Lunch and Apple Pie Dream Donut from Tim Hortons

We're celebrating hubby's 4th anniversary in Canada with lunch delivery from Tim Hortons. It's my first time ordering directly on the Tim Hortons website, and apparently, their delivery partner is DoorDash.

Lunch delivery from Tim Hortons

Anyway, as with our previous Tim Hortons visit, we ordered whatever Dream Donut is available.

• Dulce de Leche Dream Donut from early 2020
• Chocolate Hazelnut Éclair Dream
• Sea Salted Caramel Dream
• New York Cheesecake Dream Donut
• Strawberry Shortcake Filled Ring
• Vanilla Cream Puff Filled Ring

Today, we were able to try the Apple Pie Dream Donut. It was surprisingly delicious. I love the crumble on top and the surprising apple pie in the middle.

Apple Pie Dream Donut

I also ordered one of my favourite items, the Chili. I was going to order Potato Wedges but saw Chili & Cheese Potato Wedges. I'm too weak to say no to that. I regretted not going for the tried and tested Potato Wedges. I do not recommend the Chili & Cheese Potato Wedges. It's their Chili Soup on top of Potato Wedges; they're good separately but not together.

Chili & Cheese Potato Wedges

We also ordered featured items like the Pumpkin Spice Muffin and Pumpkin Spice Iced Capp. 

Small Pumpkin Spice Iced Capp and Pumpkin Spice Muffin

Lastly, hubby ordered Slow Cooked Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap since it's the only remaining chicken wrap that we haven't tried. He thought the other chicken wrap was better.

Slow-Cooked Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap

It's such a food coma lunch.

My IKEA Food Subscription Experience: Swedish Meatballs Bundle

IKEA is doing a trial run of their food subscription service here in Vancouver. Our zip code qualifies, so I thought, why not try and see how things work out.

How to join?

Ordering is easy. You just go to the IKEA Food Subscription page and check if your postal code is included in its service area. They have two boxes, a "Swedish Meatballs Meal Bundle" for $50.49 (including tax) and a "Swedish Treats Bundle" for $33.46 (including tax). I got both.

The Experience

Payment Issues

I know it's a trial, and I expect that there will be challenges along the way. IKEA sent me an email confirming my order, and I am excited. After 12 hours, they sent me another email confirming my order with a different order number. It seems like they processed my subscription twice and charged my credit card twice for $83.95.

I am unhappy. I called them as soon as I saw the second charge. I want to know if I made a mistake when placing the order or what's going on. The folks handling customer support have zero access to the food subscription orders since it's in the trial, so I was on the phone with them for an hour (mostly on hold) as they try to find information.

By the end of it, they couldn't find any information, but they opened up a ticket on my behalf to communicate with IKEA Richmond to cancel what looks like a second-order and refund the second charge.

It's all good since I have been refunded.

Delivery Email Issues

Again, I understand that it's on trial, but I received A LOT of emails from the delivery company they used locally.

• Four emails (with different tracking numbers and order numbers) that my order is "on its way."
• Six emails (again, with four different tracking numbers and order numbers) that my order "has been assigned to a driver."
• Two emails (thank God it's the same order number and tracking number) that my order is "on its way."

E24 Metro Supply Chain Group needs to improve their tech systems to provide better service and not look spam.

I also got an SMS that my order is next to be delivered, which would have been great, but it arrived 10 minutes after receiving my delivery. The driver was kind enough to call my number.

Delivery Issues

I got my package today! I am so excited! I ordered both the Swedish Meatballs Bundle and Swedish Treats Bundle. However, I only received the Swedish Meatballs Bundle. I am uncertain if they shipped both or only one. As expected, calling them means getting clueless customer support. I tried calling the IKEA Richmond number as well, but it just kept ringing.

Box of Swedish Meatballs Meal

I sent them an email, and hopefully, I hear back whether I should have received both bundles together or if the Swedish Treats Bundle is coming from a separate package.

