Celebrating Pi Day with Pies from the grocery

Pi Day this year is a little different for hubby and me. We decided to not order from restaurants for 40 days starting Ash Wednesday as part of our fasting. The only loophole will be eating with people outside our household, which essentially means with the family in Richmond.

That said, we couldn't order pies. Thankfully, there are frozen pies in our local grocery, so we decided to buy three different savoury pies.

Aussie Pie Guy

We got two different flavours of pies from the Aussie Pie Guy brand.

Aussie in its packaging

Aussie baked in an air fryer because I don't have an oven.

Salmon Pie

Salmon Pie from Aussie

Chef Fenrick

Frozen Chicken Pot Pie from Chef Fenrick

Baked Chicken Pot Pie from Chef Fenrick

Of all the three pies, I enjoyed the Chicken Pot Pie the most. I kinda wished I grabbed more Chef Fenrick pies. There's always Pi Day next year!

Chocolate Hazelnut Éclair Dream and Sea Salted Caramel Dream Dream Donuts from Tim Hortons

Happy Thursday! It's also National Lego Day! I ordered a "4 Privet Drive" Harry Potter Lego Set and got two free items. Unfortunately, FedEx didn't ring our doorbell or gave us a call when it tried to deliver it to our place, so we had to pick it up at the closest FedEx pickup point. Since it's National Lego Day, we decided to pick it up today. We also decided to grab donuts from Tim Hortons before heading home.

Hubby requested that I get any limited edition donuts that they have. Looking at the menu, they're promoting the "Dream Donuts," and I got both Chocolate Hazelnut Éclair Dream and Sea Salted Caramel Dream.

Chocolate Hazelnut Éclair Dream

I enjoyed both donuts. It's surprisingly not stale. It's soft, and the filling inside the Éclair is delicious. I am willing to get it again.

Sea Salted Caramel Dream

The Sea Salted Caramel Dream is good, but not as delicious as the eclair. At least, it wasn't stale like the Dream Donuts from last year.

Chocolate Hazelnut Éclair Dream and Sea Salted Caramel Dream

Happy National Lego Day!

New Year's Eve Donuts from Lee's Donuts

Our last day of 2020 started with house cleaning; we wanted to welcome the New Year with a clean house. Then, we did our errands outside. Thankfully, it wasn't raining, and halfway through being outside, it was only drizzling.

We started our errands with a walk to a donation bin near the local fire station and dropped off donations. We don't do spring cleaning. We do our cleaning after Boxing Day. Afterwards, we went to Granville Island Public Market to order half a dozen donuts from Lee's Donuts. There's a long line, but it moved at a consistent phase, so we're good. People are also social distancing and wearing masks.

I can't remember all the flavour I picked. LOL
I do remember chocolate, maple, matcha, and peanut.

They are all so delicious, especially after putting them in the microwave for 20 seconds. The doughnuts become warm and moist. Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve Dinner from The Pie Hole

Growing up, one of the practices or superstitions we always hear is how you should have round fruits at the table to welcome the New Year. I remember we will always have grapes, oranges, apples, among others, at our table alongside the usual media noche (New Year's Eve Dinner), which almost always includes Lechon.

Hubby said we should continue the tradition by having round or circular things at our table. Last 2017, we ordered pizza and Timbits. This year we decided on pie and Filipino snacks from SM Delights.

NYE Dinner from The Pie Hole

I ordered four different savoury pies from The Pie Hole. I made the mistake of ordering a frozen chicken pot pie (#facepalm). We don't have an oven. As if the heavens knew that I made a mistake, I ordered an air fryer night of the 29th, and it arrived the following day, which allowed us to cook the frozen pie.

Left to right: Spinach and Feta Pie, Chicken Pot Pie,
Beef Bourguignon Pie, and Gruyere, Leek & Potato Pie

Chicken Pot Pie after baking in an air fryer

Gruyere, Leek & Potato Pie

I love the crust in both pies. A note for future self - I prefer chicken pot pie over gruyere, leek, and potato pie. I still haven't tried the other two pies, and we'll update this post once I did.

January 3, 2021 Update:

We ate the two other pies yesterday, and I love the Spinach and Feta Pie over the Beef Bourguignon Pie.

Beef Bourguignon Pie

Spinach and Feta Pie

Below is my preference list for future me:

1. Spinach and Feta Pie
2. Chicken Pot Pie
3. Beef Bourguignon Pie
4. Gruyere, Leek & Potato Pie

The crust is perfect for all the pies, though. I think my brother would enjoy any of their pies.

