Quarantine Eats: Good Food Finds While Supporting Local Food Businesses In Our Community #SupportLocal

So, what have you been eating during this quarantine period? If you have been a longtime reader, you would know for a fact that aside from reviewing good food finds and restaurants in Manila, I also love to cook - I have a YouTube channel for my recipes, to support that claim. Given the quarantine set in the country, one would expect that food bloggers like myself would resort into showcasing our home cooking skills. That will happen, of course, in this blog. But then again, despite the lockdown, there are still good food finds you can have delivered in your home well worth sharing. 

This blog is about that, yes. Most importantly, this blog is about showing support to our local businesses who are fighting their way to thrive in this situation we are in. 

As you may have known, main focus of this blog for the longest time to feature restaurants and hotels in Manila. Since I am currently in my hometown during this lockdown, it is high time to take advantage of the situation and support our local food businesses that we have here by purchasing food from them when kitchen's a bit to hot to deal with. 

McCormick Flavor Nation Festival 2017 #McCormickFlavorNation

Last Sunday, before going on an out-of-town trip, I dropped by at BGC Ampitheater to check out McCormick Flavor Nation Festival. Summer is not yet over hence the food fair festival season is still very much alive which makes this event very timely. Since this festival highlights one of my favorite food brands which is McCormick, I figured despite being pressed for time, I must enjoy the festival.

And I am happy to report that I certainly did. 

McCormick Flavor Nation Festival aims to showcase variety of food made by respected chefs using McCormick spices and seasonings as part of the ingredients. This event was for free and early registrants were lucky enough as they got to taste sample food from the events featured chefs. 

Easy Bruschetta Recipe with Filippo Berio Olive Oil, Classic Pesto, and Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

This recipe for bruschetta using Filippo Berio Olive Oil, Classic Pesto, and Sun Dried Tomato Pesto is so easy you can whip it up in no time. This is my go to recipe when I need to instantly come up with delicious grub for spontaneous party, unexpected visitors, or if I am just simply craving for what I consider a taste of sunshine in my palate.

I have quite a number of recipes in my arsenal using Filippo Berio products. Yet for today, I am going for the easiest but downright delicious nonetheless.

There are several olive oils and ready-made pesto in the market today but Filippo Berio is one of those which I have come to trust. In terms of quality and value for money, I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t have it as staple in my pantry.

Boy Bawang New Products

Of the many popular local snacks in the Philippines, I am guilty of really liking Boy Bawang Cornick to the core. Truth be told, I haven’t met anyone yet who does not like Boy Bawang – everyone seems to love it! Aside from the fact that munching on it is very addictive, another thing that probably endears Boy Bawang to a lot of people is its very affordable price.

Kindly friends from KSK Food Products, makers of the famous and well-loved Boy Bawang recently shared to us the good news about newly launched products by Boy Bawang.

As a fan, it made me really excited that Boy Bawang has expanded its line of product. So, aside from the  Boy Bawang Cornick we have grown to love, there are several other Boy Bawang snacks we can enjoy these days.

Shakey's PH Corned Beef Crrrunch Pizza! @ShakeysPH #ChangeTheWay

This afternoon, I got myself Shakey's Corned Beef Crrrunch Pizza via the Shakey's delivery. This newest pizza variant is said to be the Shakey's move to change the way its Guests enjoy corned beef. I learned that it is available for limited time only, from June 3 to August 31, 2016 so I figured I should give it a shot.

I recently renewed my Shakey's Supercard and you know how amazing the perks this awesome card can give to its members so, it was really a perfect time to try the Corned Beef Pizza Crrrunch.

I wouldn't be in Manila for its media launch but since it is Shakey's we are talking about here (Yah know how much I love their thin crust pizza.) I am way too excited to take dibs and share my thoughts on it here on the blog. So here we are.

Delimondo Corned Beef #TheBestCornedBeefInTheWorld @Delimondo

I have been hearing and reading good reviews about Delimondo Corned Beef for a while now since it was introduced to the market and now that I finally got to try it, I could understand such raves. I could even understand the bold move to use the hashtag The Best Corned Beef in the World, because for firm believers, it really is.

Some of my food blogger friends have been recommending it while those who are not into blogging but still are serious food enthusiasts wonder why I have not given in yet. Little did I know, I have been missing a great deal all this time.

Truth is, I am not really very keen on eating canned goods. So if I found one that suits to my liking, I tend to stick to it when I need something fast and convenient. I have very few favorite corned beef brands, but upon trying Delimondo Corned Beef, it immediately went up on top of my favorite list. 

Manang's Crunchtastic Fried Chicken #ManangsChicken #Crunchtastic

Manang's Crunchtastic Fried Chicken is the new product of Manang's Chicken poised to further prove that Manang's is indeed "Ang Bagong Fried Chicken Ng Pinoy." While its trademark and well-loved chicken with soy garlic sauce is still here to stay, this new product gives a welcome option for those who wants some no non-sense crunch on their chicken.