March 30, 2021 Update: IKEA responded to my email that the Swedish Treats Bundle is arriving on a separate package. It would have helped if that was clarified in the communications. 

Swedish Meatballs Bundle

My Swedish Meatballs Bundle arrived, and I am excited to open the box and paper bag. Inside the paper bag are four pouches of sauce mix (gravy) and a lingonberry jam bottle. Meanwhile, the box contains 2 bags of frozen meatballs and 2 bags of mashed potatoes.

My Swedish Meatballs Meal Bundle

Excited to try it!

KӦTTBULLAR Meatballs

ALLEMANSRÄTTEN Mashed potatoes

SYLT LINGON Lingonberry jam and ALLEMANSRÄTTEN Sauce mix

IMPORTANT: The gravy needs full fat cream.

IKEA Dinner at Home!

We are going to have meatballs and mashed potatoes for dinner tonight, and I can't wait! Hopefully, I remember to update this blog post afterwards.

We've had meatballs and mashed potatoes for dinner.

TIPS:

1. I cooked 300 grams of the ALLEMANSRÄTTEN Mashed potatoes and used 3 tbsp of water.
2. Eat the meatballs right away. Freshly cooked meatballs are surprisingly delicious.
3. The gravy (sauce mix) is still lumpy. It's probably because we can only buy half and half milk. I also added an additional tbsp of water to what the instructions recommend. 

Our dinner from IKEA is enjoyed at home.

It was delicious!

Is it worth it?

I think it's worth - $50.49 for 2 kgs of meatballs and 1.2 kgs of mashed potatoes. If I have a bigger fridge, I actually don't mind having it there for days when I feel like eating meatballs and mashed potatoes.

I am still unsure if I will subscribe IF they decide to make it permanent. We'll see. For now, I'll enjoy IKEA meatballs in the comfort of my home.

Lunch delivery from KamayKainan

Happy Friday! For lunch today, I had Filipino food delivered from the KamayKainan Facebook page. I ordered three things: Kare-Kare, lumpiang shanghai, and pancit palabok.

I made a terrible mistake and gave the wrong address. Instead of our street, I gave the closest cross street. Big facepalm. They're nice enough to deliver it still to our house.

This is our order from Kamay Kainan Facebook page in Metro Vancouver

Kare-Kare

Creamy peanut butter stew with shrimp paste (bagoong) is so delicious with rice. Their spicy bagoong is fantastic. This is the kare-kare with most meat and vegetable I have tried. There's not a lot of sauce (compared to Tasty Pinoy BBQ Skewers at iba pa and Cooking Ng Ina (putaheng Pinoy), but the amount of meat and vegetable more than compensate for it. I love how soft the beef is.

 

Kare-Kare

Pancit Palabok

This is hubby's request because we don't usually order palabok, and not many online vendors sell them—Yay for palabok. I enjoyed the chicharon on top (I don't eat chicharon by itself, but when mixed on a dish, I don't mind). There are gigantic shrimps and seafood in it. It's perfect with a squeeze of lemon on top.

I love how colourful the palabok is.

Top-view of the Palabok tray

Pancit Palabok

Lumpiang Shanghai

Lumpiang Shanghai is delicious. This has replaced Little Ongpin as my favourite source of Lumpiang Shanghai. If you have been following my blog (I highly doubt anyone does, LOL), I have a "best" or favourite version of specific dishes, and this has just become my favourite Lumpiang Shanghai. I'm so happy.

Hubby did say it would be even better after it becomes crispy again. I can't wait to reheat the leftovers in my air fryer.

Dear Lumpiang Shanghai, I can't wait to reheat you in the air fryer.

Maja

I don't eat rice cakes (kakanin) in general. But hubby does,       and he approves of this Maja we got for free. Thanks, Lynn, for the free small Maja.

Yay for free, Maja!

How to order?

Send KamayKainan a message on Facebook to place an order. I highly recommend the Lumpiang Shanghai. You can't really go wrong with kare-kare and palabok as well. Happy eating!

