The Joy of Eating with Clara Ole

For the longest time, I've only had one consistent love –and that is my love for good food. Let me eat at a later time, or don’t let me eat at all, if what I’m going to eat is less than any food I would categorize as “good”. Maybe it has something to do with growing up to both of my grandmothers’ cooking, or my father’s love affair with sensational food items and dishes at home, but nevertheless I guess the madness is hereditary, if not learned through time.

That is why in the company of delicious food I am reminded of how blessed I am to enjoy such a simple luxury, and I send a silent prayer to the farmers, the market vendors, and the like, for their hard work. For as simple it is to enjoy a good meal, it is not that easy to gather all the perfect ingredients you need to create one.

But my world was turned upside-down when my family and I discovered the goodness of Clara Ole’s food products. Prior to attending their event at Mercato, I never really noticed that my family and I have been using Clara Ole products for quite some time now for our pastas, fried rice, and on our toasted bread.

In this ‘instant-everything’ age we live in today, at first it seemed like a tragic discovery to find out that the meals I’ve been having are all made in an instant, but then on second thought, I realized that it doesn’t really matter, because I’m still enjoying such good-quality dishes using good-quality products such as those by Clara Ole.

I love orange marmalade and blueberry jam on my toasted bread with butter, and you just really can’t go wrong with Clara Ole’s bottled jams and jellies for breakfast, or a late night snack.

Focus on having a good time with your friends and family rather than spending most of your time in your kitchen making the best dips and dressings for your appetizers and use Clara Ole’s. They’ve got so much variety, you wouldn’t have to worry about a thing other than enjoying the company of your loved ones, with all the good food you are able to serve.

Go crazy and jazz up your rice meals with flavored fried rice –Clara Ole’s got it all literally covered for you with their Ora Rice Mix variants. May it be for your Java rice, Japanese Fried rice, Paella rice, Bagoong rice, they’ve got more for you to enjoy. Add in your grilled beef, pork or poultry in all their marinated glory with Clara Ole’s marinades and you’ve got a heavenly meal prepared as easy as eating it.

Pastas are lonely without their sauces, so to create the perfect Italian dish for half the time and half your allotted budget for creating such, you have got to try your plate of pasta with a mix of Clara Ole’s Chunky Tomato with Three Cheese sauce and their Cheesy Pesto for just the right taste. Or try their simple spaghetti sauces with any of your favorite ingredients such as mushroom, onion and garlic, or bacon and cheese or for a more Asian menu, make your own Kung Pao pasta with Clara Ole’s Kung Pao sauce with grilled chicken.

I can attest to the wonders that Clara Ole’s pasta sauces are able to bring to our dining table, and I will not be surprised if you find more people in yours when you serve any of your Clara Ole’d dishes. Say delicious, say Clara Ole!  

Kobe Bryant: More than just a basketball player

Hardcore basketball fan or not, we all know that Kobe Bryant is one of the best players on the court. Even if you don’t really watch every game he plays, a simple rundown of his achievements as a basketball player proves this, without a doubt.

Obviously, that’s how great a basketball player Kobe is to the young and the old, for the girls and the boys, who have always looked up to him all throughout his basketball career.

But beyond his awards and achievements, Kobe still wants more.

Kobe continues his advocacy to help children achieve their dreams –one step at a time. Thanks to Nike, Kobe recently spent a day with kids as a part of his Take Every Advantage Asian Tour. As a part of his visit to the country, Kobe visited the kids that are part of Gawad Kalinga’s SIGA program (basketball program for kids). He taught the kids some of his moves, and gave them words of inspiration.

This is the second time that Kobe’s visited the country, and he really sees the potential that the Filipino youth has in terms of their skills and for their love for basketball.

Kobe recently established a foundation with his wife, Vanessa, to improve the lives of the youth and the homeless. The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation or KVBFF is a non-profit organization which aims to improve the lives and families of the homeless youth.

Together with other organizations and existing programs, the KVBFF’s goal is to create permanent housing, and provide resources for education and career development for their beneficiaries –starting with the kids and families living on the streets of Los Angeles.

