All-Cheese Ensaimada Box and Sweet & Savory Sampler Ensaimada Box from Ensaimada Moment | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

I have a confession to make. I am not a fan of ensaimada, in general. I remember growing up; I just find it too sweet. So if I am in front of a bakery with lots of Filipino bread options, there are two bread I won't order (sorry, bread!) ensaimada and pan de coco.

With this premise, you might be thinking about why I ordered 8 ensaimada during Magkasama Christmas Market this year. Well, the description said there are savoury ensaimada and cheese ensaimada - who says no to cheese?

I am hoping Ensaimada Moment can change my general aversion to ensaimada.

Let's get started. We had all 8 ensaimada for breakfast today. 

All-Cheese Ensaimada Box from Ensaimada Moment

I reheated the All-Cheese Ensaimada Box for 30 seconds in the microwave, which melted some cheese on top.

All-Cheese Ensaimada from Ensaimada Moments

Because all the ensaimada looks the same, I couldn't identify which flavour is which (update: I found a flavor guide in Instagram, so I'll do my best to properly caption each ensaimada), but this is the first one I tried, and it's what I think is the Classic Ensaimada. It's the sweet one that made me dislike ensaimada, to begin with, but it's as good as it can go.

I am sure ensaimada lovers will absolutely go crazy with how delicious the ensaimada was.

The one above is the second one I tried. It's not as sweet as the first, but I am unsure of its flavours since the sweetness was still overpowering my tongue.

This is my favourite from the All-Cheese Ensaimada Box. There's still sweetness, but whatever cheese was used above counterbalances the sweetness with a bit of saltness. I surprisingly enjoyed it.

Salted Egg Ensaimada

The salted egg was shockingly my least favourite of the four. Because ensaimada is generally sweet, the salted egg became overpoweringly salty. I love it in bibingka, but not ensaimada.

Our breakfast would have ended here, but I felt hungry, so we decided to eat the remaining four ensaimada.

Sweet & Savory Sampler Ensaimada Box from Ensaimada Moments

I enjoyed the four ensaimada in this box more than the All-Cheese one, which is surprising. I reheated this one for 20 seconds to avoid the melted mess of the first one.

Sweet & Savoury Sampler Ensaimada Box

Pork Floss Ensaimada

I think this is pork floss, and I absolutely love it. It works well on top of the fluffy pastry.

Ube Halaya Ensaimada

I think this is ube, but I base it on the colour. It's a bit sweet but not overpowering, and I surprisingly enjoyed it.

I thought the ensaimada below and above would be as sweet as the one in the All-Cheese Box, but unexpectedly not. It's possible that the flavours just work better together, and one is not overpowering the other.

Overall, I'll order the Sweet & Savory Sampler Ensaimada Box again.

Week 11 of HelloFresh

HelloFresh is back in our home this week. We skipped last week because of the lack of exciting recipes.

Gochujang Sugar-Glazed Shrimp
Sticky, sweet and succulent shrimp are the stars of this lip-smacking stir-fry. We've paired them with crisp, sesame veggies to make this delicious dish one to remember!

I have a confession. I didn't add sugar to this meal because I just don't like adding sugar to any dish (unless I'm baking). Thankfully, the food came out delicious. The rice can absorb the sauce, and the shrimp were perfectly cooked.

Veggie Black Bean Curry with Lime-Coconut Quinoa
This delightful black bean curry lightly sweetened with veggies on a bed of coconut quinoa will hit all the right spots for those with a hankering for a South Asian-inspired veggie dish!

PRO Tip: Squeezing lime on top gives the dish that's extra oomph in flavour.

Ground Lamb Turkey Navarin Stew with Creamy Mashed Potatoes
This French-inspired turkey stew is packed with the aromatic trifecta of onions, celery, and carrots. Minced turkey and creamy mashed potatoes make it the perfect dish to satisfy your comfort food craving.

The navarin stew was too salty, but hubby said I should mix it with mashed potatoes and it works better that way.

Carb Smart Stir-Fried Beef with Green Beans and Peppers
This one-pan wonder brings dinner together in a flash! Ginger adds zesty zip to this stir-fry of hearty beef and plentiful veggies, with no starch in sight.

The simplest and easiest to cook among the ingredients today. It's also the only one we ate for one meal instead of splitting between  two meals. It's delicious too and will work well with rice. However, the description mentioned ginger but there's no ginger in the ingredients list or instructions. Not sure what's that about.

