What's In My Cart? Chips Ahoy!

Because my kids took after their dad, the way through their hearts is really through their tummies. And one of their recent favorite things to munch on are Chips Ahoy cookies. They are not the Chips Ahoy cookies I grew up with ha, ang dami ng flavors ngayon!

I first saw them at S&R a year ago, and I thought at that time they were a one-time deal, meaning they won't replenish when stocks run out. But to my surprise, I've seen them in almost all the leading groceries I've visited. And each time, seems like more new flavors are coming out.

 This one I saw at DEC along Annapolis in Greenhills. 
I always have several packs in my pantry for emergency baon situations. 

{ What's In My Cart? } DEC

I haven't done a grocery post for quite some time now, but it doesn't mean to say I don't do the groceries anymore. :)  It's just that I haven't found interesting items to share with you lately.

A few weeks ago as I was coming from an event, I decided to drop by DEC in Greenhills to buy after-school merienda for the kids. I bought the puto and chicken pie becasue I know my kids love those. Since I haven't been to DEC in months, I decided to just make a quick run-around of the store. So many yummy treats in the store:

Here are photos of what I found interesting:

The puto of DEC has been the family's fave for almost a decade now

The same can be said of their chicken pie... fave!

Since Mooncake season will soon be upon us... I love lotus with egg yolk

I am happy that I finally found a store selling Old Town Milk Tea. This is the best instant milk tea I have ever tasted!!! I discovered this brand when I went to Singapore a few years ago.  We stocked up on it, and I am happy to discover that I can now buy this at DEC.

If you still haven't gotten over the green tea variant of KitKat...

Because my family has a sweet tooth:

OREOS in so many flavors! That Reese's Peanut Butter Cup is calling out to someone!

CHIPS AHOY lined up in such a sinister and tempting manner!

DEC ASIAN FOOD PLAZA
203 Wilson Street, San Juan, Metro Manila

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What's In My Cart: Hi-Top Supermart

I have already mentioned before that I rotate the grocery stores I frequent, with no recognized pattern.  It might seem complicated to some, but I love doing this because I discover new grocery items this way.  

One of the groceries I frequent is Hi-Top Supermarket.  What I like about Hi-Top is that it is just the right size for me to navigate easily.  It is not too big that grocery-shopping takes forever, but it is still big enough that everything I need is available.  The prices of most of the items here are low compared to others.  There is also a wide selection of imported items. 

There is also a small area for “specials;" items which are over-stocked or near expiry, and selling at a discounted price.  I always scour through this pile first before I start doing my grocery shopping.  I have managed to get good deals every now and then. 

It also has a good refund policy, which is so convenient on the rare occasions that I ask the husband to pass by to buy something, and he ends up buying the wrong brand or the wrong bottle size.  

Another factor that adds to the lure is also the presence of my favorite kakanin store tucked in a corner.  I love their suman sa latik and sapin-sapin.  One of the best in the metro!

Here are some of the grocery finds that that filled up my cart recently:

Purefoods Bacon Crumble.  (Please don't judge me!) Although we are not frequent consumers of bacon, there are dishes that just doesn't seem right without bacon in it.  Baked potato, minestrone, potato salad... it's a looong list, actually! heeheehee! It makes sense to buy them "crumbled" since I usually use the bacon as topping bits anyway.  I failed to get the price, but I think it sells for about less than P100.00, which is way cheaper than the smallest sized whole strips of bacons which sells for around P270.

 

What's In My Cart: My Own Meat Shop

For homemakers, grocery shopping is an inescapable routine that you either enjoy or treat as a burden. It is a mixture of both for me. I love it when I can do my grocery shopping in a relaxed pace, and I have time to look at the new products on the market. But most of the time, I am actually in a rush, just breezing through each aisle and grabbing the essentials.

But where I do my grocery-shopping is not usually the place where I buy my meat, not unless when I do the groceries at S&R.  One of the places I go to for my meat is My Own Meat Shop located along Panay Ave. I love this place because it does not look like a meat shop. Look!

What's In My Cart: My Favorite Pancake Mix

One of my family's favorite breakfast food is pancakes. They love it when it is piled this high and layered with maple syrup, whipped cream cheese, and bacon.  Scrumptious!

There is no shame in admitting that I use a pancake mix.  When I prepare breakfast, time is usually of the essence, especially if the family want to sit down and eat together on the table before C leaves for the office.  With a pancake mix, I just add egg, water and oil, and pancakes are served in no time. 

I have tried almost all the pancake mixes available in the market.  For a long time, I've been a loyal Pillsbury user, and then I shifted to Magnolia Pancake Mix.  I prefer to add my own eggs so I do not buy the one-step pancake mix, where all you have to add is water.  Between the two brands, my kids like Magnolia better, but I found it a bit too sweet for my taste.

We have tried the imported mixes like Betty Crocker and Krusteaz, but we did not find the flavor and texture outstanding; plus the gigantic boxes they came in made storing them in the pantry a hassle. 

After testing almost all the brands available, our family have found our favorite: MAYA Original Hotcake Mix.  As they claim in the package, it is really fluffy and tasty.  The 500-gram box comes with 2 plastic packets inside, but we are a family of big eaters so the entire box is just right for my family of five, with no leftovers.

 

And because the bacon bits really did make me happy today, here's a recipe I got from the web for Pancakes with Bacon, Whipped Cream Cheese, and Maple Syrup

• Pancake mix
• bacon, cut up to bits
• 4 ozs. cream cheese, cubed and at room temperature
• 2 tbsps all purpose cream
• maple syrup, or if not available from your grocery, any pancake syrup

{Pancakes:}

1.follow package directions

{Bacon Bits:}

1.Cook bacon bits in a non-stick pan without putting oil.  Cook until the bacon has rendered its own fat and the bacon bits are nicely brown.

