Tiger appetite: New recipes, food adventures to try for New Year 2022 

MANILA, Philippines — Year 2022, according to Chinese astrology, is the Year of the Water Tiger, which only happens every 60 years. 

Like the Water Tiger that has been known for its boldness, power and predisposition to do something big, ring in the new year by trying something new — such as the following recipes, dishes and food joints that could complement your new year:

Pasta dishes

Moms love to discover new recipes to make home-cooked meals exciting and nutritious for their families. Usually they would ask fellow moms for tips, but thanks to the Internet, they can quickly contact each other or simply search the web for more recipes.

If you’re on the hunt for some fresh recipes, Pinoy pasta brand El Real launched a website with various unique and delicious pasta possibilities, or simply, “Pastabilities.”

Through the “Real Pastabilities by El Real” website or www.realpastabilities.com, everyone can explore pasta possibilities and share their pasta abilities. Moms can discover several pasta recipes that they can cook for the family, including unique creations such as the following:

Stir Fry Veggie Spaghetti

Ingredients
400g El Real Flat Spaghetti
2 cups marinara sauce
1 can mushrooms
1 small squash, chopped
1 onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped into thin strips
1 green bell pepper, chopped into thin strips
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Step 1: Cook El Real Flat Spaghetti based on package instructions.
Step 2: Heat the pan and oil. Sautee the onion.
Step 3: Add red and green bell peppers and mushrooms. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
Step 4: Season with salt and pepper and add squash. Cook for 3 minutes.

Step 5: Add marinara sauce and stir well. Let it simmer.
Step 6: Add the spaghetti.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy!

Coconut Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients
400g El Real Flat Spaghetti
2 cans coconut milk
400g shrimp
½ cup chicken broth
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp garlic, finely chopped
2 tsp ginger, finely chopped
2 tsp chili sauce
2 tsp lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Step 1: Cook the flat spaghetti based on package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: While cooking the pasta, heat the olive oil in a separate pot. Sautee the garlic at ginger. Add the shrimps.
Step 3: Add coconut milk and chicken broth. Add the fish sauce, chili sauce at lemon juice. Set to boil.
Step 4: Add the cooked spaghetti. Mix the sauce well.
Step 5: You can top it with chopped cilantro.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy!

Tropical Party Pasta

Ingredients
400g El Real Party Pasta
3 pcs mango, diced
3 pcs papaya, diced
3 pcs banana, sliced
½ cup grapes, sliced
1 cup condensed milk
¾ cup all purpose cream

Directions
Step 1: Cook El Real Party Pasta based on the package instructions.
Step 2: In a big bowl, miss the cooked pasta with condensed milk and cream.
Step 3: Add mangoes, papayas, bananas and grapes. Mix well.
Step 4: Serve and enjoy!

Our Daily Ulam's Seafood Pasta

Why does ground pork get all the love when cooking pasta if there’s another protein-packed, omega 3-rich alternative you should try like Doña Elena Tuna? Additionally, this version will surely appease all the garlic-lovers at your dinner table. Doña Elena Al Dente and Pasta are available in all groceries and supermarkets nationwide. Buy online at Fly Ace Corporation Official Lazada Store, Fly Ace Corporation Official Shopee Store, or at Ace Market website.

Ingredients:
250g Doña Elena Al Dente Linguine
1 can Doña Elena Tuna Chunks
Doña Elena Pure olive oil
frozen shrimps & squid
minced garlic
salt & pepper
chili flakes
dried & fresh parsley
parmesan cheese

Procedure:

1. Cook Doña Elena Al Dente Linguine according to package instructions.
2. In a pan, sauté garlic in Doña Elena Pure Olive Oil.
3. Add the shrimps & squid followed by Doña Elena Tuna Chunks.
4. Season with salt & pepper, add chili flakes for that spicy kick (optional) and dried parsley.
5. Add the cooked pasta, combine well.
6. Serve hot, top with parsley & parmesan cheese.

Filipino dishes with twists

Whether you’re safely gathering at home or outdoors, nothing can be as comforting and enjoyable as the familiar flavors of Filipino dishes. That’s why The Maya Kitchen has put together a selection of easy-to-make yet celebration-worthy, and most importantly, Pinoy-approved recipes with Maya products that make your preparations easier and these dishes more delicious. 

Pinoy Style Spaghetti

Ingredients
1 kilo spaghetti noodles
¼ cup cooking oil
2 pieces medium-sized onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
500 grams ground lean beef or pork
6-8 pieces regular hotdogs, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
½ -3/4 cup sweet banana ketchup
1 cup beef stock (1 beef cube diluted in 1 cup water)
1 kilo Filipino sweet style tomato sauce
1/3 cup sugar        

Instructions
1.    Boil and cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Place in a serving bowl. Set aside.
2.    Heat oil in a pan then sauté the onions and garlic until translucent and aromatic.
3.    Add into the pan the ground beef and keep sautéing and cooking until the beef slightly cooked and browned then toss in the hotdog slices.  Cook for another 3-5 minutes
4.    Season with salt and pepper. 
5.    Mix in the tomato paste and ketchup and keep stirring the beef mixture until the mixture turns red.  Add in the beef stock and bring mixture to a boil then boil for 2-3 minutes then turn the heat low into a simmering stage and continue cooking for 15 to 20 minutes. 
6.    Season again with salt and pepper, if needed.
7.    To serve, place or arranged cooked noodles on a serving plate or dish then pour the sauce over then top with grated cheese.