Assorted Bibingka Box from Bellie Bake | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

Bibingka is a staple rice cake in the Philippines during Christmas. I remember my mom and I went to Simbang Gabi (literally translates to "Night Mass") at 4:30 in the morning and we would always buy bibingka which we enjoyed at home for breakfast.

Where to get Bibingka in Vancouver?

Finding bibingka in Metro Vancouver is a challenge, but thankfully as part of Magkasama Christmas Market, Bellie Bake made available a box of assorted bibingka.

Assorted Bibingka Box from Bellie Bake

It includes the Classic Salted Egg and Cheese, Ube Macapuno, Coffee Milo Crumble, and Sapin-Sapin (Ube, Coconut, Langka (jackfruit)). We had all four for breakfast this morning. I reheated it in the air fryer (because I don't have an oven toaster) making sure to keep an eye out just in case it burns and they came out amazing.

Classic Salted Egg and Cheese Bibingka

Ube Macapuno

Coffee Milo Crumble

Sapin-Sapin (Ube, Coconut, and Langka)

We started breakfast with the Classic, followed by the Sapin-Sapin, then Ube Macapuno, and the Coffee Milo Crumble last.

I am surprised that the Sapin-Sapin is my favourite. I love the hint of langka and subtle taste of ube. I can't decide if I prefer the Classic or Coffee Milo Crumble more. I enjoyed the bitterness from the coffee on top of the latter, but the salted egg in the former is something I always enjoyed.

My least favourite is the Ube Macapuno. I guess the others are just too flavourful, so Ube Macapuno got left behind.. All of them are as soft as a bibingka should be. Reheating in the air fryer (or oven toaster if you have one) is always a good call.

Assorted Mamon from KayeBakes.ca | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

Mamon is my favourite Filipino bread. I love how soft, fluffy, and flavourful it usually is. During Magkasama Christmas Market 2021, KayeBakes.ca offers an assorted Mamon pack of six with three different flavours.

Three different Mamon flavours from KayeBakes.ca

Assorted Mamon Box from KayeBakes.ca

YAMmymon
Ube-licious take on a classic Filipino snack! Made with ube chiffon topped with whipped cream and ube cakecrumbs, this sweet and decadent snack will definitely have your taste buds dancing for joy.

The YAMmymon is soft and fluffy the way every excellent Mamon should be. I love how the whipped cream on top gives it that extra oomph.

 

We'll try the Yemamon and Mochanutmon tomorrow and update this post. :) Happy Sunday!

December 6, 2021 Update

We enjoyed the Yemamon and Mochanutmon today as meryenda. But, of course, I am biased and know that I'll love the Mochanutmon. Mocha is my favourite cake flavour, and topping it with nuts is just the perfect contrast in every bite: soft mocha cake and chewy nuts on top.

The Yemamon is not as sweet as one would expect, which is why I liked it as well.

Yemamon
Two favourites in one bite! Mamon is a snack-size light, fluffy chiffon cake, and yema is a custard-like candy, a sweet childhood favourite of every Filipino who is young or young at heart. KayeBakes' version is Mamon with Yema frosting topped with cheese. It's a match made in heaven.

Mochanutmon
It's a pillowy soft, Espresso infused chiffon cake with mocha frosting, topped with roasted nuts and caramel bits.

I can't wait to try more of Ate Kaye's baked goodies. KayeBakes.ca will be at "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" 2021.

Assorted Pandesal Box from La Meryenda | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

Pandesal is the most famous bread from the Philippines. Ask any Filipino about pandesal, and they would know precisely the soft bread you're referring to.

For Magkasama Christmas Market 2021, I ordered the Assorted Box from La Meryenda. It included three Cheesy Spamdesal, Cheesy Corned Beef, Ube Cheese Pandesal, and Cheese Bread.

Row 1: Cheese Bread
Row 2: Cheesy Spamdesak
Row 3: Cheesy Corned Beef
Row 4: Ube Cheese Pandesal

Assorted Pandesal Box from La Meryenda

We reheated the pandesal for 30-seconds in the microwave. 

I love the Cheese Bread the most. The spam was cheesier than the corned beef, and somehow the ube tasted saltier than the rest.

We'll reheat it using the air fryer tomorrow to see if it'll be a better way to reheat than a microwave.

December 6, 2021 Update

Reheating in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350 Fahrenheit made all the pandesal oh so delicious. You can change the time depending on your oven toaster. The bonus of using this than a microwave is the house smells like baked pandesal and top is crispy while the inside is soft.

I love the corned and spam pandesal and will gladly order both again for breakfast.

"Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" 2021 organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver

Event Name: Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!