I have been blogging about Manang's Chicken since its Mercato Central days. Truthfully, it is one of those local brands which has my admiration and respect. 

So it made me excited every time that they are coming up with new products. It goes to show that despite its years in the business, they are still competent and on top of its game. 

New and Improved Chicken McDo & McDo PH "Anong Chicken Ni Joy?" TVC

There are two things I am loving at McDonald's Philippines right now; first is the new and improved Chicken McDo, and second is McDo PH's "Anong Chicken Ni Joy?" TV Commercial. These two are currently making its presence known in different Social Media channels with the hashtag #chickenmcmcmcdo. 

Rightfully so, since we all know that McDonald's has always been considered as one of the popular food chains here in the country. And to up its game, McDonald's Philippines has once again creates something well worth to be the current talk of the town. 

Chelcie's Homemade Spreads: An All Natural, No Preservative Spreads

I was recently introduced to Chelcie's Homemade Spreads, an artisan all natural, no-preservative spreads perfect not just for breads bur for chips as well as for cooking. It also carries a line of tea infuse fruit jams that boasts of interesting flavors that set it apart from the usual.

While spreads in the market are already aplenty, entrepreneur and legit food enthusiast Eunice Uy believes that her recipes for her artisanal spread and fruit jams are something well worth to be put out there for people to enjoy.

I have met Eunice, which second name is Chelcie hence the name of her new business, during the time when I wrote about her restaurant Solace in Makati. I respect Eunice's take on food's flavor profile so I must say that I am confident with these products from the get-go.

Cupcake-Macaron Food Hybrid: Le Cupcaron by Cafe Macaron at Fairmont Hotel

Cafe Macaron at Fairmont Hotel Makati recently released their contribution to the ever growing number of food hybrids in the form of Le Cupcaron - a combination of cupcake and macaron. Two delightful desserts merged into one awesome recipe, Le Cupcaron is poised to provide an enchanting satisfaction from two great things in one fell swoop.

Cafe Macaron is known to specialize in macaron by dishing out imaginative flavors that make their perfectly executed pastry all the more indulging. So in this food hybrid, one can expect nothing but perfection because after all, they are Cafe Macaron's.

It is said that if a cupcake and a macaron had a baby, cupcaron would be it. Indeed that is true. But Le Cupcaron banks on the fact that it is not just any macaron, it is Cafe Macaron's macaron - the very thing they do best. 

Hershey's Kisses Deluxe Chocolate #SayItWithABigKiss

Christmas Season may be over but the thoughtful gesture of gift giving goes all year round. Hershey's Philippines is encouraging us to show our care by saying it with a big kiss through the new Hershey's Kisses Deluxe Chocolate. It is twice the size of the Original Hershey’s Kisses chocolates we all grew up with so it is twice the fun.

I am pretty sure that most of us love Kisses Chocolate, and I am pretty sure, especially for chocolate lovers like myself, bite size isn't enough. For something as delicious as Kisses, it should come in big size, right? So that is what Hershey's Kisses Deluxe Chocolate is all about, and then some.

It was only late last year when Hershey's Kisses Deluxe Chocolate arrived in the Philippine market. So this year, you will be seeing more of this big time babies in your grocery stores. I myself is excited since I am not really the one who can easily say no to big bite chocolates, especially when its from the brand I love.

Real California Cheese in The Philippines

I think one of the good news I have encountered this year is the fact that amazing people from The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has brought even more variety of Real California Cheeses in the Philippines market. If you have been a long time blog reader, you probably have an idea that I love cheese - all kinds of it. 

Thus, news like this makes me giddy to the core. Especially this season when I have all the reason to whip up a good cheese board paired with my favorite wines regardless if we have visitors at home or not. 

California cheese in particular is one of those which I am very fond of ever since a good friend from the US introduced it to me years ago. Now, kindly people from CMAB, USPB, and Virtusio recently shared some information about California Cheeses (Alongside a stash of Real California Cheeses! Talk about the perfect Holiday gift! Heartfelt gratitude to you guys!) 

Christmas Squares Cookies by Kumori Japanese Bakery Philippines

One of the many food that I associate with Christmas season is cookies. Is that weird? Not really, right? Come the first of Christmas month, piles of cookies would slowly gather in my pantry. None of which are baked by me because while I am confident that I can cook a feast that could feed a Village, baking is not really one of my strongest suits since I hate following instruction to a T. So really, I am not complaining.

Some of these are given by baker friends who banks on the idea that I could honestly give criticism without battling an eyelash which they appreciate, some are gifts, while some are lined up for a blog or magazine feature. This year, I got this Christmas Squares Cookies by Kumori Philippines.

It was actually a gift from the kindly people at Relish Group tucked in a cute Christmas-themed paper bag alongside an equally cute personalized key chain. Relish Group as you may have known is the people behind Osaka Osho, Wee Nam Kee, Kumori, and other food businesses in Manila. But this gift, I find good and fit for a blog feature, so here we are.