Recipe Notes
Yield:  12-15 servings
Prep Time:  10-15 minutes
Cooking Time: 35-45 minutes

Oatmeal Bibingka Waffle
Ingredients
4 pieces eggs
1 pack Maya Think Heart Oatmeal Pancake Mix 200 grams
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon rice flour
¼ cup fresh milk
¼ cup coconut cream store bought
¼ cup coconut milk store bought
1/4 cup butter melted
salted egg sliced
cheddar cheese, grated
sliced ham
banana leaves (for plating)
grated coconut (optional)

Instructions
1.    Preheat the waffle maker and grease with oil.
2.    In a bowl, beat eggs then add pancake mix, rice flour, sugar, milk, coconut milk, coconut cream, and melted butter. Mix well.
3.    Scoop ¾ cup of bibingka mixture and pour onto the preheated waffle maker, topped with salted egg and ham.
4.    Close waffle maker and wait for 1 to 2 minutes or until the Bibingka is cooked.
5.    Serve with grated cheese and coconut.

Recipe Notes
Yield: 8-10 pieces
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 3-5 minutes

Butterscotch Walnut Praline

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 pieces whole eggs
2 tablespoons fresh milk
1 pack Maya Butterscotch Brownie Mix 500g

Walnut Praline Topping:
1/3 cup brown sugar
½ cup  evaporated milk
1/3 cup butter
1 cup roasted walnuts, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
1.    Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Grease and line one 8-inch round pan. Set aside.
2.    In a bowl, beat butter until smooth and creamy then add in the eggs, milk and butterscotch brownie mix and keep mixing until the mixture is well blended and smooth.
3.    Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and spread mixture evenly then bake for 35 minutes. Do not over bake.
4.    To prepare walnut praline, heat the pan over medium-heat and bring the brown sugar to melt. Add in the milk as soon as the brown sugar caramelizes. Keep stirring the mixture until it boils then add the butter and nuts. Continue cooking until mixture becomes creamy but not too thick then remove from heat. Set aside.
5.    Once baked, remove the butterscotch from the oven then set aside for 10 minutes without removing it from the pan.
6.    Pour walnut praline over the baked butterscotch, make sure to cover the top well with mixture then baked again inside the oven for another 5-10 minutes until mixture on top becomes lightly dry. Remove butterscotch from the oven and let it cool. Cut into as desired.

Banana & Red Velvet Walnut And Cream Cheese Loaf

Ingredients:
Banana Cake Mixture:
1 piece whole egg
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
¼ cup fresh milk
2 pieces fresh banana lacatan, mashed (150grams)
2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped

Red Velvet Cake Mixture:
1/3 cup butter, softened
3 pieces whole eggs, beaten
½ cup fresh milk
1 package        Maya Decadence Red Velvet Cake Mix 500g
1 package        cream cheese 225g, chopped or cut into cubes

Toppings:
50 grams cream cheese, chopped
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped

Instructions:
1.    Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C.  Grease and line a 9 x 5x 3-inches loaf pan.  Make sure to line all sides of the pan with grease proof paper higher of 2 inches from the rim of the pan.  Set aside.
2.    In a bowl, prepare banana cake mixture by simply combining all ingredients together until well blended.  Set aside.
3.    Prepare red velvet mixture by creaming the butter in a bowl until becomes fluffy.  Add in the beaten eggs, milk and cake mix and give a good mix until mixture is well blended. Add in the chopped cream cheese into the cake mixture and give a nice mix until all cream cheese is well covered with red velvet cake mixture. Set aside.
4.    Prepare topping simply by lightly tossing in together the cream cheese, brown sugar and walnuts in a small bowl.  Set aside.
5.    Get the prepared loaf pan and pour 1/3 portion of the banana cake mixture then dollop on top with 1/3 portion of red velvet cake mixture. Continue doing this until all the cake mixtures has been used.  
6.    Drizzle top with the prepared topping.
7.    Bake in the oven for at least 45 minutes to an hour. You know the cake is baked when you touch it and it springs back or when a toothpick inserted at the center of the cake comes out clean.

Recipe Notes
Yield: 8 to 10 servings (or 1 whole 9 x 5 x3-inch loaf pan)
Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Baking Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Tex-Mex option in Makati

Crazy over chicken? Look no farther than Makati because El Pollo Loco opened its new branch at the 2nd floor of Glorietta 4. Known for its popular flame-grilled chicken, this fast casual restaurant offers young urban professionals and families working  and livng in Makati and  nearby areas the chance to enjoy a fresh new level of Tex-Mex goodness.

The brand’s healthy flame-grilled Mexican Chicken has been a staple in the Philippines for 25 for its meat marinated fresh in herbs, spices, fruit juices, and garlic, then grilled the healthy just as you like it for that delectable smoky flavor. 