New Year's Eve Midnight Snack from SM Delights

If you read my previous post, I explained our NYE dinner tradition. On top of ordering pies, I got different round Filipino snacks from SM Delights.

Bibikingkinitan (which I assume means small bibingka)

Puto and Kutsinta

Mocha Mamon and Chocobutternut

They gave us free choco butternut and caramel bar, which was a nice surprise.

I ordered three more items which I gave to my parents to enjoy. Pan de coco is my dad's favourite. Cassava cake is something my mom has been craving for a while now. Lastly, I ordered Spanish bread for my siblings to enjoy.

Cassava Cake

Spanish Bread

Pan de Coco

I haven't heard from my family if they like it or not.

I enjoyed the bibingkinitan, and it's the only thing we've eaten so far since we ordered a lot of food and has been eating nonstop. We'll have the rest for tomorrow. Happy New Year!

January 5, 2021 Update:

I love the mocha mamon. I want to order a couple dozen just so I can munch on it for dessert and snacks. My hubby loved the choco butternut after we placed it on the microwave for 20 seconds. It's warm and delicious. 

Christmas Eve dinner from Lin Chinese Cuisine

Every year our family (my sisters) chooses a cuisine for Christmas Eve dinner. This year they chose Chinese cuisine because they want Yang Chow Fried Rice.

We have our dinner separately. Hubby and I are in our home while my parents and siblings are in theirs. We are following the rules and are not physically together.

I ordered from Lin Chinese Cuisine. I called as early as 2:30 PM to place an order for 5:00 PM delivery. The lady over the phone said it'll get there around 5:30 to 5:45, which works fine for us. I forgot to tell her that our buzzer doesn't work, so I tried calling at 5:00 PM, and their number is not working. We decided to wait in the lobby of our building at 5:30 to wait for our delivery and ensure that the delivery person doesn't wait long.

It's a miracle! We only waited a couple minutes, and he got there. He told us that they have 30 deliveries in the area simultaneously, and the chef is going crazy because they didn't expect the demand. I added a huge tip on my order, and hopefully, the chef, delivery person, and everyone gets a share.

Noche Buena - Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai juicy pork dumplings)

Pan-fried pork buns

In an older post, I mentioned that I didn't enjoy the steamed pork buns, and I think the pan-fried version will be better, and I was right—Yay past self for the reminder to try the pan-fried pork bun.

Free Spring Rolls when you spend $50 or more

House Special Fried Rice

Our favourite Shanghai-style Chow Mein

Ginger Beef

Lemon Chicken

Honey Prawns

Shredded Pork with Chili and Garlic Sauce

We had a lot of food, and my simple table setting (i.e. paper plates, LOL) did the trick. No dishes to wash, it looks good, and we still keep maintain our simplistic lifestyle of buying only the things we need.

We ate dinner simultaneously as our family in Richmond, and we were doing it over a video call. After dinner and desserts from PICA, hubby and I watched "It's a Wonderful Life" for the first time. By the time the movie was over, it's 11:00 PM, only an hour before our traditional 12-midnight exchange gift.

Merry Christmas!

Dinner delivery from Pizza Hut

I had a long Monday because it's Cyber Monday and people want to take advantage of deals last minute. Anyway, I have been working from 7:40 a.m. until 5:40 p.m. with a 20-minute or so lunch break. The phone was ringing nonstop and people were sending messages in chat and email. Crazy day.

I thought I'd give myself a rewarding dinner, but I wasn't really craving anything in particular. All I know is our fridge is nearly empty so I needed to order something we can eat for a few days. I was thinking of Chinese food since we always can cook rice, but I don't feel like eating Chinese food. I thought about Domino's Pizza and KFC because they're both having a promo for Cyber Monday.

I end up ordering from Pizza Hut. I ordered a Triple Treat box and pasta. It's my first time trying their pasta.