Holiday Cookies and Yule Log Cake from PICA Chef

I thought of ordering from Arts to Bakes or Kaye Bakes for our Christmas Eve dinner desserts, but since it's just hubby and me and we have a small fridge - it won't fit a big cake.

I checked PICA's website to see if I can pre-order any of their holiday cake like I did last year. Online shopping for cake led to me buying an Assorted Holiday Cookie Tin, which is more expensive than the cake.

Classic Chocolate Espresso Yule Log

Classic Chocolate Espresso Yule Log

I love the espresso buttercream on the yule log cake. It's so delicious! The size is also perfect for two people, and we'll be able to finish it in a couple to three days.

First "layer" of assorted cookies - Linzer, Sable, Crescent, Chocolate Dipped, and Christmas Tree Matcha Cookies

All our assorted cookies - Linzer, Sable, Crescent, Chocolate Dipped, and Christmas Tree Matcha Cookies

I surprisingly enjoyed all the cookies, even the Linzer! I was so sure I'll dislike the Linzer, but I liked it as well. The matcha does not have a strong matcha flavour but still enjoyable. The crescent is not overly sweet, while the sable and the chocolate-dipped cookie is perfect.

Assorted Holiday Cookie Tin

Yay for supporting PICA. Merry Christmas, Lily and team!

Surprise Steamed Buns from Bao Bakery

My parents, siblings, and I have a group chat. My sister just sent a menu of Chinese restaurants where they're going to order for their Christmas evening dinner. I responded with "Gusto ko ng siopao" (I want siopao).

Siopao is what we Filipino calls a pork (or chicken) steamed buns. My mom called so early in the morning asking if we want it. They'll drive all the way to Joyce Street (East Side of Vancouver) from Richmond and bring us a box of siopao (we live West Side of Vancouver). Parents are the best!

I have been craving it for months now and I can't believe it's here! Bao Bakery have delicious, freshly made steamed buns. 

Siopao, literally meaning "hot bun", is the Philippine cuisine indigenized version of the Cantonese steamed bun called cha siu bao. - Wikipedia

When I was younger, I love and would only eat asado siopao, but now I only eat bola-bola and find the asado too sweet. I am growing old! 

Half dozen of Chicken Deluxe (Bola-Bola) Steamed Buns

Bao Bakery

Yay for Siopao Friday!

Lunch from Mean Poutine

We ran errands in Downtown today. For lunch, I asked hubby if there's anything he would like; he said that since we're celebrating his third year in Canada, we should eat Canadian food. The only dish that came to mind is poutine. There are a handful of poutine places in Downtown; Smoke's Poutinerie is our usual go-to, but they were closed, so we decided to try Mean Poutine.

Mean Supreme

Mean Supreme - Crispy fries, brown gravy, fresh cheese curds, certified Angus roast beef, double smoked bacon, grilled onions & peppers and mushrooms

He picked Mean Supreme, while I had Philly Cheese Steak. The best part about both? The certified Angus roast beef. It's so good! The fries were crispy too; the gravy was a bit salty for my liking, though. However, the serving is huge!

Philly Cheese Steak - Crispy fries, brown gravy, fresh cheese curds, certified Angus roast beef, mushrooms, sautéed onion & peppers 

I am willing to give it another try - maybe order something else. However, between the two poutine, the Mean Supreme is better than the Philly Cheese Steak.

Ice Cream from Seaside Scoop

After a complete meal at Olive Garden, we drove to White Rock and walked around the pier. Before heading home, we decided to eat ice cream from Seaside Scoop.

I had my usual flavour, Cappuccino while hubby had pistachio.

My 1-scoop of cappuccino ice cream in a cup with a waffle cone on top

Hubby's 1-scoop pistachio ice cream in a cup with waffle cone on top

Yay for Saturday!

Lunch from Win Win Chick-N

I love fried chicken and I'm trying to decide for myself which one is the best in Metro Vancouver.

Today, I finally had a chance to try Win Win Chick-N from their branch in Steveston, Richmond BC.

Juicy and Crispy Fried Chicken from Win Win Chick-N

Look at all the black pepper in the chicken skin.

10-pc Fried Chicken from Win-Win Chick-N

We took it home to enjoy for snacks and dinner. The chicken was perfectly spiced and crispy. The breading is not as thick as Church's Chicken or KFC. It's delicious.