2.Drain oil, and put on kitchen towels to take out excess oil 

3.Let cool.

{Whipped Cream Cheese}

1.Whisk together cream cheese and cream until light and airy.    

Assemble in layers and enjoy! 

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What's In My Cart

As much as I can, I try to rotate grocery shopping to at least three of my favorite groceries. Most often, this is when I get to discover items which become family favorites. I'd like to share with you what I put in my cart recently when I did my grocery-shopping at S & R.

Classico and Bertolli Brand of creamy alfredo sauce is always a must-buy. The kids love it when I toss in some mushrooms, freshly grated peppercorns, a generous sprinkle of grated pecorino-romano and parmesan cheeses, and finally a few drops of truffle oil. When I am out of time to prepare merienda for them, this is always a life-saver. My kids adore me because the sauce is so good that it gives the impression like I slaved in the kitchen.

The California Sunshine milk tastes just like the milk from the US... because as the label says: it is "REAL California Milk." :) It is creamier and less sweet than the Real Fresh or Cow Head brand, which I also buy.

Zanuy Soft Tacos is a perfect stand-by for the days when my kids crave for seven-layer dip.

And since I have a carniverous family, my grocery bill always racks up because of beef, beef, beef, and even more beef. Don't take me wrong, my kids love and eat generous servings of veggies; but because they are all involved in a sport that requires endurance, I need to make sure that they are eating enough protein to sufficiently aid their muscle development, most especially as they get into their adolescent years.

We regularly have steak nights, and usually, it is C who buys the steaks. But there are times when I feel like he goes crazy over the top when he is at Santi's on a steak shopping spree. Yes! Hard to believe, but it has happened so many times already! In an amount so crazy that it sometimes causes minor arguments between us.

I have been buying Meltique Beef during my last three visits to S & R. A box of five individually shrink-wrapped steaks only costs P1,599.95, so roughly about P320.00 for a slice. C is none the wiser because the marbling and the taste is consistent. Not bad at all. I have since resorted to making sure the freezer has a constant supply so whenever he asks if he needs to buy, my reply nowadays usually is, "there's still some." That will make sure his Santi's visit are far and few in between. :)

And because you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, here are some not-so healthy grocery choices that C made....

He just loves the choices of imported beers. He grabs a pack whenever we visit. It is not pictured here, but Stella Artois is also a fave, both his and mine; although I only can drink half a bottle of it. hehehe!:)

Microwavable chicharon! His food porn!

I know I have said countless of times that I limit canned goods, but I ease up sometimes and let them enjoy Delimondo's Corned Beef. My boys both love, love, love this. I limit serving this to about once every quarter. Yah, I know - Nazi!

I am not a coffee-drinker so I do not really go crazy for the frapuccinos of Starbucks, save for their Green Tea Frap. But my kids and husband love the Starbucks Vanilla and Coffee Frap that comes in a bottle. Ready to drink for whenever they feel like it!

How about you, what did you put in your grocery cart recently?
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Lock & Lock Introduces Glass Containers, Ceramic Coated Pans, Stainless Steel Cookware.

I was recently invited to the LOCK & LOCK Bloggers Kitchen-to-Table Presentation where we were introduced to the company's latest market innovations. Home-cooks will be happy to know that the options for our cookware continues to expand as Lock & Lock has just launched its premium line of food containers and cooking wares. 

Michelle of MrsMartinez's Raves & Rants, Jenny of Chronicles of a Nursing Mom, Eliza of The Painter's Wife, and ME

For most people, Lock & Lock is identified for its lock-tight plastic containers, but it is now also selling glass containers.  I know there are a lot of health-conscious women out there (me, included) who are trying to make the healthy switch from plastic containers to glass and stainless steel; from Teflon-coated pans to ceramic-coated pans ad stainless steel pots and pans.

The LOCK & LOCK Borosilicate Glass line are lidded glass containers are made with boroseal glass, a material that is heat-resistant and can withstand sudden changes in temperature.  These containers are microwaveable and oven-safe, very ideal for for busy home-cooks as it is a versatile cookware that easily transitions from kitchen-to-table.

LOCK & LOCK CookPlus Ceramic Coated Pans are made in such a way that heat is distributed properly and evenly.  Bulges on the inside surfaces are intended to distribute oil, and reduce the use of such.

LOCK & LOCK CookPlus Stainless Steel pots and pans are premium grade stainless steel pots and pans.  Although pricier, stainless steel is really the way to go if you value good health.  Since stainless steel is a natural alloy , there is no danger of chemical substances leaking into the food while cooking.  And since Lock & Lock’s CookPlus line has a 3-layer bottom structure made of high grade stainless steel, this only means that you are assured of a longer life span.

A presentation on how to use the LOCK & LOCK CookPlus Ceramic Coated Pan by Chef Cherry of Hwarang Restaurant.

Immediately after which, we got to enjoy the spread of Korean yumminess, starting with my fave, Samgyupsal.

Once the presentation was done, we were made to shop for our own choices of LOCK & LOCK items, and this is where we all went crazy over LOCK & LOCK!

As a generous way of showing their appreciation to all the loyal LOCK & LOCK customers, they will be having their first LOCK & LOCK WAREHOUSE SALE on August 18 to 21, 2012.  You can buy LOCK & LOCK items upto 80% off.  This offer is only available at their G. Araneta site located at G. Araneta Ave. corner Agno st., Megastate Bldg., QC (beside Sanctuarium)

LOCK & LOCK Boutique stores are located at: Shangri-la Mall, Eastwood City, Glorietta 4, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Alabang Town Center, Banilad Town Center - Cebu City.

all photos are my own; except those watermarked, which are from My-Mom Friday. :)

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