12" Canadian Pizza (Pepperoni, bacon crumble, sliced mushrooms and pizza mozzarella)

Large Supreme Lover's® (Pepperoni, mild sausage, beef topping, green pepper, sliced mushrooms, red onion and pizza mozzarella)

Garlic Parmesan Boneless Bites (Crispy, breaded seasoned chicken breast) pieces

Indian Butter Boneless Chicken Bites (Crispy, breaded seasoned chicken breast)

I didn't like both boneless bites flavours I picked and I'm thinking of trying all of them. My favourite so far is still salt and pepper.

The Ultimate Hershey’s Chipits Cookie

Family Bacon Mac 'N Cheese (Creamy cheddar cheese sauce tossed with rotini pasta and topped with bacon strips, pizza mozzarella and oven-baked. Includes fresh breadsticks.)

I was disappointed with the first pasta dish I tried. It's not great. To be fair, I haven't tried a lot of mac and cheese to know what great is, all I know is I didn't enjoy this one. Thankfully it comes with breasticks.

Large Breadsticks (Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside with cheese. Served with marinara dipping sauce.)

Praying for a peaceful, productive, and healthy December.

My Birthday Celebration: Cake from Arts to Bakes

It's my birthday weekend. We went to my parent's place in Richmond, BC, to celebrate. Don't worry, we didn't invite people to the celebration - it's just seven people and two households. The first household is me, and my husband and the second household is my parents and three siblings.

Mocha Cake from Arts to Bakes

KayeBakes CA is my go-to cake source, but Kaye is busy, so I asked the Filipino food group if they would please recommend a place or person who bakes delicious mocha cake since I really want it for my birthday.

The first comment recommended Arts to Bakes. I sent their page a message and asked about the price, delivery, etc.

Mocha Cake from Arts to Bakes in Vancouver, BC.

It's too pretty to eat.

I am delighted with the mocha cake. It's beautiful, and more importantly, it's delicious. The cake is moist, and initially, I thought the coffee flavour is too strong, but with each bite, including the buttercream, it's perfect. The sweet chocolate buttercream and the coffee flavour are amazing.

My mom has the perfect knife for the delicious and moist chiffon mocha cake.

It's such a shame that I don't have a big fridge at home, and I can't bring home to Vancouver most of the cake. I am happy to leave it in Richmond for my parents to enjoy with their coffee and my siblings to eat as dessert.

I highly recommend Arts to Bakes. Be sure to order from them.

My Birthday Celebration: Filipino Food from Tasty Pinoy BBQ Skewers at iba pa

It's my birthday weekend. We went to my parent's place in Richmond, BC, to celebrate. Don't worry, we didn't invite people to the celebration - it's just seven people and two households. The first household is my husband and me, and the second household is my parents and three siblings.

I asked my mom to cook spaghetti for my birthday, and I thought of ordering from LA Chicken. Spaghetti and fried chicken is like a staple in Filipino birthday children's party. However, I became lazy and didn't want to line up and order from LA Chicken.

Feast from Tasty Pinoy BBQ Skewers at Iba pa

To go with my mom's spaghetti, I ordered lumpiang shanghai (Filipino-style spring rolls), pork BBQ in skewers, kwek-kwek, and kare-kare from Tasty Pinoy BBQ Skewers at Iba pa.

My Birthday Feast

Beautiful Vegetables for the Kare-Kare

Veggies and Meat is separate from the creamy peanut sauce.

Filipino-Style Pork BBQ Skewers

My youngest sister is picky with her Filipino-style pork BBQ, and she approved of this. I am happy! As she succinctly expressed, the meat is juicy and has the perfect meat-fat ratio.

Kwek-Kwek

My younger sister loved Kwek-Kwek and she couldn't stop herself from eating.

Lumpiang Shanghai

A Filipino birthday party is incomplete without lumpia, and the one they serve is gigantic.

Birthdays are a celebration of life. I am grateful for all the love and blessing I have received so far, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.