Holiday Ham Premium Boneless Hind Leg and Danes Cheese Ball

Christmas is just around the corner and you still have not decided on what ham and queso de bola you are going to serve to your loved ones this season, may I suggest Holiday Ham and Danes Cheese Ball? Ham and queso de bola during Noche Buena and even Media Noche are just some of the traditions most Filipino Families adhere to. 

Since these things are something that we will share to our loved ones good quality and reasonable pricing must be our top priority. In this regard, Holiday Ham and Danes Cheese Ball fit the bill.

Our family is one of those who religiously follows this delicious tradition. But remember how we also practice our family tradition of having not less than 12 dishes every Noche Buena and Media Noche to represent all 12 months of the previous and the incoming year? It can be pretty heavy on the pocket so yeah, we really appreciate those brands we trust which we can get at reasonable price. 

Snapshots and Good Eats at City Savor PH Food Fair

I feel like I have been spending way too much time working on some of my freelance projects that I am literally dreaming about my blog screaming at me out of neglect. I know it's weird, but you get the point. So last weekend I decided to get out and do something I could blog about just to kick start my drive to blog again and face my backlogs, hence the visit to City Savor Food Fair. 

City Savor is a Manila food fair happening in three consecutive weekends that features concessionaires that offer food perfect for the holidays. The guys behind City Savor is the same people behind Valero Eat St.

The first leg, which I was able to attend to happened at the Sapphire Bloc in Ortigas. The next will be held at The Signa Designer Residences, Makati and The Trion Tower BGC on December 12 and 19 respectively.

A Love Letter to Chocolate Chip Army Cookies

Oh Chocolate Chip Army Cookies, how can I even begin to tell you how much your impeccable awesomeness blew me away? Perhaps by a salute? How about declaring you as one of the best cookies I have ever eaten in my years of food blogging?  I couldn’t think of any other ways right now but I am well aware that you deserve more than that.

A bite into your handcrafted cookies made me feel like I can battle the craziness of this world. It made me feel like I can soldier things out because at the end of the day, I can count on your downright deliciousness which can calm my nerves. You made me a cookie soldier.

It is so mighty courageous of you to join the food delivery landscape in Manila with only your cookies as your weapon in the midst of food delivery infested battle field. What is more courageous is the fact that you have even built a camp of your own where cookie soldiers like us may visit you and dine in. 

Chowking Chunky Asado Siopao #BuksanParaMalaman

Have you tried Chowking's Chunky Asado Siopao yet? I have. It was very timely as I have been craving for really good siopao these past few weeks. I have my own recipe for Asado siopao but I am always pressed for time hence, a visit in my kitchen remains rarity these days. And I have not found any good place in our area that sells good siopao as of yet.

Little did I know, Chowking has this Chunky Asado Siopao which would somehow satisfy the mean cravings.

So how chunky is Chowking's Chunky Asado Siopao? Their official hashtag says it all, #BuksanParaMalaman. And that's what I did.

Salad in a Jar by Healthy Monsters PH

Healthy Monsters PH is a healthy meal delivery service in Manila that specializes in salad in a jar and cold-pressed healthy juices. I was thought this technique of putting your salad veggies in a jar if you want it to last longer than usual by some vegan friends way back and little did I know, there is already a business that offers it. 

Healthy Monsters PH uses locally sourced organic ingredients for their salads and the thing that I find most noteworthy is the fact that they made they own salad dressings.

Despite my undying love for meat, dealing with veggies has never been a problem for me. I grew up in the mountain, we plant our own veggies back home, I grew up loving salads. So this one, I am happy to share with you since it's right up my alley.

San Marino Tuna Laing: A New Healthy and Delicious Treat from San Marino

Tuna Laing is the new product of San Marino, a brand known for creating healthy and great tasting products. I have always loved San Marino products especially their Corned Tuna and the Blue Mackerel Steak in Tomato Sauce. These two are mainstays in my pantry. When I do not have time to cook and prepare viands, I could always count on San Marino.
 

Now that they have introduced San Marino Tuna Laing, I am super stoked to try it out.

Laing is one of my favorite viands.  It is healthy and delicious so, regardless if it is devoid of the usual meat which I love, I am still all for it. The thing is, Laing is not really easy to cook because of the preparation it entails. So when craving for Laing hit me, I still have to wait when I finally have time to cook or when I have time to visit a restaurant that serves the dish. 

Nutcracker Peanut Butter

A group of young entrepreneur sent bottles of Nutcracker Peanut Butter for me to try. I am all for supporting local entrepreneur especially those who have just started so I gladly accepted the proposal to try these homemade flavored peanut butters and give my opinion about it.

These young business owners behind Nutcracker Manila hails from University of Santo Tomas and I can feel their excitement in having people try their product. Their enthusiasm is contagious and I salute their brave move to go into business.

I may have mentioned before here on the blog that I am very picky when it comes to peanut butter. I am pretty loyal to my favorite brand if pressed to make a decision. But I am not closing my door to trying out new brands and sharing my thoughts on it here at YedyLicious.