Where is "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" 2021?

St. Patrick's Recreation Center at 2881 Main Street, Vancouver BC V5T 3G1

When is "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" 2021?

December 11, 2021, starting at 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Is it free to attend "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!"?

Yes! Admission is free. Proof of Vaccination is required upon entry at the Recreation Centre.

What to expect?

• Christmas Market
• Christmas carols
• Christmas parols (lanterns)

List of Vendors

New Vendors

Alala Books	Bayong Canada	Beatriz Boutique
Eat Kanadiyan	Gigil Clothing	Hablon Styles and Hues
Heritage Baking Vancouver	Link and Chain Jewelry	GMA Pinoy TV
Malaya Handcraft	Mabuhay Supermarket	Siopao de Langley
Summit Kids

Returning Partners

Bukobaba	Ensaimada Moment	Goldilocks
Kape	Kasama Chocolate	Kaye Bakes
Kiligraphy	La Glace	LBC
O Taho	Pampanga's Cuisine	Plato Filipino
The Khaykery	Max's Restaurant	Maligaya Travel
Philippine Airlines	Potato Corner	Shameless Buns
Tourmasters Travel	Win-Win Chick-N

List of Carolers

• Jono Hilario and Jonathan Tamondong
• Ed and Salve Dayao
• Kylie Fonacier
• Flavo (the Holy Cross Band)
• UPAABC
• Joey Albert

Activities for Kids

• Parol-Making Activity: Vancouver-based visual artists Bert Monterona and Mylene Paredes will be giving out a total of 125 parol kits and conducting parol-making lessons every hour beginning at 11 a.m.
• Pinoy Story Time: Ms. Erie Maestro of Tulayan-Bridging the Filipino Diaspora will lead the Pinoy Story Time at 1 p.m
• Pabitin (A traditional Filipino party game for children): There will be two sets of the Pabitin, one in the morning for kids aged 3 to 7 years old, and the other in the afternoon for kids 8 to 11

Philippine Airlines Raffle

Win a roundtrip ticket to Manila from Philippine Airlines Buy from participating food and non-food vendors, and visit service vendors to join the raffle. The winning ticket will be drawn at 3:45 PM. The winner is not required to be present during the raffle draw to be eligible to claim the prize.

Photo Booth

This year’s photo booth services will be provided by EM Sager Photography.

Donation Drive for BC Children's Hospital

Bing a new, unused, and unopened toy for boys or girls on the day of the event. A box for the toys will be set up under the Christmas tree on stage. The toy drive is being undertaken in partnership with the Table Tutors DJ Academy.

Filipino Community Mass

The Philippine Consulate General will be sponsoring a Filipino community mass at the St. Patrick’s Church at 4:30 p.m.

Please check the Philippine Consulate General website for more details.

Update!

After buying a lot of food, we left and enjoyed it at our apartment in South Granville. At around 4:00 PM, my mom received a call from my dad telling us that my younger sister won int he raffle. She's the only one who entered. I asked my dad how he found out, and he said that one of his friends are in the event and called him right away.

My younger sister won a Fiesta Pinapple Ham.

Sari Sari Mini Pies from Hapag Restaurant | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

The Sari-Sari (assorted) Mini Pies from Hapag Restaurant include Salted Caramel Yema Tarts, Banana Langka Turon Pie, and Buko (Coconut) Pie Pockets.

Buko (Coconut) Pies, Banana-Langka Turon Pie, and Salted Caramel Yema Tarts from

Salted Caramel Yema Tarts

I haven't had yema in so long, and I am glad that these tarts are just bite-size; otherwise, it would be too sweet and too much.

Banana Langka Turon Pie

One of my favourite Filipino desserts is turon (banana rolled in a thin spring roll wrapper, dusted with brown sugar, and deep-fried). The same ingredients on top of a pie crust surprisingly satisfy any turon craving I may have.

We haven't tried the buko pie. I'll do my best to update this post once we have enjoyed it.

Buko Pie update

The crust is flaky, and the pie is filled with coconut. Can I have more? If they offer the same thing next week, I'll be happy to order both pies again. It's so good.

Chocolate Crinkles from Craving Crave | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

Of all the items sold at Magkasama Christmas Market 2021, hubby only requested one, and that's chocolate crinkles. I am not a fan of chocolate crinkles. It was my younger sister who LOVES the cookie.

10 pieces Chocolate Crinkles from Craving Crave

This is our first time buying Chocolate Crinkles since arriving in Canada, and I love how the powdered sugar just goes everywhere. It's so fun to eat. The cookie itself was moist and soft. However, hubby said it's not as sweet as the one back in the Philippines.

