Healthy Options Junk Food Haul

I am thankful for a store like Healthy Options who provide health conscious eaters like me more options (to the readers who know me, stop laughing!).

I went there today to get my healthy junk food. No that’s not an oxymoron. I happened to watch the Today show’s feature on healthy snacking and they showed Popchips which are air popped potato chips. They taste pretty good and have 0 fat. Kettle baked potato chips are also a favorite of mine.

SM Megamall
2/f Building B
telephone: 636-1310

Eat and Go

This is a new restaurant in SM Megamall’s Atrium.

Their specialty is the London pies. Today they had 3 variants – Salmon & Spinach (bestseller), Juicy Steak and Chicken Ham. The pies are wrapped in a phyllo crust. I bought 4 pieces for the price of 3. I tried the chicken first. I see ham slices, chicken bits and potatoes but somehow all I taste are the potatoes. The crust was light and crisp but they should call it Potato Pie.


chicken and ham pie

Next I tried the bestseller, Salmon & Spinach. Don’t get me wrong I love potatoes but somehow the potatoes in these pies totally overwhelm the fillings. I can taste the salmon bits, there was barely any visible spinach and 1/2 layer of potatoes. After I gave the potatoes to my pomeranians and doused the salmon pie w/ Knorr seasoning was I able to enjoy the remains of the pie. I love savory pies and really wanted to like these pies but sorry I have to give the London pies two thumbs down. Hopefully the steak pie turns out better since steak goes well with potatoes.


Salmon and Spinach pie


side dishes


3/f SM Megamall Atrium
telephone: 635-9559

Odd Balls

My favorite food at SM Mega Mall supermarket is Odd Balls. They sell a variety of balls – squid, fish, shrimp and kikiam. I only eat their squid balls which are chewy and have a subtle squid taste.

What makes their squid balls stand out is the mix of hot and sweet sauce. The sign below translates to – what’s good with odd balls? hot sauce, sweet sauce or both good. Someone discovered combining both sauces and it works!

Chorizo

Chorizo is a staple in my pantry. Not only is it an essential ingredient in dishes like Callos (tripe in tomato sauce) and Paella, it’s uses are endless. The best chorizo is La Norenense which can be found in Unimart and Landmark supermarkets. This small can costs P277.50.

I like using bottled tomato sauce for pasta and chicken dishes because I can keep the unused portion in the refrigerator. And because it’s in a big bottle I will always see it when I open the ref and remember to use it. This is available in Unimart and S & R.

For a quick sandwich:
Chorizo Panini
Ciabatta or bread of your choice
Few slices of chorizo
Mozarella or Gruyere Cheese or Kesong Puti
Press in your panini grill.

For a quick lunch:

Potato and Chorizo Frittata
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2-3 La Norenense chorizo, cut into slices
3 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
1 medium onion, chopped
8 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Pour 3 tablespoons olive oil into a 12-inch non stick, skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and fry for 5 minutes; add the potato and onion and fry until the onions start to soften, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat and cover the skillet; cook until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove the cover, raise the heat, and cook until the potatoes are brown and crispy, about another 5 minutes.

Meanwhile break the eggs into a large bowl, add the milk, season with salt and pepper, and whisk until frothy. Pour the egg mixture into the pan, shaking the pan to distribute the eggs evenly. Immediately, lower the heat and let the eggs cook, undisturbed, for about 2 minutes. Run a silicone spatula or a table knife around the edges of the pan to release the frittata, then cover the pan and cook slowly for another 8 to 12 minutes, or until the top is just set. Every couple of minutes, run your spatula around the sides of the pan and just under the frittata to keep it free from sticking.

Place a plate over the skillet and carefully turn out the frittata. Wipe the skillet clean, return it to low heat, add another tablespoon of the oil and slip the frittata back into the pan. Cook 5 minutes more to set and brown the underside. Cut it into thin wedges, and serve.

For an easy dinner:
This is my creation so pardon the recipe.

Chicken Chorizo Menudo
1 chicken breast cut into small pieces
1/4 cup diced onion
1 potato, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 or 2 pcs La Norenense chorizo, diced
Tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes

Season the chicken with salt and pepper then lightly toss with a little flour. Saute the chicken in a little olive oil until just cooked. Transfer to a plate. In the same pan saute the chorizo to release the oil. When slightly brown transfer to a plate. Put the onions in the pan and cook till soft. Add the potatoes and fry until it’s cooked. If the pan is dry you can add some olive oil. Add the carrots and cook further. Add the chicken and the chorizo back in the pan. Add some tomato sauce and simmer until sauce is thickened a bit. Season with salt and pepper. Add a teeny amount of sugar and red pepper flakes if desired. Do not overcook the chicken. Serve with a mountain of rice.

Back to Heat at Edsa Shangri-la pt. 1

I haven’t been to Heat in ages. I was surprised with the many, many, many new food additions and the kids entertainment. No wonder the place was full! So much for a recession. Because of the big amount of pictures I’m not showing the salads and healthy stuff. But they had a good selection of those too.

this is what greets you in the entrance


the juggler


the pool outside Heat


indian curries


noodle soup bar / laksa



Mongolian station


Filipino spread

sisig


bagoong and salted eggs


adobong pusit (squid)


nilagang baka (beef soup)


lamb simlamirch


seafood curry

mongolian fried rice


veggie tempura

Heat
Edsa Shangri-La Hotel
Lobby Level
1 Garden Way, Ortigas Center
Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
telephone: 633-8888 loc 2740 or 2741

What’s Hot at SOS!

SOS is my store where I sell food and other kinds of nourishment. Of all the snack items I carry, Oishi’s Marty’s Cracklin’ outsells everything by leaps and bounds. It must be the promise of a vegetarian chicharon (pork rind) that has 0% cholesterol and is guilt free. It’s really amazing how they got the texture, bite and mouth feel of the real pork chicharon. The subtle vinegar flavor also enhances the chicharon eating experience. Although a few find the vinegar taste too strong. For me it’s just perfect. I sell 2 to 4 cases a day. Maybe it’s because my customers can’t find this product in any supermarket. It pays to have some connection. Thanks Kevin and Rinby!

It doesn’t look so good but it tastes great! And sooo addicting.

Ssshhhh… don’t tell anyone about the calories. It’s vegetarian!

ChocoMani is the grown up chocnut of our youth. It’s more dense, peanut buttery and less sweet than the original chocnut. It’s simply yummier!