The Maya Kitchen’s Christmas Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies
WHEN you are in the publishing industry and food is your area of concentration, receiving food gifts to try is normal. One of the most recent that I received was a jar of The Maya Kitchen’s Christmas Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies to go with a basket of Maya All-Purpose Flour in different sizes and baking implements such as spatula, whisk, measuring cups and cookie dough scoop. It came with a recipe card to encourage you to bake your own batch of cookies when the jar becomes empty.
So I am sharing the recipe to encourage you all to try to bake your own batch, too.
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1-1/2 tsps. vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups dark brown sugar
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
2-1/2 cups Maya All-Purpose Flour
2-1/2 tsps. baking powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
100 grams broken salted pretzels
3/4 cup dark sweet chocolate pieces/candy-coated pieces
1/2 cup walnuts, roasted and chopped
more broken pretzels, chocolate and sea salt for topping
1. Preheat oven to 350˚F or 177˚C. Line a cookie sheet with nonstick baking paper or silicone baking mat. Set aside.
2. Using a stand or hand mixer, beat vanilla, dark brown sugar and white sugar into the butter until mixture is pale and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add a cup of flour, baking powder and sea salt.
4. Once combined, mix in the rest of the flour. Add chocolate pieces and broken pretzels. Stir just until there are no traces of flour.
5. Scoop cookie dough and place on prepared baking sheet. Top with more broken pretzel pieces and chocolate chips. Sprinkle with sea salt and add walnuts.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet.
LOOKING for decadent bites to give family and friends for Christmas? Or sweet treats that are out of the ordinary to share with the clan for Noche Buena on Christmas Eve?
A good option to try: Hong Kong MX Pastries from the No. 1 mooncake brand in Hong Kong. The iconic Hong Kong MX brand, whose mooncakes are known the world over, just recently introduced its famous mooncakes to the Philippine market via pop-up stores. It did so in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival, better known as the Mooncake Festival. Now, it is bringing Hong Kong MX Pastries to Manila in time for Christmas.
Hong Kong MX Pastries are a great gift idea for Christmas
The featured pastries are Hearty Butter Pastries, Mille Feuille, Butter Cookies, and Eggrolls. Made with the finest ingredients to ensure high quality products, each of these pastries takes on the essence of the classic baked creations, along with their familiar flavor profiles, before baking them to a perfectly golden crisp.
The Hearty Butter Pastries utilize a double-baking technique that results in caramel notes that make the pastries irresistible to the palate.
The Mille Feuille combines 192 layers of hand-crafted puff pastry on a bed of almonds in such awesome symmetry.
The Butter Cookies come in different forms and shapes.
Assorted Petite Eggrolls
Assorted Petite Eggrolls
The flagship product, the Original Eggrolls, uses only French butter, fresh eggs, fine flour and water. No preservatives, margarine, shortening, flavoring or coloring. It is such a good product that it once again won the gold medal in the Annual Monde Selection Quality Award this year.
Hong Kong MX Pastries’ Trio
Trio pastries
And, should the Original variants of these featured pastries not be enough to keep one happily satiated, Hong Kong MX has also created Hazelnut, Macadamia, Maple Syrup and Chocolate variants for them. And while these pastries are sleekly packaged in beautifully designed cans per product, there is a Trio offering that combines Hearty Butter Pastries, Mille Feuille, and Butter Cookies.
Boxes of these goodies, with prices ranging from Php800 to Php1,500 and the Snack Pack retailing at Php179.75, are available in Hong Kong MX pop-up stores located at SM Mall of Asia and Lucky Chinatown until January 25, 2020, only. They are also available on Lazada, Grab and GoEat.
Guevarra’s Mocha Cake by Chef Jac Laudico is perfect for gift-giving or personal enjoyment this Christmas. It is coffee and chocolate cakes frosted and filled with buttercream
HOSTING the Christmas family reunion and celebration this year and worrying about all the food that you have to prepare? Thinking about that potluck party you’re attending and what dish you’ll bring to impress your former classmates? Planning to give edible gifts to clients but not wanting to enslave yourself in the kitchen?
No need to do the cooking—or baking!—yourself. Chef Laudico Guevarra’s, that awesome buffet restaurant in San Juan City housed in a 1920s heritage house with a sprawling lawn, has just launched its Guevarra’s Handaan Kahit Saan. While the restaurant, with its impressive 80-item buffet of classic and modern Filipino dishes by the husband-and-wife team of Chefs Roland and Jac Laudico, has become a favorite venue for birthdays, weddings, baptisms and other celebrations, now everyone can enjoy Guevarra’s food in the comfort of his (or her) own homes or anywhere. Just order party trays of Guevarra’s favorites, and arrange pick-up or delivery.