Check out Chocolate Crinkles and Macarons from Craving Crave.

Taho from Sago To Go | Magkasama Christmas Market 2021

The Christmas season is truly here! We picked up our Magkasama Christmas Market haul at Shameless Buns today. We ordered many items from many different vendors, and the first one we enjoyed was Taho from Sago Togo.

Sago Togo has been on my "radar" for a year now, but they're all the way in New Westminster, so I am incredibly pleased to have the chance to enjoy their taho.

Two 20 oz-cup of Taho

Growing up, taho is served warm, perfect for breakfast. I even remember buying taho from the manong before heading to the office in Makati when I was working at the RCBC building. Because I want my taho warm, I decided to put it in a microwaveable bowl and reheat it for one and a half minutes.

Taho from Sago Togo

It was not as sweet as the one from the Philippines, and I think that's awesome for health reasons. Hubby was looking for more arnibal (syrup). It might be fun to get each component in separate containers and have us (customers) "assemble" it, like how ramen is delivered with noodles and soup in individual packaging when delivered.

Lunch from Shameless Buns

Today has finally arrived! It's the day we pick up our Magkasama Christmas Market goodies, but before I enjoy and write about each store, here's a little post about Shameless Buns and what we ordered today.

It'd be a crime if I went to Shameless Buns without ordering my favourite Sinigang Fries and trying new things.

Lunch from Shameless Buns

Limited Time: The Double "Spamwich"

Imagine the famous KFC double down (two boneless fried chicken as buns instead of well, buns), but rather, the "Spamwich" are two slices of Spam covered and fried with panko. Between the panko-covered Spam are spicy mayo, chicken adobo, caramelized onions, chipotle cheese sauce, sriracha mayo, crispy shallots, and green onions.

The Double "Spamwich" Combo with Sinigang Fries

Based on the description and as expected, it was salty. I have a pretty low salt tolerance (that's why my favourite chips are the less salt ones - I know, I'm weird). 

Closer look of The Double "Spamwich."

Up close and personal with The Double "Spamwich."

Don't get me wrong, the crispy outside and salty Spam would be impressive with rice (because that's how we roll, my Filipino blood is too pure 🤣 or has too much rice in it). Or even champorado (sweet chocolate rice porridge) or even between pandesal that crispy panko-breaded Spam will be excellent. But with adobo (which has soy sauce), it has become one-note. The "Spamwich" might also be good with the Jackfruit Coconut or Embutido inside; both have a sweeter flavour profile than adobo.

Main Squeeze: Jacked Up Coconut

With the Jacked Up Coconut today, I am halfway through trying all the Shameless Buns Main Squeeze. I said this before, I love their version of ginataang langka. I'll be happy to buy it as is and enjoy it at home with rice. I surprisingly prefer the Jacked Up Coconut with the pandesal than on top of the fries.

Jacked Up Coconut
Jackfruit Coconut Adobo (Ginataang Langka), garlic calamansi aioli, tomato, green onion, and fried garlic

This is my favourite Main Squeeze (so far - will update when I tried the adobo, tapa, and embutido ones), followed by The Little Sausage, then Sir Spam-A Lot.

Side Chicks: Fili-Pino Cheeze Steak Fries

Aha! That's why the fries seem flavourful. It's their Palabok Fries topped with Tapa (Marinated Fries). It's delicious, especially the bite covered in their Chipotle Cheeze Sauce, but the Jacked Up Coconut Fries is still my favourite. I will order that every time, but I am on a "quest" to try everything on their menu and decide which one I like best.

Fili-Pino Cheeze Steak Fries
Crispy AF Palabok Fries, Tapa (Marinated Beef), caramelized onions, chipotle cheese sauce, chicharon, sriracha mayo, and green onion.

We haven't tried two remaining Side Chicks - the Adobo Fries and Sausage Party.

#TimBiebs SOLD OUT Lunch from Tim Horton's

Today is my first day off with the whole goal of running errands. I woke up an hour later than usual,, which is such a luxury.

The day started with breakfast at home, then to a nearby LifeLabs for a blood sample. Afterwards, I had an 11:00 AM appointment to get my haircut after 14 months at Suki in South Granville, but I had 10 minutes to spare before that,, so I spent that time in line at RBC to get two rolls loonies for the laundry.

