Food

November 17, 2011

Century Tuna Breakfast Fajitas

Posted on November 17, 2011 by jenni

I’m baaaaack! Back to posting recipes, I mean.

I miss blogging Century Tuna recipes!

Today is a special treat because I’ve experimented on a breakfast meal that will trigger your imagination! Yes, I’m that confident about this dish. Hold on to your spatulas, this is going to be a mouthwatering and healthy meal!

Ladies, gentlemen, and gheys, presenting…

Century Tuna Breakfast Fajitas

Happy, healthy meal

Ingredients:

Century Tuna Bangus Tapa

Whole wheat fajitas

From top: tomatoes with coriander coriander, lemon, green bell peppers, red onion, and alfalfa sprouts

Salt and pepper to taste

Easy peasy:

Step 1: Prep all the veggies:

•To make fresh salsa: Combine cubed fresh tomatoes, chopped coriander, and season it with salt and pepper.

•Sauté red onions and green pepper in extra virgin olive oil.

Step 2: Grill or heat up in a pan the whole wheat tortillas.

Tip: Don't over cook the tortilla. You want it warm but not crispy as it would fall apart easily when you bite into it.

Step 3: Poach an egg

Tip: When poaching an egg, use a cup to hold the egg then slowly dip it in the simmering water (seasoned with salt and vinegar — adding 1 tbsp of vinegar to the water helps coagulate the egg) and prop it on the side of the pan to hold the egg together. Leave it till egg is cooked.

Step 4: Fry the Century Tuna Bangus Tapa.

Tip: Cook the bangus tapa in patty form to get the beef tapa-look.

Have you tried this? Oh. My. Gosh. Soooo good!

Step 5: Layer the ingredients on top of the whole wheat tortilla. Squeeze lemon juice.

Well, hello there!

Oooh...I know!

Step 6: Fold the fajita, close your eyes, and take a big bite!

Mmm...

I am on a special diet right now but I couldn’t help but take a bite of this! It was worth it! I made a big batch for my family and household and they all had seconds! So the next time you see the “Liza 2000″ (my small but awesome helper), ask her about my Century Banus Tapa fajitas, she’ll tell you that, “iz gud!“.

A friendly reminder: Please vote for me for the Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Awards 2011 as the BEST LIFESTYLE BLOG. I’m competing with other blogs from different countries in Asia. Tayo natin ang bandilang Pinoy!

Vote for me!!!

Cast your vote now: awards.nuffnang.com/2011/votes/#start-vote

Jenni Epperson

November 11, 2011

Holiday in a Cup + Give Love

Posted on November 11, 2011 by jenni

You know it’s nearly the holidays when…

Seattle’s Best Coffee Philippines kicked off the holidays by unveiling four new coffees available for a limited time at its locations nationwide. The four new blends: Chocolate Cherry, Coffee Hazelnut, Cookies and Mint, and Coffee Cream Pie.

Mocha Flavors

Coffee Hazelnut Javakula with Coffee Cream Pie Mocha

Coffee Hazelnut Mocha paired with Carrot cake

Mocha Flavors

Cookies and Mint Javakula with Chocolate Cherry Mocha

Javakula Flavors

World Vision Partnership

The launch also served to unveil a new long-term partnership between the premium lifestyle coffee retailer and prominent children’s foundation, World Vision. World Vision is considered the largest child sponsorship agency globally. In the Philippines, World Vision currently helps improve the lives of more than 120,000 children and 16 million Filipinos in 33 provinces and 44 cities nationwide.

Seattle's Best Coffee journal with free drink and pastry coupons

Both the best in their respective fields, Seattle’s Best Coffee Philippines and World Vision have joined together to provide children a chance to be the best they can be as well. Similar to its past holiday promotions, customers will receive stickers when they purchase one of Seattle’s Best Coffee’s new holiday or classic drinks from October 22, 2011 to January 22, 2012. When a total of 18 stickers are collected, customers present their completed “dream card” and redeem a leather journal loaded with, amongst other things: free music, goodies, food and drinks coupons, and up to 24 hours worth of free wifi at selected Seattle’s Best Coffee shop.

SBC Christmas Friends

In addition to the stickers, World Vision donation boxes will be placed in every Seattle’s Best Coffee location allowing customers to give more to those less fortunate this holiday season.

