Addicted to Ensaymada

How do I start a great day? For me, I always make it a point to have a great breakfast, whether it’s rice, cereals, oatmeal or bread.  It’s amazing how you can eat breakfast alone & still enjoy what you are eating. It’s like your “me time” of the day. 

Let me share with you one of my favorite breakfast of all time.  With no exaggeration, I had these babies every morning for a year (2010.) Yes, this and only this for my weekday breakfast before I start my work.

 ******************************************************************************

The Filipino ensaymada a traditional yeast bun from Majorca, Spain, made with pork lard and sugar on top. It began to appear in local panaderias during the Spanish period when Filipino and Chinese bakers began to make bread through the government's Royal Bakeshop in Intramuros.

                                                       http://www.google.com.ph/imgres?

In San Pedro Laguna, There is Universal Bakery’s Ensaymada. It’s wrapped in clear plastic with Print of their Logo. I love the mixture of sugar and cheese on top + margarine/buttery taste. The sugar creates a crunchy sound then as you chew; the butter melts along with the dough and for the win, a surprise  bacon inside! yes, bacon! It’s perfect for breakfast or snack and would go well with a nice cup of good coffee. 

                                                            P20.00

They have three stores in san pedro laguna.One is located in Pacita Complex(Near Jolibee Pacita), the branch I always frequent to visit , the other is Near McDonalds Elvinda and the other one is in San Pedro town Proper (Bayan).

                                           Universal Bakery Pacita Complex Near Jollibee

                                        Universal Bakery near McDonald's Elvinda

Universal Bakery also has their variety of Mamons. The Mamon Special and Mocha Mamon that’s also very delish. They also have other kinds of bread like the Pinagong,Toasted Mamon,Tasty Bread and cupcakes. I always see these goodies delivered everyday so I am sure that what I am buying is always freshly baked

                                                                 Mamon Special P15

                                                                  Mocha Mamon P15

                                                                      Tasty Bread P35

                                                                   Toasted Mamon P25.00

   

                                                      Toasted Mamon P25.00

                                                                     Wheat Bread
                                                                

Universal bakery in San Pedro Laguna is a local pride. They have one of the best mamon and ensaymada I have ever tasted.Very affordable too. For P20 pesos, you can already try their yummy ensaymada. 

To make good bread and pastry, the baker must use good quality ingredients and I must say I love not only the ensaymada but the other goodies of this baker king of San Pedro!

Jobs at Landco Pacific Corporation

Jobs at Landco Pacific Corporation

http://siva-ph.jobstreet.com/_ja/jobstreetAssist.asp?companyid=3149

Rafa's Pork Chops: Not your typical Pork chop, Lechon Kawali to die for :D

Image Courtesy of Rafa's Pork chops https://www.facebook.com/RafasPorkchops

I went out for a dinner last Saturday and tried this newly opened place in San Pedro Laguna. It’s Rafa’s Pork chops.

Image Courtesy of Rafa's Pork chops https://www.facebook.com/RafasPorkchops

This maybe your typical pork chop fast food counter with other food choices, but the taste, their sauce and the freshness of the food will surely tickle your taste buds. They also have this fun menu that is very unique. Each dish has its own name or should I say Trademark. Not the Typical Menu in short.

 I love sinful foods but I am not a fan of fried foods or anything fried.Except for the smell of fried pork in all its forms…Pork Chop, Crispy Pata, Chicharon, and Of course for the win, Lechon Kawali which I go gaga.

I know that their specialty is pork chop but since they have Lechon Kawali on the menu, and I love lechon kawali, so I tried it first. My decision was right because their LK is to die for. I have tried others(Lechon Kawali)  but they all pale in comparison to this. I had no intention of blogging about it. However, the crunch and juiciness of their Lechon Kawali was just too good I had to make a blog post out of it. The taste is good and skin is crisp yet light. The meat is... What can I say, marbling. It simply melts in your mouth and not the hard to chew type of meat. The ratio of fat to meat is just right. This is one of the best Lechon Kawali I’ve ever tasted, even better than the ones in nice restaurants.  Besides that, the serving is not bad. The usual serving of LK is 2 pieces of fried pork, cut in to cubes (adobo cut) ,often over fried/over-cooked ( so they can make it crispy) but with rafa’s, they have a good serving portions and the LK is like a bagnet style. The meat is really like lechon. Soft and Juicy. Make sure to ask for their yummy homemade lechon kawali sauce to seal the deal for this meal. You may also try their Bagoong with Kalamansi dip for this.

With My next visit, I tried their famous pork chops. I kind of expected the typical pork chop that is a bit too oily for my taste and very thin like the usual. But to my surprise, it’s a half an inch thick breaded pork chop like how you will normally do it at home for lunch/dinner. The breading didn't taste like plain flour; they made sure that they spiced it a little bit to give the pork some good impression. To complete your experience, make sure you have some of their signature chili sauce ready for dipping.

I also tried their Tapa, which my sister ordered. It’s not the typical sweet style tapa. Their tag line for this is “just how mom use to cook it” and they are right. The meat of the tapa is so tasty . I don’t know how they do it but its sure one good tapa meal.

 Image Courtesey of Karyl Reyes https://www.facebook.com            /photo.php?fbid=10151091340694378&set=t.100000444427995&type=3

You must also try their Lechon Kawali Sisig. You may request to make it spicy if you want. Chili powder is for free and readily available so you can make it as spicy as you want.You might also want to try their molo soup. It’s very affordable for only 45 Pesos. Very Yummy.