Chicken meals are served either ala carte or loco (with rice or tortilla) and are bundled with your choice of sides, salads, soups, tacos and quesadillas. Its famed and well-loved sides are fresh tomato salsa (hand-prepared fresh daily), Spanish rice, tortilla bread, potato salad, fiesta corn, loco fries, and coleslaw—perfect for friends and family, and ideal if you need a meal on-the-go, too. They also have the Loco Bowl with Asian Zing, a generous mix of chicken slices grilled to perfection, rice, and sweet corn, then drizzled with a special sauce, perfect for lunch and even dinner.

The restaurant may be all about the chicken, but it also serves their signature Crunchy Tacos (with a choice of either chicken or beef filling), Beef Nachos, Spaghetti con salsa, Chicken Cheese Taquitos, Chicken Quesadilla, and Chips and salsa. Its other branches are in SM Megamall and inside Italianni's Bonifacio High Street. 

Different kinds of ham to make New Year memorable

It’s hard to think of the holidays and not imagine the scrumptious food that traditionally accompanies the celebrations. Part and parcel of this special occasion is the appetizing ham that will make it a New Year to remember.

Here are some King Sue Ham options based on tenderness, aroma, and of course, flavor:

• Bone-In Chinese Ham: A coveted holiday table centerpiece, this ham is made following the handcrafted recipe from King Sue Ham’s founder Mr. Cu Un Kay. It is made from premium hind leg infused with select spices and seasonings, and smoked to divine perfection. Today, the Chinese Ham is recognized as the gold standard for any festive celebration where ham is the show-stopping centerpiece. Available in 2kg to 3.5kg weight range.
• Piña Ham: Infusing the traditional smoked flavors the brand is known for, the Piña Ham is made from whole "Pigue" that is brine-cured for a few days and then cut and placed inside a net used to hang the hams during the long smoking process. 
• Sweet Ham: There's no going wrong with a sensational combination of brine and glaze, mingling harmoniously to create the distinct flavor of the brand’s Sweet Ham. The versatility of this product, available in 800g and 1kg packs, is what makes it shine. Delivering a savory experience with every bite, it’s also ideal for making sliders or roll-ups, topping up grazing boxes, or making satisfying sandwiches for your holiday parties.

Scoop: BLK 513 launches digital frozen yogurt store

Frozen yogurt label BLK 513 invites everyone to visit its new store located in SM Grand Central. The new store features a self-checkout kiosk system that promotes an efficient grab-and-go experience alongside contactless payments. Its new touchscreen ordering format bridges the gap between meeting the market’s changing needs brought on by the pandemic, and the brand’s mission to engage and innovate by embracing new restaurant technology.

“The renewed (brand) experience is our entry to the post-pandemic world,” said co-founder Abi Sy. “In these challenging times, it’s a testament of creativity, surprise, and innovation in our category.”

Known for the retro concepts of its branches, the new store has a vintage theater design paired with modern-day graphic elements. The integration of the wall-mounted self-checkout kiosk into its layout also provides customers a safe and easy way to order their favorites, including a new line of juice cleanses that stays true to its mission of providing customers with access to guilt-free indulgences.

The Black Detox Fruit Juice is available in fruit flavors: Calamansi 15kcal, Dalandan 25kcal, and Mango-Passionfruit 40kcal. These are made with real fruits and the signature activated charcoal, a great way to reset for, during, and after the holidays as well as into the coming year.

Easy holiday snacks: 3 recipes using tortillos

Food has always been a great avenue to express one’s creativity, especially with the current hype surrounding on-the-go snacks or 3-minute chef hacks posted online. There are a lot of videos on the food community of TikTok – FoodTok – that shows the easy step by step on how to put a twist on your favorite go-to snacks. 

And now with the holidays, it’s the perfect time to dive into some delicious snacks while relaxing and enjoying the jolly season. One snack you can enjoy this season is Granny Goose Tortillos and its tasty line of flavored chips made from 100% real and stoneground corn.

There are a number of ways to enjoy Granny Goose Tortillos for an authentic snacking experience for any occasion. Here are three recipes that you can easily make at home:

• Cheesin’ it up: There’s no such thing as too much cheese, and “Four-Cheese Tortillos” is proof of that. It’s made with Tortillos Cheese variant topped with cheddar cheese, cheese spread, and quick-melt cheese that are melted to perfection.
• Tiny burgers with big flavor: The “Mini Burger Crunch” recipe is an updated take on the well-loved slider. Assemble it with small ground beef patties, sliced tomatoes, and sliced cheese. Instead of hamburger buns, this calls for two barbeque chips. It’s a cool appetizer that people can serve at home gatherings.
• Nacho regular chips and salsa: Chips and dip pairing is always a crowd favorite, and one can achieve that with “Salsa Mexicana.” The salsa is a simple mixture of diced tomatoes, diced onions, and squeezed calamansi. Put the Salsa Mexicana in a sauce dish and pair it with a pack of Tortillos Chili for that spicy kick.