Chef Roland Laudico, better known as Chef Lau, is responsible for the succulent savory dishes at Chef Laudico Guevarra’s buffet restaurant
Beef Kare-Kare in a to-go party tray
Roast Chicken Sinampalukan
Pansit Palabok
Guevarra’s Handaan Kahit Saan, which makes it possible for people to assemble their own mini Guevarra’s buffets, includes mainstays of the restaurant buffet. Top picks are Lechon that’s charcoal spit-roasted to perfection, Pugon-roasted Pork Bellychon, and Pugon-roasted U.S. Angus Beef Shortplate. Top beef favorites, all made with U.S. Angus Beef, are Kare-kare, Kaldereta and Grilled Beef Tapa. When it comes to chicken, the best options are Tamarind and Lemongrass-spiced Roast Chicken Sinampalukan (best served with Kamote Salad) and Fried Chicken Adobo. Among noodles and pasta, the best-sellers are Pansit Bihon Guisado, Pansit Canton Guisado, Palabok, and Party Spaghetti. Most of these come in two sizes, servings good for 12 to 15 and for 6 to 8 persons.
“These are the items that are most requested. We get complaints when they’re not available,” says Chef Jac who, as the pastry chef, takes care of all the desserts, while Chef Roland, better known as Chef Lau, handles the savory items.
At Guevarra’s, food is prepared from scratch, the way Chef Lau’s food was prepared while he was growing up. “I still remember our family Sunday brunches. We didn’t rely on convenience products or instant stuff and part of the enjoyment was in the preparation. It took a lot of time and effort but it was worth it since the food was absolutely delicious. That’s the same dedication that I instill in my kitchen staff, to do everything the long and traditional way, the way our lolas and lolos cooked, but with my own signature style,” says Chef Lau.
Dessert is pastry chef Jac Laudico’s turf at Guevarra’s
Brazo de Calamansi
Butterscotch
Crinkles
Kalabasa Pastillas Balls
Dessert, meanwhile, comes in the form of Strawberry Shortcake, Brazo de Calamansi, Mocha Cake, and Brigaderos, in which Chef Jac combines the old and the new. Other interesting sweet treats include Butterscotch, Crinkles, Brigaderos Balls (yema and dark chocolate truffles), Kalabasa Pastillas Balls (milk candies lightened with squash), Maja Blanca, and Cassava Cake Flan.
Beyond Christmas, Guevarra’s Handaan Kahit Saan party trays can also be relied upon for everyday meals or sudden get-togethers, as it will now become a part of Guevarra’s regular menu.
(Chef Laudico Guevarra’s is located at 387 P. Guevarra corner Argonne St., Addition Hills, San Juan; with telephone numbers (02) 8705-1811, (02) 87051874 and (0917) 3112222.)
SHINE brighter and savor more vibrant flavors this Christmas when you take advantage of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s array of dining promotions to celebrate this festive season. Everyone can look forward to a selection of flavorful feasts with Cucina, Lung Hin and the Continental Club Lounge,
while partyphiles can ring in 2020 at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge on Level 45.
A GRAND FEAST AT CUCINA
Festive dishes at Cucina
Time-treasured culinary delights from different parts of the world are the star of the show at Cucina’s holiday spread. Guests having dinner on Christmas Eve may enjoy a special per-guest rate of Php3,850, while those feasting on Noche Buena pay only Php1,850. On Christmas Day, Cucina offers Christmas classics at Php2,988 per guest for lunch or dinner. On New Year’s Eve, diners get to enjoy a special per-guest rate of Php3,850, while foodies can welcome the new year with a hearty lunch or dinner on New Year’s Day at Php2,988 per person.
TREASURED TASTES AT LUNG HIN
Treasured tastes at Lung Hin
The sparkle of the season combine with the distinctive flavors of authentic Cantonese cuisine at Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s award-winning restaurant, Lung Hin, located on Level 44. Led by Chinese Executive Chef Ken Leung, the restaurant’s team of Hong Kong experienced chefs present curated set menus for 10 for Christmas (available from December 24 to 26, 2019) and the New Year (available from December 30, 2019, to January 1, 2020).
For guests who wish to dine in any of Lung Hin’s private dining rooms, reservations have to be made in advance.
FOOD AND WINE AT CONTINENTAL CLUB LOUNGE
20|20: The New Year’s Eve Countdown Party
Revel in a splendid New Year’s Eve dinner at the Continental Club Lounge, where guests can enjoy the view of the mountains of Rizal while they dine in this exclusive location for Php3,000 per person. A special per-guest rate of Php4,500 is available for guests who wish to enjoy their meal with free-flowing house wine.