Seattle’s Best Coffee’s four new holiday drinks along with the rest of its extensive menu of food and other beverages are available at 15 freestanding locations: Greenbelt 3 G/F; Bonifacio High Street; Valero Street, Makati City; Makati Medical Center; SM Megamall G/F; Cardinal Santos Hospital, San Juan, Manila; Trinoma 2/L; Katipunan Street – near Ateneo University; SM Mall of Asia G/F; Metropolitan Hospital G/F; Neo Plaza, Ongpin Street; Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3; Festival Mall 3/L; CALTEX SLEX – Southbound, Laguna; The Terraces G/F, Ayala Center, Cebu.

Jenni Epperson

The Best Fish & Chips in the Metro

Posted on November 11, 2011 by jenni

In London, everyone loves fresh fish in golden crisp batter, served with golden chips plus a dash of salt and vinegar.

So far, I’ve only been to London twice, but I lived on fish & chips! I love those golden nuggets of seafood and fries!

So, you can imagine how excited I was when Stylebible’s Isha Andaya-Valles gave me the lowdown on her hubby Chef Enrique Valle’s new venture: Chuck’s Grub Fish & Chips!

Chuck's Grub Fish & Chips

Isha: “Jenni! Hi! You missed Fashion Week!
Me: “I know. I’ve been so busy plus, baby Dylan takes so much of my time! I’ll go next time. I missed you!”
Isha: *Chika, chika, chika*
Me: *Chika, chika, chika*
Isha: *Chika, chika, chika*
Me: *Chika, chika, chika*
Isha: *Chika, chika, chika*
Me: *Chika, chika, chika*
Isha: “Oh by the way, we opened a fish & chip stall in Powerplant Mall.”
Me: OMG Ishaaaaaa! Congrats! I’d love to try it! I’ll go, I’ll go! Tomorrow.
Isha: “Try it!”
Me: “What’s the name?”
Isha: “Chuck’s Grub!”
Me: “Who’s Chuck?”
Isha: “Enrique”
Me: “Enrique’s nickname is Chuck?”
Isha: “No, he just looks like a “Chuck”. Di ba?
Me: *LOL*

Traditional fish & chips are served in newspaper cones. Chuck’s Grub’s fish & chips cardboard cones are more hygienic but still cool.

I love their logo!

Everybody loves Chuck!

Beer batter coated fish, deep fried to perfection! No exaggeration.

The good stuff

Guess who’s atatey? LOL

Mom, check out the crispy fish!

CG's Menu

We ordered the cream dory, snapper, and halibut.

Golden fish nuggets

Traditional English “chips” are made with real potatoes, peeled, and cut into half-inch fingers then fried. Eaten fresh, chips have a crisp outside that cracks open to reveal a steaming, starchy, glistening white inside. Eaten normally (soused in salt and vinegar and nestling in the newspaper).

Chuck’s potato wedges were well-seasoned. I love salt and freshly ground pepper on my potatoes!

Proper British chips are essentially potato, not like French fries.

English-style fish & chips are dipped in vinegar. I tried it and it’s good but I prefer the garlic mayo and tartare sauce.

What Aryanna and I liked about their sauces is that they were light yet tasty. The flavors did not overpower the fish.

Tom on the other hand is a purist, he preferred only plain salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

Choose your own dip

Meet the friendly staff of Chuck’s Grub: Bernard and Net-Net!

Chuck's crew

Me: “Damn you Isha! You killed my special diet!” *LOL*

Aryanna: “It’s all worth it!”

Aryanna-approved!

I highly suggest that you eat the fish & chips while they’re still hot. When freshly cooked, the beer batter of the fish is TDF! Super duper crispy on the outside and soft seafood goodness on the inside!

Great as beer chow!

Mmm...

Our foodie family review:

Tom’s favorite: Halibut- the fish is delicate and melts in your mouth.
Aryanna’s favorite: Snapper- two snaps for the light and delicate flavor!
My favorite: Cream dory- the tastiest fish of the bunch!

English-style: Beer batter fish dipped in malt vinegar

Spotted:

Designer Michelle Sison and her kyoot puppy, Boom-Boom enjoying Chuck's Grub!

Visit them now at the G/F Powerplant Mall, Rockwell (Rustan’s grocery area).

Chuck's Grub is gooooooood!

Like Chuck’s Grub on Facebook!

Jenni Epperson

October 30, 2011

Trick And Treat

Posted on October 30, 2011 by jenni

I know I may sound like a broken record already but can I just say, I’m so busy! I have deadlines to meet, shoots to finish, mommy duties, etc., etc. Kaloka!

Then, there’s Halloween. Just another excuse to escape my responsibilities. Hahaha! I am distracted as to what menu to prepare for the family. It has to be easy, quick to prepare, but still special.