When asked if he has plans of extending his advocacies to beyond Los Angeles alone, Kobe says, “Homelessness is not only a problem in Los Angeles alone…..”

It’s always a breath of fresh air to learn more about celebrities and people we look up to, doing unexpectedly good things for others. And for Kobe, he’s just teaching what he’s learned, and just giving back what he himself has gained, simply because he can.

Kobe takes every advantage that he has to inspire others and achieve more than he already has –now that’s a man who’s not only known for playing good basketball, but for playing the game of life pretty well, too.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideLifestyle.htm?f=2011/august/11/lifestyle1.isx&d=2011/august/11

Have breakfast all day at Café 1771

Breakfast is downright my most favorite meal of any day.

Manic Mondays become less of a frenzy and weekend mornings are something that I’d always look forward to no matter how late I get to go home from a night out with friends because there’s just something about breakfast that is plain comforting and which makes me just feel so blessed.

To have the chance to enjoy a meal after waking up from a long night is truly something to be thankful for –and I bet after you treat yourself to a hearty breakfast meal at Café 1771 on any given morning, you’d most definitely be adding one more thing to be thankful for.

From its cozy and homey feel, Café 1771 is really another good reason to wake up in the morning. The stylish café and the adjoining lounge with a quaint library ambience provide a relaxing environment for you to indulge in a leisurely breakfast.

Have a taste of Café 1771’s early morning pleasurable treats such as the café’s own invention, the Hole-In-One Corned Beef, corned beef hash and fried egg with a slice of wheat bread. They’ve got their own version of what a Crispy Bacon is as well –and I say it’s simply a sin to miss out on this one because this bunch of crispy strips are honest to goodness the crispiest and the least oily of all the bacons I have ever tasted. Definitely a treat for the bacon lover!

But these specialties are incomplete without your choice of eggs. Bring out the egg connoisseur in you and have a bite of Café 1771’s Egg Florentine in a Boat. This one is a delightful mix of flavors served to you in one piece –in a delicate puff pastry boat stuffed with spinach, and topped with ham or smoked salmon, poached egg and hollandaise sauce. There’s also the Bacalao and Scrambled Eggs which is an unlikely mixture but is a surprisingly excellent breakfast buddy to our usually meaty companions.

For those who enjoy something sweet in the mornings however, Café 1771 has got their own sweet and savory food offerings with their thick Sour Cream Pancakes smothered with irresistible Caramelized Banana and Candied Walnuts. One bite of all these inside your mouth and you’ve definitely got a saccharine party!

On the savory side the café has their Waffle with Herbed Ricotta Tomato, Sour Cream Pancakes with Bacon and Eggs, and Smoked Salmon Omelette –simple, sinful and definitely something flavorful to perk up your mornings.

Enjoy your breakfast with fresh fruit juice, freshly brewed coffee, or hot tea but what’s important is that know in your heart that you can have it all anytime of the day, every day with more style and always flavorful only at Café 1771.

Café 1771 is located in El Pueblo Real de Manila, ADB Avenue cor. Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. It’s open from 7am to 10pm (from Sunday to Thursday) and 7am to 12 mn (from Fruday to Saturday).

Champagne Room features the finest from the French

Inside Manila Hotel, there is a room filled with classy couches and table pieces, gold wrought-iron chandeliers and crystal trees. This room is made for those who want to enjoy a unique dining experience that even true blue French men and women would most definitely cherish.

A room which will delight you with its undeniable Old World elegance and charm, Manila Hotel’s Champagne Room is open for a wonderful meeting with French food and wine served to you in only the best of ways.

For someone who has a relentless goal of losing a few pounds, I still consider myself to have been quite lucky to be invited to a special dinner hosted by Manila Hotel at the Champagne Room to indulge in an eight-course menu of some of their finest French food and wine choices.

