Perk-up Your Holidays with Yummy Gardenia Treats!

This is the time of the year when the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the everyday gets transformed to something magical. You see it in homes already dressed up in glittering and bright lights, or in the warm feeling that wafts in the air during family reunions, or perhaps on how we uplift our character and mindset to become better persons. Indeed, the holiday season is a time to look with fresh eyes on all that surrounds us in our daily lives. Take the dinner table as an example. While we love to pile it up with all things special for this season like delectable hams or exquisite cheeses, it will not be complete without our bread to brighten up our dining experience and make it even more extraordinary and exciting. 

And if you’re one of the millions of households that chooses only the best in breads for your dining table on a day-to-day basis, then Gardenia will continue to remain part of your festive table. While Gardenia has already proven to be healthylicious with or without palaman, the season calls for turning the bread you love to eat every day into remarkable holiday treats. All you need are imagination, delight and bags of your favorite Gardenia bread to make the happy, festive change!  

Why not go delightfully retro with Gardenia Chocolate Fondue? Along with cubed apples, bananas and white marshmallows, pick up bags of Gardenia Double Delights Ube & Cheese Loaf and Choco & Mocha Loaf, along with Gardenia High Fiber Wheat Raisin Loaf. Cube the assorted breads and watch adults and kids have fun as they dunk them in a bowl of melted chocolate!

Ingredients:

2 slices                  Gardenia Double Delights Ube &Cheese Loaf, cubed

2 slices                  Gardenia Double Delights Choco & Mocha Loaf, cubed

2 slices                  Gardenia High Fiber Wheat Raisin Loaf, cubed

1 cup                     Melted chocolate

1 piece                  red apple, cubed

1 piece                  green apple, cubed

1 piece                  banana, cubed

1 30g pack           white marshmallows

How to do it? Simply serve all the ingredients using a fondue set.

Or you can get into the amazing festive indulgence mode using any of Gardenia’s amazing loaves like Gardenia Black Forest, that decadent, succulently soft and moist chocolate bread heaping with rich chocolate filling and luscious cherries, or Gardenia’s Amazing Dates and Walnuts, the soft, juicy and freshly baked bread layered with a delectable mix of fruit and nut. If not, indulge on Gardenia's Butterscotch Loaf with its smooth-tasting caramel goodness with rich and flavorful butterscotch chips found in each slice.

Speaking of butterscotch treats, try the special Gardenia Butterscotch Loaf and tweak it a bit to become a rich teatime snack or a true morning indulgence.  In a loaf pan, simply layer the trimmed bread slices with sliced kiwi, almond and nut chocolate, cream and honey and then chill to make the awesomely delicious Gardenia Butterscotch Kiwi Cake. 

The Gardenia Flavored Loaves are available nationwide at leading supermarkets and convenience stores.

TURKEY TO FLY TO MARIOTT HOTEL MANILA

For special occasions, there’s simply nothing like a perfectly roasted turkey for the family. So this Christmas, serve this classic centerpiece fuss-free by leaving the job to our chefs. And at Marriott Manila, we also bring the same commanding presence on your very own holiday table with our Turkey to Fly. There’s nothing petite about this hunk of meat, from the good bones that give it stature to the perfectly marbled flesh and skin in the steer laden with giblet gravy. For only P7, 500 net bring home this package that can satisfy a family of ten and includes classic accompaniments from the freshest lettuce salad with Italian dressing, potato salad, buttered mashed potato, sautéed green bean bacon, and baked pumpkin. While these fixins already provide the robust flavors, the two loaves of fresh-from-the-oven corn bread is an equally marvelous pair--no one at the table will miss it with the turkey for sure! Since its executive chef Meik Brammer’s great hope that this package leaves anyone happier, save room for some apple and pumpkin pies. Oven baked and stuffed nothing but the goodness of all-natural fillings, its gentle sweetness and homemade charm make them a perfect foil for the Christmas feast.

Please call to order and allow 48 hours before pick up at the Java+. To know more about Marriott Manila festive season offerings, call 988-9980.

