceled events and gatherings with loved ones means more families are gearing up to host holiday guests for the first time in a while. Once again, the rush and busyness are back, but Tivoli Royale Country Club’s gift ideas will take out the hassle and worries of gift-giving.
Executive Chef Jonnel Roxas puts on the spotlight Holiday favorites with sweet treats as the beginning. The ideal gift for the little ones and sweet-toothed adults, order the six pieces of assorted gourmet cookies in green tea matcha, dark chocolate truffle, and cashew peanut butter for only P250. The homemade almond banana bread (P250) is also a great addition, especially for its perfect balance of sweetness, moisture, and density. Add as well a taste of Italy with Panettone Bread (Php300), notable for its dome shape, and buttery texture, soaked in brandy and then studded with candied citrus peels. For someone who loves to try a bit of everything and something for families, the Premium Hamper (Php2,000) is filled with bread and cookies, bottled gourmet treats from classic pesto, homemade bagoong, chili garlic sauce, herb garlic cream cheese, and anchovies in olive oil.
Share comfort and joy this Holiday Season with Chef Jonnel’s party-ready set meals and carefully selected home-cooked dishes. Good for five to six persons with four options for only P4,500, selections are nothing short of familiar, straightforward and even kids will love them. The must-try for the takeaway bundle is the Gourmet Feels, with pot roast beef with wild mushrooms as the star of this festive package. Inclusive as well are the zesty lemon chicken, classic carbonara, leek potato gratin, steamed rice, and the classic creme brulee. Hearty and filling, this is ideal for meat lovers with intimate get-togethers at home.
Homecooked goodness has always been Tivoli Royale’s best-sellers and a great option for parties and family gatherings, everyone guaranteed on your holiday table will love it. Make “Buchon” Pork belly (P1,400/kg) as your centerpiece with all the flavor and crunch that your guests crave. If something is slow-cooked and reminiscent of grandma’s cooking, Callos alla Madrileña (Php800) is a soul-warming dish with Spanish origins. Chicken lovers will surely rave about the highly-rated Chicken Inasal with Java Rice (Php600), which is a major upgrade from fast food versions in terms of taste, texture, and portion size. For pescetarians, the Blue Fin Tuna and Kani Baked Sushi (Php950) doesn’t scrimp on ingredients as it's generously spread with garlic cream cheese in between instead of the usual mayonnaise.
Tivoli Royale Country Club as a wellness, sports, and recreation hub boasts several activities to keep everyone healthy and fit this holiday season and beyond. This month, learn the art of fencing and be part of a community that shares a love for sports. For only Php9,000 inclusive of 10 sessions for club members and Php10,000 for non-members, the class is every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Another newly-launched activity is pickleball, the fastest-growing sport with clinically proven benefits for the brain. A happy medium between ping pong and badminton, the movement involves great hand-eye coordination and reflexes, is highly aerobic, and gets both the upper and lower body moving. Class is on offer both for members (Php10,000) and non-members (Php11,00) and open for beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels. But another option is a day pass for only P800, with access to the club’s swimming pool, gym, locker, sauna, and steam room. It also comes with P300 food and beverage credits to fuel up after the fun and active day.
For a full experience of the club’s amenities and facilities, consider a one-year membership inclusive of access for a family of four to its gym and fitness center, pool, and game center, the club also features four levels of sports and recreation with events facilities. The club’s refreshed facilities and food and beverage offerings are at par with a five-star hotel, which makes it a delightful gift in need of a recharge before the New Year begins. the club is at Yakal Street, Tivoli Royale Subdivision, Quezon City. For more information, visit www.tivoliroyalecountryclub.com, Tivoli Royale Country Club Facebook, and Tivoli Royale Country Club Instagram.
Go heart-healthy, budget-friendly together with Legaspi family
Heart diseases remain to be the leading cause of death in the Philippines. But the good news is it’s a preventable condition by making daily right choices — by getting regular exercise and eating a balanced diet. With unhealthy food as one of the main drivers of cardiovascular disease, our eating habits play an important role in this condition. In a generation where everything comes in an instant usually means compromising on the quality of food which includes ingredients being used in the preparation. Sadly, usually it also means food that is high in bad cholesterol, has less fiber and lacks essential vitamins that our bodies need.