Win Win Chick-N Storefront

My number one favourite chicken is still LA Chicken, then Hi-Five Chicken. I'm still debating whether I like Win Win more than Juke. Hmmm.

What's your favourite source of fried chicken in Metro Vancouver?

Sweets from Outpost Mini Donut Company

Yay! A fantastic place to get mini donuts in Metro Vancouver is in Steveston, Richmond BC. It's freshly baked, soft, and delicious.

Assorted Mini Donuts from Outpost Mini Donut Company

Cute Donut Counter

Where do you get your mini donuts to fix?

Lunch from Pajo's at Garry Point Park

It's a long weekend! We're sleeping over at my parents, and we decided to spend a couple hours eating in Steveston.

We started our food trip to Steveston with fish and chips at the famous Pajo's.

One of Each Fish (Pacific Wild Cod, Pacific Wild Salmon, and Alaskan Wild Halibut) & Fries $26

Pacific Wild Salmon

Order Counter

It's such a beautiful day to be here!

Dinner from Sushivan Japanese Restaurant Vancouver

Happy Saturday! For dinner tonight, we went to pick up food from Sushivan Japanese Restaurant along Granville Street (at West Broadway).

Alien
Deep-fried asparagus, cream cheese, smoked salmon, unagi, crab meat, and massago

If you've been reading my post (or if you search for Sushivan in this blog), you will notice that I am going through their Special Roll. I have tried the Alaska special roll and Awesome special roll.

Ika Karage
Deep-fried squid

Beef Teriyaki Box with Miso Soup
Beef Teriyaki, 4 pieces California Roll, Appy Tempura, Salad, and Rice

Korean Style Ramen with Chicken

If you search my blog for "Sushivan", I always order Korean Style Ramen. When I crave for spicy Korean noodles I go to Sushivan.

Tim Hortons' Caramel Iced Capp and Starbucks' Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino®

It's Pokemon Go Fest 2020 weekend which means we're going to spend some hours out in our local park to enjoy the sun, catch Pokemon, and spin Pokestops.

Starbucks' Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappucino

Last Saturday (day 1 of Go Fest), we decided to grab a venti Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino® from Starbucks after staying in a nearby park for a couple hours.

Starbucks Counter

Inside Starbucks

Starbucks Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino®

Tim Hortons' Caramel Iced Capp

Today (day 2 of Go Fest), we decided to grab a large Caramel Iced Capp from Tim Hortons and potato wedges. We enjoyed it in a nearby local park.

Tim Hortons Counter

Inside Starbucks

Caramel Iced Capp

Comparison

I like the one from Starbucks more and only because of the crunchy thing they put on top. You cannot go wrong with either drink because they're both essentially caramel shake.

Actually, Tim Hortons has a seasonal Salted Caramel Iced Capp which I last saw two years ago. They don't serve it during summer anymore.

Lunch from Vera's Burger Shack

After picking a spot and settling down at Kits Beach, my youngest sister, hubby, and I walked to look for a food source. We walked along Cornwall Avenue to see what's open. We decided to buy lunch from Vera's Burger Shack.

What to get from Vera' Burger Shack?

I got Vera's Burger. I didn't understand what the cashier was saying so I just asked him to put Vera's sauce in it, instead of everything (tomato, lettuce, etc.). #facepalm

Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries, Onion Rings, French Fries, and Chicken Strips

I love Romer's Burger, but the meat in Vera's Burger is so much better.

Hubby got the grilled chicken. I made a terrible choice of not putting anything in it. It's probably good for our "diet", but of course, without any sauce, it's dry. The chicken and bun are still delicious, but it could have been better if only I asked them to put everything in it.

Vera Burger

Vera Burger

My youngest sister picked chicken strips. It was surprisingly good. It's well-seasoned with great flavour.

We enjoyed our lunch near Kits Beach under a tree on a blanket. It was great!

Breakfast from COBS Bread Bakery

Sunday! I woke up to my mom's message that they'll pick us up so we can go to Kitsilano Beach. An hour later, we're heading to McDonald's along 4th Avenue (at Balsam Street). We really don't want to buy from McD's, instead, we saw the COBS Bread Bakery across the street and decided to quickly buy croissants from there.

I love this paper bag!

I got a couple Plain Croissants for my youngest sister, a Ham & Cheese Croissant and a Spinach & Feta Croissant for hubby and myself.

Ham and Cheese Croissant

Happy Sunday!