I’m glad my daughter Aryanna is into baking. She volunteered to make dessert. Haaay salamat!

Since we love day-old brownies (it becomes chewier after a day or two), Aryanna prepared it in advance. Thank you sweetheart!

Here’s something you can also prepare for your loved ones for the “scariest” time of the year!

Aryanna’s Halloween Brownies

Sweet & "Scary"

Ingredients:
5 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut into 8 cubes
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup all purpose flour
1 pack Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter candies (you can use any orange-colored candies too)

Reese's Pieces Peanut Butter candies

Easy peasy:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F.
Step 2: Grease the baking pan (preferably 13x9x2 pan)
Step 3: Stir chocolate and butter in a large sauce pan over low heat until melted and smooth.
Step 4: Cool 15 min.
Step 5: After it’s cooled, whisk sugar and vanilla into choco mixture. Whisk eggs then salt, then stir in the flour. Pour batter into the baking pan.
Step 6: Bake brownies for about 20 min.
Step 7: While still hot, add the Reese’s Peanut Butter candies on top of the brownies.
Step 8: Cool in pan before cutting.
Step 9: Serve with a snarl! “Rrr”…hey, it’s Halloween!

I got these Jack O' Lantern dessert plates at Crossings department Store.

Trick and treat: If you’re too lazy (or too scared to make a mistake, haha), just buy a boxed brownies mix and no one will ever know. I won’t tell. Promise. LOL

Fudge-y goodness

Table setting tip: Use black plates for a change. Accessorize your table with orange accessories such as placemats or glassware.

You can also add Halloween decorations like this:

Decorative gourds (mini pumpkin/squash-like crops) are available at Rustan's grocery. Not edible.

(Photo taken using Instagram)

Enjoy the long weekend!

Boo!

Jenni Epperson

October 29, 2011

Hot sPot

Posted on October 29, 2011 by jenni

Aryanna and I love eating shabu-shabu. It’s a fun and quite healthy meal.

Here’s our new favorite hot pot place:

Ganso-Shabuway, Greenbelt 5, Makati City

Here are some info I gathered from the staff:
1. Shabuway means “the road to shabu-shabu for shabu-shabu lovers”
2. Ganso Shabuway is an international franchise of Eiichi Mochizuki’s Shabuway, based in the US

Choose a broth: Traditional Seaweed Broth or Spicy Miso Broth. You can order Half and Half (tables only)

My lunch date:

Aryanna the "multitasker"

Le menu:

One meal is required per customer. Side order is not considered a meal. Meaning, umorder kayo ng set! Bawal ang kuripot. Haha!

If you insist (read: matigas ulo n’yo) on sharing one shabu shabu set, there is a P250 charge.

Aryanna and I ordered the Half and Half broth. I got the Spicy Miso broth (not so spicy) and Aryanna ordered the Traditional Seaweed broth. We suggest to order the Spicy Miso as the Traditional Seaweed broth was bland. As in walang lasa.

Choose a broth: Traditional Seaweed Broth or Spicy Miso Broth. You can order Half and Half (tables only)

Now, the dipping sauce. In our opinion, Ganso-Shabuway sauces are the best! The ponzu sauce has the right sweet, sour and tangy taste to it and the sesame sauce is divine!

From left: Ponzu and Sesame Sauce

Sauce enhancers

I don’t remember what meat Aryanna and I ordered but it was like butter! We both ordered Veggie Plate B, with extra noodles, and Shimeji Balls!

This set is how one order looks like. Kayang-kaya mo 'tong ubusin, so no sharing! Haha!

Let’s fire this baby up!

Na-excite ako, so tinodo ko ang heat! Haha!

Luto-lutuan portion

Let me tell you about Shemeji Balls: THEY. ARE. DELICIOUS.

MUST!!! So yummy!

They are golden globes filled with creamy mushrooms. Morsels of chanterelles ooze with every bite you take.

See that face? That's the look of satisfaction! Haha! Saraaaap ng Shemeji Balls!

Mmm...

We also recommend to order extra thick noodles.

The perfect bowl of soup

I get overwhelmed with the soup + sauce + etc. so I arrange my cooked meat and veggies to one plate.

We had a very late lunch so the place wasn’t crowded. The few times I passed by the place it was packed! Better make reservations.

I love the minimalist interior!

Blogging about this joint made me hungry! Must go back soon!

Ganso-Shabuway Japanese Style Hot Pot
2/F Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City
Contact nos. +632.9036763; +63917.5418181

Jenni Epperson

October 5, 2011

Century Tuna Corned Tuna Inasal Rice

Posted on October 5, 2011 by jenni

After typhoon “Pedring”, “Oplan Bayanihan” is again in full force thanks to the girl with the golden heart (na may sequins pang kumikinag), Divine Lee.