COUNTDOWN AT VU’S SKY BAR AND LOUNGE
Sapphire Road and Sinigang Sling, two holiday drinks available at Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge
There is no better way to welcome a new year than at the top of the metro. Located on Level 45, Vu’s Sky Bar and Lounge invites everyone to take part in 20|20: The New Year’s Eve Countdown Party on December 31, 2019, at Php1,850 per guest, inclusive of one Bottega Gold Prosecco (200 ml.) as a welcome drink. Doors open at 8:00 p.m., and crowd favorite Real Groove Band takes the Main Stage at 9:00 p.m., with DJ Jade on deck at the Rizal area. Table reservations can be made in advance via (02) 7720-7720.
(Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is located at Meralco Ave. corner Sapphire Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City; with telephone number +632 7720-7777.)
The Richmonde Hotels’ signature Chocolate Cake is available in all Richmonde properties this holiday season
YOU know it is Christmas when, everywhere you look, sweet indulgences abound and they take on the green and red colors of the season and the shapes of Santa Claus, Christmas trees and Frosty the Snowman. At the Richmonde Hotels, the treasure trove of mouth-watering baked goodies do, so they are perfect for family and friends this yuletide season.
Another gift suggestion is the Richmonde Hotels’ famous Ensaymada
Why not go for the tried and tested—Richmonde’s famous Ensaymada? Generously big in size and taste, this soft, buttery and cheesy treat also comes in ube flavor and is available in all Richmonde properties (Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, and Richmonde Hotel Iloilo. There are also limited-edition holiday variants of salted egg and quezo de bola.
Another signature pastry, the Richmonde Chocolate Cake, is also available in all Richmonde properties. It comes in 4-, 6- and 8-inch sizes, it gets a holiday makeover this season to bring some holiday cheer.
Apart from these signature Richmonde treats, each property has its own Christmas offerings.
Christmas delights at Richmonde Hotel Ortigas
Richmonde Hotel Ortigas presents classic baked goodies, such as Food for the Gods (Php380/10 pieces), Revel Bars (Php330/10 pieces), Rhum Cake (Php170), Lemon Cranberry Pound Cake (Php185) and assorted yummy cookies of white cranberry, rocky road and peanut butterscotch (Php225/15 pieces). Also great additions to the holiday table are freshly baked breads like Pistachio Double Cream Cheese, Banana Walnut, Cinnamon Cluster, Salted Swirl, and Panne Bianco, which are available until January 10, 2020.
Eastwood Richmonde Hotel’s Gingerbread Wagon
Holiday goodies galore at Eastwood Richmonde Hotel
A touch of whimsy shows in Eastwood Richmonde Hotel’s holiday wagon of goodies. These include Santa’s Little Helper (cranberry oat cookies, Php195/7 pieces), Christmas Sugar Cookies (Php265/4 pieces), Richmonde Sampler (set of dug-up brownies, chocolate caramel sable, and peanut butter tart, Php675), Avocado Sansrival Log Cake (Php695), and the colorful Gingerbread Wagon (Php495).
Other must-tries are the Hockey Pies, a set of puck-sized pies in assorted flavors—matcha terrine, pecan maple, apple cinnamon crumble, and chocolate duo—priced at Php185 for 4 pieces; the 8-inch Portuguese Pie (custard-filled croissant pie, Php545); and the Honeycomb Brickle (chocolate-covered honeycomb, Php365).
For savory selections, go for freshly baked Sourdough Bread (Php185) paired with Eastwood Richmonde’s homemade Liver Pâté, Tomato Jam, and Onion Marmalade (from Php165 for 130 grams), all available until January 5, 2020.
Richmonde Hotel Iloilo brings Ilonggos a delightful sugar rush with a variety of cakes, breads and pastries for the holidays. Choices include the smooth and moist Carrot Cake (Php325 for a 4-inch cake, Php850 for a 6-inch cake, and Php1,150 for an 8-inch cake) and Banana Walnut Loaf (Php345).
Fruit Tart Clafoutis is available at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo this festive season of Christmas
The season’s treats at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo
Must-try new creations include Fruit Tart Clafoutis (Php1,050 for an 8-inch cake), Vanilla Custaroons (Php350 for 6 pieces), Handmade Napoleones (Php495 for 6 pieces), Mini Cheesecake (Php500 for 6 pieces), Pineapple Turnover (Php350 for 6 pieces), and French Macarons (Php500 for 6 pieces). Another delicious original creation to try is the Iloilo Paris Bun (Php250 for 6 pieces), a sweet, crusty bun filled with custard, which is, like the other holiday goodies, available until January 5, 2020.
For a minimum charge, these delectable treats can be packaged in holiday boxes trimmed with festive yuletide ribbons if orders are placed in advance with a 50% deposit and a 48-hour lead time prior to pick-up.
(Richmonde Hotel Ortigas is located at 21 San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City; with telephone number (632) 8638-7777. Eastwood Richmonde Hotel can be found at 17 Orchard Road, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City; with telephone number (632) 8570-7777. Richmonde Hotel Iloilo is located at Megaworld Blvd. corner Enterprise Road, Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City; with telephone number (6333) 328-7888.)