While it’s always a challenge to think about what to prepare for your next meal due to the rising prices, using healthy ingredients in your dishes should be a top priority, especially the use of the right cooking oil. A Filipino family uses cooking oil almost every day, so it is important to make sure to use the best to ensure good health. Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil is the best cooking oil for everyday use, with its high amounts of Omega 3 and 6 that are good for the heart, and it has the lowest amount of saturated fats compared with other cooking oils.
Here are some tasty, easy-to-prepare, vitamin-rich dishes that would fit your budget - cooked with Jolly Heart Mate:
- Vegetable Okoy - a crisp-fried combination of squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, malunggay, and eggs, this is an all-time comfort dish, and chock full of Vitamins A, D and K.
- Crispy Kangkong- Forget about junk food and satisfy your cravings for light and guilt-free snacks like crispy kangkong, especially because it's an affordable source of fiber that’s also rich in antioxidants. With its crunchy exterior and bright flavor, this is a simple dish even kids will love!
- Sardine Misua Soup with Malunggay - Make it creamy or soupy, this is a dish that fills up and perfectly complements with rice. Add a healthy twist on the hearty misua soup with Vitamin D rich sardines and including malunggay, which is rich in Vitamins K, B, C, D, and E.
- Scrambled Egg with Tuna and Tomatoes- Both tuna and eggs are packed with omega 3, which is strongly linked to preventing heart diseases. Using pantry essentials, this savory dish is the answer if you're looking for other ways of utilizing the briny canned tuna and tomatoes.
- Ginataang Tilapia with Talong – This creamy and umami-rich comfort food is packed with protein from tilapia and the antioxidant properties from eggplants, on top of its Vitamins A and C contents. Tilapia also has Omega 3 fatty acids, is low in fat and has high levels of Vitamin B12. Ideal for lunch or dinner, this is a dish that can be enhanced with fresh herbs and natural spices.
This year, the Legaspi family - Zoren, Mavy, Cassy Legaspi and Carmina Villaroel - was launched as the first family ambassador of the brand. Their passion for tasty and nourishing meals inspires families to cook more heart-healthy food at home, together with Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil.
Get the full health benefits from every nutrient-packed meal by choosing Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil at all leading supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide and e-commerce sites Lazada, Shopee, and AceMarket.ph. Receive instant savings by buying the Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil 1L Big Peso Savings Duo Pack, available in select supermarkets nationwide. For more information, check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JollyHeartMateCanolaOil.
Fill it forward
Every holiday season, Starbucks effortlessly brings people together with their highly-anticipated and well-loved Traditions collection. But this year, there’s more than just the collections to celebrate, as the brand celebrates 25 years of filling our days with more than just coffee in the Philippines.
“For our 25th year celebrations, we pay homage to our partners (employees) and customers who have grown with us and have opened up opportunities to touch the lives of local communities," shared Jamie Silva, Senior Manager for Marketing, Digital Customer Experience & Loyalty at Starbucks Philippines.
This year’s collection showcases a sophisticated new look that gives homage to the brand's famous Siren, but with thoughtful details that celebrate the brand’s silver anniversary. Customers have their choice among two limited-edition planners with organizer designs, a classic cold cup, and a durable stainless-steel tumbler.
Ideal to jot down inspiring thoughts and plan your days, the two 2023 Traditions Planner with Organizer options come in a premium ring binder notebook format with a matching pen and cover. An ode to the Siren and a visible manifestation of the brand's 25th Philippine anniversary, this year’s edition features a sleek Siren tail design and is available in two elegant colors — Champagne and Black. The leather cover features both a pocket and pouch to store your files, and the plush material is accentuated with gold hardware. The ring bind style allows for the Planner with Organizer to be used well beyond 2023. Inside, the beautifully illustrated pages feature 12 monthly special artworks highlighting inspiring quotes to help you welcome each month on a great note.
