From Italian ‘porchetta’ to La Tasca ‘bibingka’: Christmas gift list

I am forever on the lookout for food gifts. The stuff I look for must be unique, but not necessarily expensive. And, of course, I want the recipient to close his eyes in satisfaction as he bites into it.

 

My Christmas list:

 

Chef Judy’s Chiffonelle Cake. It’s a light caramel cake with a tinge of lemon. Simple but simply delicious. It’s my latest discovery. Tel. 09178975839

 

Casa Daza Empanada

 

Casa Daza Empanadas. I don’t usually like promoting my products, but I’ll make an exception for these. They’re that good. Best kaliskis empanada for me. Original or chicken—for me, the original has a slight edge. Tel. 7202290 or 09171490021

 

Bottled Gourmet Tinapa. Heathy tinapa in extra-virgin olive oil with herbs and spices. Best on toast, over pasta or simply with sinangag and egg. Tel. 09175120193

 

Lorenzo’s Food for the Gods. It’s a 50-year-old family recipe that is so addictive. I first featured this almost a decade ago. Tel. 09175441105

 

Sugarbee Alfajores and Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake. Tel. 8520557, 09053784774

 

Brazo Cupcakes. Tel. 09287545327

 

Korean Beef Stew by chef Yrish de la Rosa. Tel. 09177196462

 

Shane’s Healthy Cupcakes. No flour, naturally sweetened, no butter, no oil but masarap.  Shane Remu, tel. 09272707742

 

Papermoon Mille Crepes and Cookies. The ube and original layered mini crepes and whole cakes, chocolate chip cookies and dark chocolate cookie with white chocolate dot are good. Tel. 3724054

 

Callos by chef Victor Sanchez. Tel. 09175777099

 

Roast Turkey with all the fixings by chef Bob and Ninay. Tel. 09189098850

 

Baby Phat Ensaymadas. Huge, unique flavors, and delicious. Made by chef Pearl. Tel. 09177901127

 

Italian Porchetta by Ram Jorge. Italian-style boneless lechon. Tel. 09178102218

 

Tinee de Guzman’s cochinillo. Tel. 09175251025

 

Czar’s Apple Pies. Winner of Great American cookfest—perfect with queso de bola. Tel. 09175411167

 

Shirley’s bottled tuyo. Tel. 09998820635

 

General’s Lechon

 

General’s Lechon. Best lechon in Manila. My favorite is the Chili Garlic. Book early. Tel. 09178975966

 

Margie de la Rama’s cochinillo. Also, try her roast turkey. Tel. 09178971017

 

Sans Rival by Gay Vasquez. Tel. 09173010615

 

Cakes by pastry chef Sunshine Puey. Choose from unique éclairs, exceptional chocolate cakes, brown butter chocolate chip cookies, chocolate truffle cookies and raspberry financiers. Tel. 09178832432,  4039051

 

Tani Bautista’s Upside Down Cake

 

Upside Down Cake, Ammaretto Cake and Prune Cake  by Tani Bautista. The Upside Down is to die for. Tel. 09175320816

 

Mediterranean Chicken and Hainanese Chicken by chef Jyn Ngo. Tel. 09175280563

 

Lengua by Oliver. Tender, rich and flavorful with a delicious brown sauce—best I’ve tried. Tel. 09172763555

 

Ginny de Guzman’s truffle chocolate cake, parmesan shortbread cookies and champorado cookies. Tilde Bakery,  Tel. 7712764, 09951038781

 

Casa Medillano authentic-tasting paella. Tel. 09165568842

 

Felicia’s Ensaymada from Bacolod. They can deliver to your doorstep. Tel. 09185514638

 

Kitchen’s Best Cake Plaisir, Turtle Pie and Mango Sans Rival. Tel. 09178871988

 

Queso de Bola Cheesecake—best one around. Tel. 09209278188

 

Chocolate Velvet Cake by Sylvia Cancio. A combination of cake and mousse with superior chocolate glaze. Tel. 09178352102

 

Pastelleria Mallorca’s buttery and gigantic ensaymada. Tel. 09053704433

 

Hector’s Chicharon Bituka. Tel. 09062661564

 

La Tasca Bibingka. The best Pinoy kakanin ever. Tel.  8979749.

 

Plaza Ham and Corned Beef by Millie and Karla Reyes. Tel. 09175874267

 

Stevie’s Hainanese Chicken and Vietnamese fresh spring rolls. Tel. 09065084155.

 

Valrhona Chocolate Cake by Dolcelatte. Tel. 09175563374

 

Crème Brulée Cake by Camille Ocampo. Tel. 09167457729

 

Mara de la Rama’s Gateau Crepe, Chocolate Panna Cotta and Flourless Truffle Cake. Tel. 09178116272,  09178036272

 

Chef Jill Sandique’s Macadamia and Pistachio Sans Rival. Tel. 09228262673

 

Estrel’s Caramel Cake. Tel. 3722965

 

Baked Chicken Empanadas by Kris Ompaoco. Tel. 0927234 1990, 9207282

 

Giant ensaymada by Melissa from Pampanga. Also at the Legazpi Sunday market. Tel. 09209478819

 

Happy eating!

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