ABOUT MARRIOTT HOTEL MANILA:

An inviting beacon set in the world-class casino entertainment complex of Resorts World Manila, Marriott Hotel Manila is the place to work and play. Ideally located in Newport City across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, it is a convenient 15 minute drive from Makati Business District and Bonifacio Global City. Affording a splendid view of the adjoining 18-hole Villamor Golf Course, it boasts 342 exquisite guest accommodations that offers luxurious bedding, in-room safe, mini-bar, high-speed Internet, air conditioning, 40" full high definition LCDs with IPTV, videos on demand and jack pack plug-and-play system. The hotel features excellent dining options such as Marriott Cafe, Cru Steakhouse, Java+ and Lobby Lounge. Leisure facilities include Quan Spa, Health Club, Salon and Newport Mall. With a Grand Ballroom and several meeting rooms, Marriott Hotel Manila is also the ultimate destination for meetings and events, from weddings to gala dinner celebrations.

THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON GIVE A BOX OF MOCHIYA FROM TOKYO CAFE

Delightful Mochi goes well with a cup of coffee.

It is traditional for the Japanese to give out during the New Year boxes of sweet rice cakes known as mochi. It is believed that if you give mochi to your family and friends, you are wishing them good health and fortune for the coming year.

But something as delicious as mochi is just too delectable to be eaten once a year. Eventually, the Japanese made mocha an everyday snack, something you could enjoy at anytime of the year. On ordinary days, it is served plain with just a variety of condiments to flavor the rice cake. Popular add-ons include roasted soybean flour, crushed dried seaweed (nori) and even soy sauce.

This Christmas holiday, why not spread good health and fortune with your family and friends by giving them boxes of Tokyo Café’s Mochiya?

Just like the traditional mochi, these little rice cakes are made using glutinous flour that has been prepared just the way the Japanese do. Each order of Tokyo Café’s Mochiya comes in a decorative box of either 6 or 12 pieces. What’s more, all orders of Mochiya come with a free cup of coffee.

Tokyo Café’s Mochiya come with a variety of sweet fillings that will surely please your taste buds.

Those who like chocolate can choose from the Shirayuki (white chocolate with pistachio bits) and Koakuma (dark chocolate with rum). Only the best chocolate fills your mouth with each bite of these Mochiya.

For those who want fruit-flavored Mochiya, go for the Tenshi (lemon custard) or Asahi (mango cream). Think of summer and warm nights by the beach when you sink your teeth into these little rice balls.

For something unconventional, why not try the Himawari (sweet cheese) Mochiya? If you’re crazy about things cheesy, this is the Mochiya for you.

Flavored Mochi in box of six.

However, if you want something plain and simple, then the Ninja (sweet red bean paste) Mochiya is just perfect with coffee.

Tokyo Café’s Mochiya is available in gift boxes of 6 and 12 pieces, while a sampler of three is also available. They make perfect presents for all your friends.

All orders of Tokyo Cafe's Mochiya, whether dine-in or takeout, come with a free cup of hot or iced specialty blend coffee of your choice.

Tokyo Café’s Mochiya will be available until January 13, 2013 only.

Tokyo Café’s Mochiya is available at branches in SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, Go Hotels at Robinsons Cybergate, SM Megamall, SM Southmall, and Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill.

Like Tokyo Café at www.facebook.com/tokyocafephilippines.

LADIES PREFER CARLO ROSSI'S SWEET RED WINE

Girls seemed to have endless chatting with friends while wine sipping.

 

Gathering together to talk and share stories has always been the ladies’ way to build and strengthen good relationships with friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Back in the day, women bonded over embroidery projects or while doing laundry in the river. Being generally sensitive and emotional, spending time chatting and sharing life stories is the predominant bonding activity for women.

Cheers for more years of friendship!

It is also a great way to cope with stress. This explains why today’s women – career-oriented professionals and modern homemakers alike – need time to go out with girl friends to talk about each other’s lives – dreams, happy experiences, frustrations. Of course, an integral part of these bonding sessions is enjoying the stories over food and drinks. 

 

These occasions aren’t confined to mere moments. Bonding time means really long hours spent together, which requires food and drinks that will last through the night and will make sure that you do, too.