Taking its cue from the success of last year’s sets, the brand wanted to bring back multiple options for its customers that love using reusable vessels. This year’s line-up includes a 15 oz. Steel Tumbler and 22 oz. Cold Cup featuring a similar Siren design as the Planners. Until January 2, customers will earn a sticker for every purchase of a Tall, Grande, or Venti handcrafted beverage. One Reward Voucher can automatically be redeemed every 18 stickers collected. For easy tracking of stickers, opt-in through the Starbucks App and join using an e-Promo Card.
Also available via GrabFood, foodpanda, and Pick.A.Roo (prices will vary), the brand's holiday beverages include Red Velvet Oatmilk Latte, Toffee Nut Crunch Latte, Toffee Nut Crunch Cold Brew, and the returning Peppermint Mocha. Also available via GrabFood and foodpanda (prices will vary) are food selections such as Chicken Fajita Roll; Holiday Ham, Egg White and Cheese Spread on Croissant Bun; Chocolate Chip Overload Cookie, Chocolate Peppermint Doughnut, Chocolate Crepe Cake, Purple Yummy Cake, Mango Berry Cheesecake, Double Chocolate Mousse Cake, and Red Velvet Whoopie Pie, among others.
Complex in taste and balanced, Starbucks Reserve Zambia Isanya Estate coffee is the brand's latest offering from Zambia. Driven by a belief that great coffee is a product of great concern for the planet and for the people who bring it to life, the Isanya Estate is known for its environmental initiatives and resolution to improve community livelihoods. On the estate, coffee trees and their cherries thrive alongside health care, reforestation and beekeeping programs. With every sip, notes of pink grapefruit and bittersweet chocolate showcase the unique flavors of the region.
Make every day rewarding with Cream-O Premium
When was the last time you gave yourself a treat? There are days when you’re busy and you forget to celebrate YOU. But you can always change that.
You deserve a reward to boost your mood and get more motivated as you accomplish your goals. One delightful and satisfying treat you can get for yourself is Cream-O Premium, vanilla cookie sandwich that is made premium and indulgent with a rich chocolate coating. It comes in a single pack that you can enjoy for yourself, or a box of 12 that’s perfect for sharing (and even for gifting this Christmas season). It’s a great everyday reward to munch on after every completed task.
Papa Diddi's celebrates the flavors of tradition
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Everywhere you go, each room is filled with bright Christmas lights and trees, the scent of cinnamon and peppermint engulf the air, and sweet and relaxing Christmas songs playing all-season long. Everything we see, smell and hear ring the bells that Christmas is truly here! But you know what’s missing? The taste of Christmas! Thus this season, Papa Diddi’s has three new flavors that will surely lift up your Christmas spirit.
To make Christmas even more meaningful to enjoy with our families and friends, the brand's new ice cream flavors are inspired by Filipino and Christmas tradition - Keso de bola, Festive Fruitcake, and White Choco Peppermint. At P350 per pint, you can enjoy delicious flavors you may well know and love but with a delightful twist.
- Keso de bola - Always been part of Filipino Christmas tradition for its good omens - roundness to symbolize wealth and its red rind for good luck. Now you can also have it as a scoop of happiness!
- Festive Fruitcake - A taste of home and Christmas. The Festive Fruitcake ice cream is made with dates, raisins, a dash of rum and of course, topped and mixed with glazed fruits! Try our delicious twist to a classic dessert for your celebrations.
- White Choco Peppermint - The fun and perfect combination of white chocolate and peppermint that can be enjoyed by ones with a sweet tooth and mint lovers alike.
As the Christmas rush is upon us, you can secure your ice cream pints by pre-ordering at https://bit.ly/PAPAmaskoFlavors. You can also try these flavors in scoops and pints via walk-in at these branches: Maginhawa st, SM North Edsa, Eastwood Mall, and SM Air Mall Makati. Papa Diddi's Handcrafted Ice Cream is a homegrown, handcrafted, heartfelt ice cream, proudly using fresh carabaos milk & select produce from farms, markets and gardens all over the Philippines.