French cuisine is all about savoring good food and enjoying other people’s company in the process. There is no rush in dining because you’re in it to explore all the sensations that your taste buds could ever experience. There are a lot of good dishes to discover at the Champagne Room, but let me share with you those which delighted me the most.

Starting off my journey on that eight-course menu, it was such a pleasure to relish the first dish on the appetizers list: Poached Lobster Tail in Vanilla Custard with Oscietra Caviar, served with Vouvray, a sparkling white wine with hints of mango and pineapple flavors. It was smooth, clean, salty and refreshing, a meal reminiscent of a good morning by the beach.

We were also served with House-Smoked Duck with Salade Cesar served with Cotes de Castillion red wine with a dry but fruity flavor. I deeply enjoy salads, and this one was something familiar yet served to you in a unique way, which those who get easily bored with the look of salads would most likely delve into in an instant.

As per the main dish, I’d say I really fell in love with the Pan Roasted Giant Sea Perch with Tomato Confit and Brown Butter Hollandaise served with sparkling white wine with peach, pear and pineapple flavors all in one glorious glass. Again, this reminded me of a summer day out on the beach, simply enjoying a light yet tasty meal full of happiness.

Ending the 4-hour feat of finishing an 8-course meal, I favored the Chocolate Pots de Crème with Maple and Salted Foam as the best out of the three desserts served. This dish is basically good chocolate fudge served inside an egg shell with white salty foam on top to balance off the sweetness from the fudge. What a lovely sensation for the taste buds this meal was. I honestly could’ve had one or two more servings of it, if only I wasn’t too full to the brim!

Most definitely, I’ve come to realize the way the French appreciate the value of food as an art and as a part of their everyday life. Every meal is an exquisite artwork which is meticulously prepared and served with only the pleasure of eating it as a goal in mind. Champagne Room’s Executive Sous Chef Christine Zarandin is doing an excellent job, and she’s really an artist of food in her own right.  

With its timeless beauty and grace, The Manila Hotel’s Champagne Room remains to be one of the classic restaurants where old and new gourmands can indulge in their cravings for a truly French dining experience. For inquiries and reservations at the Champagne Room, please call (02) 527-9469. 


http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideLifestyle.htm?f=2011/june/29/lifestyle4.isx&d=2011/june/29

Eating your way to being Sexy

Sisters behind The Sexy Chef: Rachel and Barni Alejandro

It’s so difficult to go on a diet. It seems like no matter what I do it’s always going to be on my yearly resolution. I’ve tried going to the gym but I wasn’t able to lose as much weight as I would’ve wanted to and I really felt that it was mostly due to my poor diet. Even if I was working out, I didn’t really give much focus on eating less or eating better because I justified it as being alright, because I did work out after all.

However, now I know better. It’s not enough that you work out, but you must also know how to handle your food intake well enough to achieve maximum results if you’re really committed in losing a fair amount of weight on your body. And with The Sexy Chef, this can be possible.

With The Sexy Chef’s diet programs, not only are you going to lose weight on your body, you’re also going to lost all that weight on your conscience because you wouldn’t have to cheat your way into eating something good, because The Sexy Chef offers something good and healthy at the same time.

The Programs

The Sexy Chef’s got eight programs made available to help you achieve your goals. There’s the Sugar Buster Diet Program which is for those with a stubborn midsection who want to achieve a slimmer waist and help lower the chance of diabetes with the use of foods rich in Omega 3s, Fiber, Calcium and Vitamin D. For P1,100 a day you’ll be eating your way to lowering your blood sugar, and a sexier waistline.

SUGAR BUSTER: Chinese Chicken Salad

SUGAR BUSTER:  Shrimp Scampi

For P1,000 a day, the Pounds Away Diet Program is a nutrient dense, calorie-controlled diet program which includes all food groups –including rice –and works on the principle of eating the right weight-loss promoting functional foods in the right amount, and at the right time. This diet is more suitable for those who are very active or for those who simply cannot follow a low-carb diet like the South Beach Diet.

