There are many holiday gift suggestions to choose from. The options are virtually endless—from cakes and pastries to savory dishes to caterers. Here is part 2 of my Christmas gift ideas.
1) Nana Meng’s Tsokolate—thick, creamy, peanuty. Instant tsokolate at its finest. From Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Tel. 0917-7962731, 0920-9023216
2) Mac’s Deli—Polish Kielbasa, Oscar Mayer turkey bacon, Ball Park franks and Nathan Beef Franks, all delicious American sausages made by Marnie Cordova. Tel. 0998-9523902
3) Ricky Fariñas Kurobuta pork Laoag longganisa, tel. 0906-4010237
4) Shirley’s Bottled Tuyo—convenient and sarap without having to make the whole house smell like fried tuyo. Tel. 0999-8820635
5) Chef Heny Sison—Choose anything on her list and it will be a sure winner. The name says it all. Tel. 9228558
6) Ben’s Lechong Baka—This version disappeared for a while so I was so happy to find it again. Ben’s son, Dondon Mejia, now runs it with the exact same recipe. Sarap! Tel. 0917-5224386
7) The Plaza ham and corned beef—This is Karla and Millie Reyes’ ham, with wasabi mayo, a winner! The corned beef is to die for, either boiled or roasted. Tel. 8908446, 0917-5874267
8) Bottled Vodka Tinapa and Tinapa con Malunggay. Made by Jaq’s Kitchen. With melba toast, it will be a great gift idea as well as a fantastic pica-pica at parties! Tel. 2167429, 0917-5296918
9) Italian Porketta by Porketta man Ram Jorge—delicious, crunchy, flavorful pork belly with a green sauce. Highly recommended. Yum! Tel. 0917-8102218
10) Margie de la Rama roasts a mean and delicious crispy cochinillo and turkey. I first tasted the dishes at a dinner party. Sarap! Tel. 0917-8971017
11) Wedding cake specialist chef Penk Ching’s apple walnut, banana walnut, carrot walnut loaf, chocolate walnut clusters in tin cans. This is really a surprise—sugar Christmas balls which you break and inside are butter walnut cookies. Tel. 0917-8122676
12) French chef JP Migne’s delicious galantina, Terrine and French Paté de Campagne. Served with sour pickles, Dijon mustard and baguette, it’s heavenly. Tel. 0977-8115680
13) Stevie’s Hainanese Chicken Rice package complete with rice and three sauces. Very well-packaged. Also try the delicious Vietnamese fresh lumpia. With sriracha and hoisin sauce, another winner. Tel. 0906-5084155, 0917-5783843
14) Giant Ensaymada made by Meliss of Pampanga—Moist, huge and such a winner. Tel. 4046582, 0920-9478819
15) Estrel’s Caramel Cake made by chef Gina Navarro. An all-time favorite since 1946. Also try the lengua de gato with toasted almond slivers. Tel. 3722965, 3717938
16) Sans Rival by Guy Vasquez—very good. Tel. 0917-3010615, 6310125
17) Chef Sam’s Peanut Butter Cake—made with Reese’s and Butterfinger candy. Fantastic. Also try the red egg cupcakes. Tel. 0920-9207268
18) Queso de Bola cheesecake—best version I have tried, made by Cru Kitchen. Available at Power Plant Mall every day till Christmas. Tel. 8284474, 0920-9278188
19) Tiny de Guzman’s Cochinillo—Cut with a platito, tender and flavorful. He also makes a Baboy Ramo version. Tel. 0917-5251025
20) Rico’s Cebu lechon—the best. You deposit the payment, he sends the lechon by freight, pick it up and it’s still crispy. Very affordable, too. Tel. 0917-4072033
21) Torta Torrejon—sans-rival-like crunchy cake with a brazo filling. Out of this world. Tel. 0919-9964989
22) Casa Medillano—authentic Spanish paella. Tel. 0916-5568842, 0917-8801469
23) Roast Beef Belly and Taba ng Talangka Paella by Nawwty’s Kitchen Tel. 0917-5310673
24) Catering by Peachy—delicious spread of dishes. Brother Ricky put on weight from feasting on her dishes. Tel. 0917-6261006, 0918-9081006
25) Catering by Match Point—for a stress-free Christmas party. Tel. 0917-5225450
26) Kris Ongpaoco—best chicken empanada in town. Tel. 0927-2341990, 9207282
27) Kangen Alkaline water machine—expensive but most effective health gift. Neutralizes acid in the body which causes most of our body illnesses like acid reflux, high cholesterol, gout, diabetes, etc. Book a demo to understand better its benefits. Considered a medical device in Japan. Cancer cells thrive in an acidic body but not in an alkaline environment. Tel. 0917-3100958
Merry Christmas to everyone. Let’s plan the diet after the holidays. Trust me, it’s useless to even try.
Happy eating!
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