While heavy and savory dishes would be satisfying, it might not be the best for a long, fun night spent talking. Try something light that can be munched slowly. Similarly, hard and heavy drinks are out of the question. One simply can’t appreciate chitchat and enjoy exciting stories when full or intoxicated. You need something that lets you savor every moment. 

 “In bonding moments with girl friends, you need to have a beverage companion that will allow you to spend the night with just the right buzz so you wouldn’t miss the juicy stories. This is why we’ve introduced Rossi Sweet Red – the perfect companion for female-bonding and ‘steady’ all-night conversations,” says Von De Torres, managing director of Emperador Distillers, Inc.

Crafted from grapes grown in California’s sun-drenched vineyards, Rossi Sweet Red is bursting with flavor and aroma. “It has soft sweet layers of vanilla, bright cherry and wild raspberry. These flavors come together in a deliciously sweet complement of fresh fruit and a velvety soft finish,” she describes.

“This is how real sweet red wine should taste,” De Torres adds.

What makes Rossi Sweet Red interesting is the serving suggestion: it is best served with ice. You can always have Rossi Sweet Red on the Rocks—make it less formal and make it more fun.

According to De Torres, this allows drinkers to discover a different kind of sweetness, where putting ice on Rossi Sweet Red won’t affect its quality but instead unleash its full potential as a sweet red wine.

Rossi Sweet Red is perfect whether going out or staying in. “Rossi Sweet Red is now available at leading supermarkets and convenience stores for all those gatherings,” De Torres says.

So whenever you’re planning a get-together with girl friends, always keep in mind that the best way to unfold the power of “we” is by making sure that you are in good company – real friends and real wine.

 Make every female bonding night a toast to friendship with Rossi Sweet Red.

Discover a different kind of sweetness from Rossi Sweet Red Wine, best enjoyed on the rocks.

SIP CARAMEL MILK TEA: DEFINITELY ADDICTING, YOU’LL KEEP COMING BACK FOR MORE!

Tea shops and stalls sprouted all over the metro and they have been prevalent additions to the wide array of food and beverage choices. I have come across different brands, which offer the same products, but it goes without saying that they have their winning beverage flavors and bestsellers. 

What I find nice about SIP’S milk tea is that it is more mellow and subdued than some iced coffee drinks. On a sunny day when I need something good to guzzle without giving me an unneeded caffeine kick, I’d choose tea drinks over coffee concoctions. I love mixing and matching drink components to create new possibilities every time.

  

 I ordered the Caramel Milk Tea with coffee jelly. This drink is fragrant and has a unique taste and texture. Well, I never imagined that caramel + milk + coffee jelly could turned into an exciting drink such as this. Well, you know what they say about happy accidents? It has happened with SIP’s owners, they mixed and matched green and black teas together and yet they were able to come up with a drink they now called as Mesteazos. All because they accidentally mixed two different drinks = One awesome drink! Who would’ve thought that would be possible?

 I loved SIP’s Caramel Milk Tea flavor—nice, balanced and lean flavor. Their tea selections are extensive, and aside from the fruity and milky beverages, they also offer a selection of Yakult-based drinks for the health conscious customers. One thing that creates an impression is the natural tea flavor in their drinks which are subtle and pleasant. Some drinks may be sweet but not enough to be considered a sugar coma inducer.

I’d like to think I did the same way with my caramel milk tea + coffee jelly drink. I grew up loving milk as a child, but I had never tried mixing it with any other flavor until this thing. Sipping Caramel Milk Tea is a wonderful way to unwind and relax any time of the day. It’s such a delightful drink that perks you up and it’s kind of addicting, so don’t be surprised to come back for more cups again and again. 

You’ll never understand how and why am I raving over this drink until you try the drink yourself. So visit the SIP branch nearest you and find out for yourselves what makes SIP Milk Teas a whole lot different from all the other tea drinks you’ve tried before. 

You can find SIP at Robinsons Galleria, Pearl Plaza, Malate, SM Manila, SM Sucat, E. Rodriguez Sr., Plazuela De Iloilo, Farmers Plaza. 

Disclaimer: I am not compensated for this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

Security Blanket would like to thank SIP, Ms. Ginny Guanco and Ms. Jo Bonsol.