POUNDS AWAY: McSteamy Burger

POUNDS AWAY: Cookies & Cream cheese cake

The South Beach Diet is a two-week diet plan featuring high lean-protein recipes. In this diet, the clients eat small frequent meals throughout the day consisting lean proteins that help the body battle and regulate hunger. For P875 a day, this diet will be able to help you get the proper amounts of lean protein, good fats and fiber in every meal to help you lose weight without having to sacrifice your health. 

SOUTH BEACH DIET:  Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs)

SOUTH BEACH DIET: Spinach Frittata

There is also the Fight Fat 14-day diet specially designed for Sexy Solutions, a new service of non-invasive treatment by Belo Medical Group. This program provides 3 meals and 2 snacks every day, each containing a mix of complex carbohydrates, lean protein, beneficial fats and the 4-fat diet nutrients also in the Sugar Buster Diet Program.

The Sexy Chef also has two diet programs for those expecting babies and those who have just given birth to one. Their Health for Two Program is suited for pregnant mothers who wish to consume a nutritious and well-balanced diet during their pregnancy. They’ve also got the Body After Baby Diet specifically designed for new moms who want to lose weight while at the same time keep their energy up and get restful sleep. On this new program, new moms can shed 4-6 pounts and up to 5 inches on their waistline! All of this while still ensuring that the quality of their breast milk is not affected. Both these diet plans have been created for The Sexy Chef by U.S. Certified Nutritionist Nadine Tengco and supervised by Dr. Joey Shinshioco (OB-GYM-Perinatology).

BODY AFTER BABY DIET: Stir-fried Malunggay Noodles

BODY AFTER BABY DIET: Baby Vietnamese Shrimp Salad

Their Lose Big Diet Program is the diet program followed by the contestants of the just aired Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition, the famous weight-loss reality TV show that’s now in the Philippines. The diet features recipes that helped the contestants lose fat quickly and safely –and you can experience this too if you want big and healthy results, fast.

 Nutritionist Nadine Tengco w/ the Alejandro Sisters

Whether you’re doing it to be achieve a sexier figure, or mainly for health’s sake, going on a diet is a big step towards big lifestyle changes that you should face head on if you want to have long-term results.

So don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if you want to take this journey. Call the Sexy Chef at 72-8881 or (0917) SXYCHEF (799-2433) or visit their website at www.thesexychef.ph or www.facebook.com/thesexychef and get just the right answers to achieve the right kind of body.






http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideLifestyle.htm?f=2011/june/15/lifestyle3.isx&d=2011/june/15 

Taste The Real Thing

I’m not really a fan of soft drinks in general because I’ve always thought of it as unhealthy, and I always seem to feel like drinking in between bites would just ruin my meal because it usually overpowers the flavor of my food.

So I was never really prone to ordering soft drinks, unless I’m in a fast food restaurant because it’s always part of the meal. I only drink it when there’s no other beverage nearby, and this is just how my relationship with carbonated drinks is.

But as I have discovered with relationships in general, the only stable thing is change and we’ve got to accept that. And boy was I able to accept this recent change in my relationship with soft drinks with open arms!

Yes, I hugged and kissed this wonderful change right after browsing through The Real Thing Diner’s menu. I’ve heard many things about this place, but all I really had to know was that the whole place is Coke-inspired –from the interiors to the jolly background music to the very dishes they’ve got printed on their menu. Nevertheless, of course I had to come over there and try the dishes that caught my attention at first glance to really know if it is the real thing.

Together with my food criminal of a brother, we drove to Il Terrazo in Tomas Morato with curious minds and empty stomachs. Looking through the menu I instantly knew what I wanted to order as my main dish: The Coca-Cola Baby Back Ribs and Spinach Walnut Pasta to share. As for my brother, he ordered the Spicy Sarsi Wings and the Coca-Cola BBQ Burger. For dessert, we both agreed on sharing a bowl of some really good-looking apple pie they call “Happily Appley”.