Eversince I’ve been to Rafa’s Pork Chops, I've been frequenting this place for my fried pork  fix. Visit Rafa’s and I will guarantee you if you come by and taste what they have to offer, you will be back there with any chance you get.

Image Courtesy of Rafa's Pork chops https://www.facebook.com/RafasPorkchops

Rafa’s Pork Chops is located in Elvinda Village in San Pedro Laguna. It is near Universal Bakery and Ministop (stop light intersection)

 

Like them at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RafasPorkchops

https://www.facebook.com/RafasPorkchops

The Best Greek Dining Experience

                                                  Image courtesy of google images

They say that at CYMA, it's about bringing people together that starts with great food. Well it's so true.We’ve been going back and forth here and must admit that all of my friends who tried eating there never get tired of eating their delicious food! We always have that great dining experience.  Just give me a of solo Roka Salata, solo Roka Pasta and the yummy Hirine Brizola and I’m good! Let me tell you what to order there..

For Starters you must try the Roka Salata for Salad. I would describe Roka Salata as a salad of  fresh arugula and romaine lettuce, sun-dried tomatoes, and candied walnuts ( MY FAVORITE)  topped with shaved parmesan cheese in a special, original Greek vinaigrette. One of my friends likes feta cheese so they ask if they can have feta cheese instead of shaved parmesan and cyma did customized their salad.

                                                                   ROKA SALATA

                                                Solo  330        To Share   495      Family  690

You must also try the spinach and artichoke fondue as your appetizer. It is blend of melting cheese, sun dried tomatoes and feta, served with warm pita triangles and grilled garlic bread.  Super Delish!

                                           SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE FONDUE P350

For Cyma's Pasta, i would recommend that you try the Roka Pasta. Sautéed arugula (Roka) and spaghetti with EVOO (Extra-virgin olive oil) , pine nuts, grated parmigiano reggiano and fresh tomatoes. For me this is Cyma's version of the simple pasta - a real tummy-filler without much of the calorie guilt.

                                                                        ROKA PASTA

                                                Solo  320      To Share   450   Family  630

Must try also Baby Clams Angel Hair. It has Pacific baby clams, white wine, lemon, parsley, grated parmigiano reggiano and garlic EVOO (Extra-virgin olive oil). I soooo love this.

                                                        BABY CLAMS ANGEL HAIR

                                                Solo  300      To Share   450   Family  630

For vegetarians who wants to dine here, you must try Cyma's Meatless Moussaka.It looks like a baked lasagna.Meatless Moussaka is a Layered seasoned green lentils and tofu, potatoes, zucchini, eggplant and Greek béchamel sauce (MY FAVE sauce!) My Boss fell in love with this! :)

                                                            MEATLESS MOUSSAKA P250

I would also recommend  the Pasta Vassilikos. It's penne pasta with chicken loukanika (or chicken sausage which i loooooove. It tastes like schublig ) that has a very peppery flavor submerged in a mouth-watering pesto cream sauce topped with cubes of feta cheese. I love feta cheese to the hilt! The creamy pesto goodness of the Pasta Vassiliko made it a sure winner for me. 

                                                                PASTA VASSILIKOS

                                                   Solo  450      To Share  680   Family  900

For the Entree, You must try the Hirine Brizola-Grilled Pork Chops. A 3/4 inch thick, tender, bone-in, served with your choice of side marouli salata, spanakorizo, rice-stuffed peppers or Greek roasted potatoes (which i recommend). You can substitute starch with fennel mashed potatoes.Just add P60. This is so amazing that the meat is super thick but super tender.

                                                               HIRINE BRIZOLA P495

For Arni (Lamb) Lovers, don't fail to order Cyma's Most Popular Char-grilled lamb ribs, served with your choice of side marouli salata, spanakorizo, rice-stuffed peppers or Greek roasted potatoes.Lamb meat has this funky after taste which they call maango (ma-ang-goh) in tagalog but cyma's lamb does not have any. You can only taste the Soft,juicy and flavorful meat.I love how the oil oozes out at the bottom of the plate.The meat was so tender making it a breeze to take it out from the bone.   

                                                                  PAIDAKIA P690

Since i live in south, I frequent their branch at Alabang Town Center. The servers are all friendly and accommodating.You can also try their other outlets in Greenbelt 2, Trinoma, Shangri-La Mall, Eastwood, Boracay (D’Mall), and at the Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu. If you want to further check out their menu, visit Cyma’s website. 

Try Cyma and Trust me,you will enjoy the eating experience here that you will come back for more! OPA!!! :D

Best Liquid Foundation for Oily Skin:Mary Kay timewise matte-wear liquid foundation

                                                       Image courtesy of google images

I recently bought this liquid foundation by Mary Kay for Php750 and i fell in love with it  :) Not only that it controls the Oiliness but it also conceals the blemishes on my face. After days of using this, i noticed that i don't need to retouch my face with powder because my face is no longer oily in the afternoon unlike before.

                                                       Image Courtesy of Google image

Mary Kay Timewise matte-weat liquid foundation is best paired with maybelline clear smooth extra shine free powder foundation. For girls with morena skin like mine, i would suggest the HONEY shade. :) it's the best.



Image Courtesy of Google image http://www.google.com.ph/imgres1

I tried using cover girl liquid foundation before but it makes my skin very oily after a couple of hours so i have to do a touch up on my face. They say that by using their Clean Oil Control Makeup, you'll get all the shine control you want and claim to have shine-free face, hour after hour!So not true.