Read about how our barkada became a “bayanihan task force” here (my previous blog).

Once again, the “Becky Queen” twitted that she needed donations for those in need in Bulacan. As soon as I read it, I didn’t think twice to help. Since I can’t physically go to the site as I have a sick family to attend to, I told Divs that I will donate food. Easy.

Just after I tweeted Divine, I realized, how the hell am I going to cook if I’m at a shoot? I didn’t have time to buy supplies at the grocery plus, even if my shoot ends at 7pm, I only had an hour to make baranggay levelz meals (read: good for 200 people)! Haaay!

I called the “Liza 2000″ (my small but amazing help) to give me a quick rundown of food inside our pantry.

Me: “Liz, anong laman ng pantry? Yung pinakamarami nating stock.”
Liza: “Century Tuna Corned Tuna Inasal… Century Tuna Sausage… onions… bigas… Perrier Lemon… “Utmil”
Me: “Utmil???”
Liza: “Yung pagkain ba ni Dylan.”
Me: “OATMEAL!!! LIZ!!!” *LOL*

When life throws you Century Tuna Corned Tuna Inasal and bigas, make a mean…

Corned Tuna Inasal Rice

Mmm

I also made Rice with Century Tuna Sausage and onions

A few slices of lemon and parsley can make simple dishes look special!

Mmm

I have to thank Century Tuna Senior Product Manager Gela Gamboa for coming to my rescue! I lacked Century Tuna Corned Tuna Inasal and she immediately sent me more supplies! You’re the best!

Thank you Century Tuna!

I wanted to cook something that is fast and nutritious for the needy. I believe that they need all the nourishment they can get to rebuild their lives after typhoon “Pedring”.

The Tuna Inasal Rice and rice with sausage and onions are complete meals:

Rice- carbohydrates for energy
Tuna and sausages- protein for muscle building
Carrots and onion- complex carbs aides digestion and fuels energy
Olive oil- good cholesterol

After I posted a photo of the baranggay meals, a lot of my Twitter followers wanted to get the recipe for the Corned Tuna Inasal Rice!

"Baranggay" levelz meals!

Photo taken using Instagram

Due to insistent Twitter follower demands (special mention si Xtina Superstar), here’s the recipe for Century Corned Tuna Inasal Rice:

Recipe (good for two):
2 cups cooked rice (preferably brown rice)
1 can Century Tuna Corned Inasal
1/2 cup finely chopped carrots (1 small carrots)
2 tbsp light soy sauce (for color)
olive oil
salt
white pepper
parsley and lemon for garnish

Easy peasy:

Step 1. Heat up the Corned Tuna Inasal (with its oil) in a pan
Step 2: Add the cooked rice to the Corned Tuna Inasal. Stir.
Step 3: Add the finely chopped carrots.
Step 4: Add the light soy. Season with salt and peppers.
Step 5: Squeeze some lemon juice on top of the rice.
Step 6: Garnish with parsley and sliced lemons.
Step 7: Serve with a smile.

Jenni Epperson

October 2, 2011

Flavored Butter

Posted on October 2, 2011 by jenni

A lot of my Twitter followers have asked me where they can buy truffle butter. Well, here’s the answers:

My friend and fab chef Steph Zubiri of Modern Epicurean Kitchen has concocted flavored butter!

She sent me a sampler pack and all I can say is Mmm…

Food porn:

Who loves butter?

Butter bombs

Butter Sampler

I baked popover for brunch

Best pairings

Mmm

Pumpkin and Ginger Cake in Cream Cheese Icing

Order now!

Price list and food pairings:

Butters:

SAVORY TRUFFLE P450.00
Good for Grilled Seafood

HONEY TRUFFLE and WALNUTS P500.00
Good with – Bread, Crostinis, Pancakes & Waffles

HONEY BUTTER TARTUFFATA P450.00
Good with – Bread, Crostinis, Pancakes, & Waffles

GARLIC HERB BUTTER (rolled & wrapped) P250.00
Good with – Steak, Pasta, Seafood and Risotto

CHILI LEMONGRASS (rolled & wrapped) P250.00
Good for Grilled Seafood

CINNAMON AND GINGER SPREAD (rolled & wrapped) P250.00
Good with – Bread, Crostinis, Pancakes & Waffles

Gift sets:

Butter Sampler (rolled & wrapped) P550.00
Includes all the flavored butters in 30g packs

Gourmet Truffle Butter P1200.00
Includes Savory Truffle Butter and Honey Truffle and Walnuts in
Ceramic Ramekins with Buri box and Ribbon.