I love my hair, but I don't show my face or upload my picture in Smooch Food. So, before heading home, we went to Tim Horton's to buy and try #TimBiebs and whatever Dream Donuts they have available. Unfortunately, both are sold out, so we ordered our usual chilli and two farmer's market wrap for lunch because there's a promo.

Happy lunch from Tim Horton's

I will make a new post as soon as we have tried a new Dream Donut and/or the TimBiebs. Happy Friday!

Reunion Holiday Dinner at The Wicklow Pub

It was cold but surprisingly clear skies this evening in Vancouver when I met some of my former colleagues. Since moving to Canada six years ago, I don't have any friends, and the best place to make a social (and professional) connection is at work. That's why every year (except last year), I organize a reunion dinner around December to gather everyone and catch up.

I had a fantastic time catching up with my friends about career, recruitment, housing, mortgages, cryptocurrency, falling buildings, even the Marcoses. I laughed so hard at the jokes and banters, and I was food coma from the delicious food.

Super thank you, The Wicklow Pub, for hosting us. They allowed us to use the private room exclusively, meaning we could talk and laugh as loudly as possible. I miss these guys and the fun we have at work, but I am more than happy to keep organizing these events to see each other once (maybe twice) a year.

For tonight, I finished the nachos myself and got peer pressured to order yam fries because everyone has it.

Nachos

Yam Fries

I am sleepy now, so I'll edit and maybe add more details tomorrow. Maybe.

Thank God for giving me beautiful friends in Canada and keeping them all safe and healthy in the middle of the pandemic.

• May A, Jo, and Ja find employment and work soon in a place where they'll be appreciated and supported.
• May everyone else continue to grow and bless their current employers.
• Keep them and their families safe, healthy, and happy today and every day for the rest of their lives.

Bingsu from Sulmida Snow Dessert Cafe

Bingsu is something we always see Mike Chen (Strictly Dumplings) eat in his videos when in South Korea. After our ramen dinner at Yaguchiya Ramen, we had dessert from Sulmida Snow Dessert Cafe.

Green Tea and Red Bean Sulmida Mini Bingsu Cups

It was raining this evening, but the cafe is so warm that enjoying the Bingsu is such a comfort.

Korean Dessert Cafe

What is Bingsu?

"Bingsu, sometimes written as bingsoo, is a Korean shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings that may include chopped fruit, condensed milk, fruit syrup, and red beans. The most common variety is pat-bingsu, the red bean shaved ice." - Wikipedia

Dinner at Yaguchiya Ramen

Happy Tuesday! Our family doctor is near Metrotown, which means every appointment is an opportunity to explore the different restaurants in the area.

It was raining all day, which is expected in Vancouver, but we usually just stay home most days. However, the trip going all the way to Burnaby felt so much longer than it really was. The rain, traffic, and everything was such a great reminder why hubby and I decided and wanted to stay in our current neighbourhood close to work, groceries, church, and almost everything we need - except a family doctor, apparently.

It's not all bad. We would grab groceries at The Canadian Superstore and decided to walk the crosswalk, and the first restaurant we saw was Yaguchiya Ramen. I was hesitant at first because the restaurant looked small outside, but it's a decent size inside, and it's well-lit as well. They also checked vaccination cards, and they refused a couple who failed to download their vaccination card. The host recommended they order takeout instead. Thankfully they did without fuss and drama.

Ramen

I ordered my usual Miso Ramen, and it was delicious but not as impressive as the Yaguchiya Special Ramen which hubby ordered. I kept getting a spoonful of broth from his bowl.

Yaguchiya Special Ramen
Pork and chicken broth, three pork chashu, seasoned egg, spinach, roasted seaweed and leeks with shoyu base.

Miso Ramen
Pork and chicken broth, pork chashu, bean sprouts, corn, and chives with miso base.

Sides

For the sides, I ordered Gyoza and Yaguchiya Bun. The Gyoza is as expected from a ramen shop - it didn't taste like it's been in the freezer forever. I love the fluffy buns. I ordered two, but they only have one left, which we had to share.

Yaguchiya Bun (braised pork belly bun) and 5 pieces of Gyoza

I was already telling hubby that we need to come back and try the other ramen when we're in the area again.

Cool History

Here is a short history of Yaguchiya Ramen.

Yaguchiya Ramen is an iekei style of ramen that originated from Yokohama, Japan, in 1994. In 1997, the second restaurant opened in Hiratsuka City. Finally, the 3rd location opened 20 years later (2017) in Burnaby, BC, Canada!

It's been so long since I've had ramen inside a restaurant, and it's such a comforting food and meal. Thank you, Lord, for the beautiful experience.