When we got our orders, that’s when I began to rediscover the great possibilities of change in my relationship with soft drinks. The Coca-Cola Baby Back Ribs was tender, and the sauce it has been marinated in has just the right kind of smoky-sweet combo I always look for in my ribs. The mashed potato it was paired up with was a good addition to the meal too.

I had a bite out of my brother’s Coca-Cola BBQ Burger and I inevitably had to take a big mouthful because the beef patty was quite big. That burger was the kind of burger I like because it had some crunchy veggies in it, and some gooey cheese. However, I couldn’t really find the taste of Coca-cola in any part of the burger patty. But hey, I wouldn’t say I didn’t like it though. It is still a good burger and I’ve got no qualms about that.

For the Spicy Sarsi Wings –now there’s no doubt that that’s what its name is supposed to be. The wings taste like they’ve been swimming in Sarsi for so long, it just tastes so sweet and tangy and oh-so-good. I could’ve just ordered this with plain white rice and I’m good to go. I think I’ll try that next time.

To end, that bowl of Happily Appley was a good call. Even if it was very savory and filling after eating full meal of sorts, I’d still eat that pie and wouldn’t have it any other way. Great thing I had my brother to share it with though, of course.

The verdict? My visit to The Real Thing Diner has been a gastronomic experience I’d like to repeat (One order or Spicy Sarsi Wings with rice, please). I may not be a fan of soft drinks, but I am a fan of diners. And this Coke-inspired diner is true to what it claims to be and more. 

http://www2.manilastandardtoday.com/insideLifestyle.htm?f=2011/may/18/lifestyle1.isx&d=2011/may/18

Everyday solutions behind inspiring creations

In spite of the fact that I’ve always had this unique admiration and respect for them, I can’t deny the fact that I feel envious towards people who are gifted with cooking skills –enough to make them think up of entirely new dishes from scratch.

Because when it comes to cooking or running a business that requires you to indulge in a creative endeavor, it’s really tough to find the right tools to inspire you to create something new, innovative and downright tasteful.

According to Pinky Laurena, Unilever Food Solutions’ Managing Director, they found out in a two-year study conducted around the world that every chef and foodservice operator looks for a regular dose of inspiration to stay on top of their game.

“They need inspiration to develop new dishes and to continuously improve their business,” she adds. And with this, I just can’t help but wonder –where do these people get their inspiration from?

I had my share of feeling this way when Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) held a media cook-off event. The guests were divided into three groups, and we all had to come up with our own dishes, inspired by the cuisines we were assigned with. My group, the “Media Master Chefs”, ideally had to cook healthy dishes for young, Western kids which they can eat as an alternative dish in school.

With the help of UFS’ Senior Sous Chef Ryan Rey Lastra and all their various food products, my group was able to come up with a really healthy meal: Grilled Chicken marinated in Pesto served with Ribbon Pasta Carbonara with Mixed Vegetables and fresh side salad. What a treat it was!

Another treat too is the fact that Unilever Food Solutions is giving out more opportunities to help more people with their cooking and business dilemmas with all the variety of products and programs which they are now offering to chefs and foodservice business operators.

Other than providing professional packages of well-known food brands such as Knorr, Best Foods, Lady’s Choice and Carte D’Or that deliver kitchen efficiency for business operators, UFS also has The Culinary Academy which helps their various food business partners with inspiration and support when it comes to helping them with their menu planning and preparation –from the restaurant operations down to the marketing.

The Unilever Food Solutions also release The World Menu Report bi-annually, to serve as a credible source of information on global research findings that affect the foodservice industry, giving food business operators a snapshot of the fast-changing tastes and behavior of foodies worldwide.

“We are dedicated in helping their business (food business partners) thrive in meaningful ways so we could help them develop a menu that is relevant, exciting, healthy and profitable,” shares Laurena.

“We want to inspire food operators with commitment, excellence and passion. Our goal is to work together with our partners to achieve overall success and improvement for the local food industry.”

With Unilever’s Food Solution programs and products, no doubt they are.

 http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideLifestyle.htm?f=2011/may/11/lifestyle4.isx&d=2011/may/11