Premium Butter Sampler P1000.00
Includes Chili Lemon Grass, Garlic Herb and
Cinnamon and Ginger Spread Rolled and Wrapped with Buri Box and Ribbons.

Cakes:
Pumpkin and Ginger Cake in Cream Cheese Icing
9” x 9” Cake P750.00
4.5” x 8” Cake P350.00

Keep butter refrigerated.

To order, call Phone: Modern Epicurean Kitchen at 3847064 or 09178308393 E-mail: mek@epicurusinc.ph

Jenni Epperson

September 15, 2011

Jollibee: The Reveal

Posted on September 15, 2011 by jenni

So the secret is out!

Jollibee has a new offer for everyone:

Jollibee invited me to their Fort branch to try out their new product:

The jolly peeps (from left): Grace Bermejo, Media Relations Supervisor, Stratworks; Char Vilchez, Senior Account Manager, Stratworks; Arlene Adeva, Senior PR Manager, Jollibee; Cet Calleja, PR Specialist, Jollibee; Kezia Romblon, Media Relations Officer, Stratworks

May plato-platuhan na naganap! Parang pinaghandaan lang ang pagdating ko! Choz! Haha!

OMG! So kyoot!

Shoppingera place card! Haha! I wish I brought this one home with me.

Adorable menu and coaster, noh?

O, di ba? May takip pa talaga. SUSPENSE!

Are you ready?

Eto na!!!

Tah-dah! Jollibee Hash Brown Burger

Beef patty and cheese sandwiched between two BAKED hash browns! YUM!

Jollibee Hash Brown Burgers! Hash browns sandwiching a burger patty? It’s insane! I almost panicked for telling you guys about it. It sounds like a heart attack! Riiiiight?

My fears soon subsided when I found out that these hash browns are BAKED not fried so it’s all the sinful goodness minus the sin! It’s three things everyone loves in one packaging — Hash browns, Burger, and Cheese. Crispy on the outside, soft in the inside hash browns and cheesy burger patty… oh langhap-sarap indeed! One thing though…it’s so good, it’s bitin! I finished a burger and a half!

The MUST condiments

Panulak: Red Watermelon Float, I liked this.

Mmm...

JUBOS!

PAAAK NA PAAK.

I don’t suggest you eat two at a time. I do suggest a perfect serving of one and a half. Take your special person and order three, eat one each and split the last. Sharing will make the Hash Brown Burger even more yum! Remember: Sharing is caring!

Shoppingero/shoppingera, order at Jollibee now na!

Jenni Epperson

September 13, 2011

A Unique Gift From Jollibee

Posted on September 13, 2011 by jenni

Jollibee has a surprise. And it’s not what toy is in the Kiddie Meal.

Ladies, gentlemen, and gheys of the Republic of the Philippines, the Langhap Sarap fastfood chain is cooking up something different. I guess it’s still a secret to this day. It’s such a secret I’m not really even sure what I’m writing about. Hahaha!

SUSPENSE!

I think it’s going to be unique and out of this world! Check out what was delivered at my place:

What could this be?

Suspense naman! Haha!

Ano ito???

Surprise! Uhm, ano 'to? Haha!

Are these the ingredients??? Cheese, potatoes, and cow? LOL

Hmm… palaisipan.

Wait, there’s more! A gift within a gift!

Another gift? Woohoo!

@.@

A modern ring dish! Different but cool!

What’s new with Jollibee? Can’t wait to find out and taste it!

Let's all tune in on September 15!

Shoppingero/shoppingera, mark your calendars, September 15, 5pm. Tune in to my website to find out!

Jenni Epperson

Sinfully Yours

Posted on September 13, 2011 by jenni

Wanted: The perfect holiday treat
Prime Suspect: Sinfully by Makati Shangri-la
Case Review: An almost wicked line up of offerings from a new store in Greenbelt 5 is set to engage a following of women set to put a sweet and sexy spell on men (or vice versa) everywhere. Their desserts that look deceivingly angelic and delicate have been said to be “taste-gasmic” and spellbinding are to be released this month in time for the holidays. Coincidence? Maybe. Sinful? Definitely.

Dan dan dan daaaaan…..

This store deserved the added drama. Just look at these sweet and sexy desserts! The perfect holiday treat to give out for all you vampy ladies who want to capture the hearts and stomachs of whomever you’re giving it to this Christmas or any special occasion!