Best-kept secrets in panic buying
SPEAKING of holiday rush, nothing beats a trip to bazaars to complete your Christmas food shopping. To make your life easier in the already stress-filled buying season, we are sharing with you our own last-minute food finds to add to your holiday gift-giving list. Check them out. CROQUEMBOUCHE Wicked cream puffs delicately arranged like a Christmas Tree for your holiday dining centerpiece. This confection, under a blanket of glossy caramel, is a traditional French wedding cake. (Pasteleria Mallorca, P1,050/small and P1,380/large. Order two days in advance. Call 3732789/90) SABLÉ Here are luxurious French goodies that will whisk you off to Paris. Fabulously soft, tender and crumbly like the famous French butter cookies that will simply melt delectably on your tongue. Make room for Chocolate Au Lait, Diamant Vanille, Lace Crisp, Matcha, Parmesan Sablé and Parmesan Sticks. (Kitchen’s Best Home Patisserie by Roselyn, Martina and Berna Tiangco. P200/tube for each variety. Call 3818518, 8433847 and 09178966248. Also available at Baker’s Dozen Bazaar, Rockwell, Makati City; Unit 5B, Bldg. B, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Pasong Tamo Ext., Magallanes, Makati.) HEAVENLY POLVORON For the first time, Pinoy’s favorite polvoron is brought to a new level of taste, shape and flavor with these gourmet polvorons. They combine the classic Filipino sweet polvoron with foreign fruit flavors. Each piece is made with only the most carefully chosen ingredients, from handpicked rose petals to imported fruits. Flavors CHINESE-STYLE LEG HAM In the tradition of fine Chinese hams, this leg ham is made only from the finest of meats and cured carefully with special herbs and spices. This ham with its golden brown glazing will surely be a feast for the senses. (Josefina’s Ham by Jolly Boy Best Foods. P550/kilo. Available in three kilos and up. Call Josie Sioson at 7402024, 4140109 and 7434238.) ENSAYMADA A 150-year-old recipe made from pure butter and queso de bola—perfect for holiday afternoon tea. P260/piece. (Pasteleria Mallorca was founded by the late Pilar Reyes-Gonzalez, mother of noted chef Gene Gonzalez. It is now being managed by the Gonzalez siblings: Augusto, Adolfo and Rosario. Call 3732789/90. Located at 18 Scout Fuentebella, Tomas Morato St., Quezon City.) TRUFFLES Every time you crave for chocolate, think truffles. Luscious and intensely rich, these special hand-rolled truffles truly melt in your mouth with decadent ease and luxurious sweetness. They’re made from Swiss, French and Belgian chocolates. Currently available in dark, white, white and dark, and macha milk variants. The goodies are specially packed in food-grade paper, placed in a chocolate-brown box, and sealed with the prettiest Risa sleeve. (Risa Chocolates by Pam Lim. P550 for a box of 12. It can also be made into 20 smaller bites. Call 0918-9424573 or e-mail risachocolates@yahoo.com.) EMPANADA The crisp and buttery texture of the empanada allows it to slide almost imperceptibly down your throat. Chunks of creamy chicken and ham make it more delectable and filling. Choices include Pastel de Pollo, Jamon y Queso, Callos a la Madrilena, Carne Norte and Tuna. (San Lo’s Famous Empanada and Tortas by Ana Anacta-Sun. P390 for a box of six for each flavor. Call 8442853 and 0915-9042631. Available at Baker’s Dozen Bazaar, Rockwell, Makati City; and Unit 5B, Bldg. B, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Pasong Tamo Ext., Magallanes, Makati; and Petron Station Dasmariñas Village, Makati City.) ALMOND BRITTLE Surprise your palate with these seriously addictive slivers of rich buttery almond toffee coated in a generous layer of rich chocolate and sprinkled with sliced almonds. Truly a gift everyone would love to receive, including you. (Kitchen’s Best Home Patisserie. P250 for 200-gram brittle packaged in a gold jar. Call 3818518, 8433847 and 0917-8966248. Also available at Baker’s Dozen Bazaar, Rockwell, Makati City; and Unit 5B, Bldg. B, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Pasong Tamo Ext., Magallanes, Makati.) BLISSFUL BROWNIES Cap off your holiday feast with these tempting brownies, starting off with Cream Cheese Brownies (P300/box of 20), moist brownie base with cheesecake topping; and Marshmallow Brownies (P230/box of 20), dark chocolate brownies bedecked with colorful and fluffy layer of marshmallows and drizzled with more chocolate. Homemade Treats by Ditas Dizon. Call 3622783 and 0917-8465399.) ROCKAFELLA Utterly rich, crispy, crunchy and yet creamy, these whimsical rochees are made with liqueur-tinged almond slivers coated in Swiss, French or Belgian chocolate. A sprinkling of sunny citrus bits will magically melt all resistance. (Risa Chocolate by Pam Lim. P550 for a box of 12. Call 0918-9424573. Check her out at Santa’s Christmas Bazaar at La Vista, La Vista Clubhouse, Quezon City, on Dec. 13-14, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; and at Rockwell Tent, Makati, on Dec. 22-23, 10 a.m.- TORTA Traditionally served only during fiestas and special occasions, torta is Samar’s native butter cake. It’s sweet, flavorful and very filling, ideal for holiday merienda. It comes with a queso de bola variant. (San Lo’s Famous Empanada and Tortas. P600 for a box of four, original flavor. P720 for a box of four, queso de bola. Call Analiza Anacta-Sun at 8442853 and 0915-9042631. Available at Baker’s Dozen Bazaar, Rockwell, Makati City; Unit 5B, Bldg. B, Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Pasong Tamo Ext., Magallanes, Makati; and Petron Station Dasmariñas Village, Makati City.) TARTA MADRID A frozen confection of flaky puff pastry and custard cream. A real showstopper! (Pasteleria Mallorca. P780/small and P995/big. Order two days in advance. Call 3732789/90.)
Who does not love these sweet glutinous rice balls stuffed with your favorite milk or dark Belgian chocolates, white chocolate with walnuts or chocolate peanut butter? These chocolate truffle-filled mochi balls come in elegant mahogany packaging with gold stamping. (Dezato Foods. P385 per box of 12. Also available bite-size mochi balls for P195/dozen. Call Maria and Ingrid Gorre at 7271229, 3879484 and 0920-9249155.) |
posted by Mailster at 2:20 AM
