Fish and Chicks

Now that brother is already based in Cagayan de Oro, we are already feeling how small our family have become. Though sad, the situation can be considered a blessing in disguise because it has allowed us - mom, sister, and I - to be much closer than ever.

Apart from morning badminton, occasional zumba dancing, and doing some baking experiments at home, one thing we love to do is to eat out as it allows us to savor new flavors as well as enjoy well loved food. One time last week, we decided to drop by one of our favorite food places - Max's Restaurant - to enjoy their newest 4Sharing Meal.

Ever since it was launched, we already loved the Max's Restaurant 4Sharing Meals because it's enough for the family and we also get to save a few pesos instead of ordering separate dishes. The 4Sharing Meals changes every now and then, and for the first part of 2014, the 4Sharing Meal consists of:


1 Whole Fried Chicken
4 Glasses of Drinks
4 Cups of Rice

The poster indicated "4 Glasses of Pepsi," but we were served 4 Glasses of Iced Tea. We didn't bother asking them about it anymore as we appreciate both kinds of drinks.


The meal also comes with a big serving of Fish Fillet in Black Bean Sauce, something we tasted for the first time. We loved this dish as we are big fans of creamy dory fish, and that the sauce wasn't overly salty. Personally, I have a little phobia when it comes to dishes with fermented black beans because this ingredient tends to make dishes really salty. Good thing this had the right amount of seasoning, and we also appreciated that it wasn't drowning with sauce, because we want our breaded fish fillet crispy.

This Max's Restaurant 4Sharing Meal cost 799 pesos, giving diners a savings of as much as 221 pesos. It is available for dine in, take out, delivery and online ordering, but is not valid with any other ongoing promos and discount. Promo is good until February 26, 2014.

Crack the Code, #GRABtheGOLDatSM!

I wasn't one of the first ones to taste Magnum Ice Cream when it came out, but I was one of those who truly loved the product, and despite its high caloric content, I still treat myself to a serving every now and then. When brand ambassador Solenn Heussaff (whom I follow on Instagram) posted an image of a golden truck bearing the "M" symbol, I have already anticipated something new from Magnum Ice Cream.



Last Sunday - 09 February 2014, the newest Magnum Ice Cream flavor was launched. Eight SM Supermarkets and two SM Hypermarkets simultaneously unveiled the newest flavor -  Magnum Gold?!, a silky vanilla ice cream with sea salt caramel flavor, covered with two layers of Belgian Milk Chocolate (one in traditional brown color and the other one in gold). Of the ten participating SM Supermarket and Hypermarket branches, my sister and I attended the happenings at SM City North EDSA.


My sister is planning to bake Red Velvet Cupcakes for Valentine's Day and it required two ingredients we haven't used yet - distilled vinegar and buttermilk. Buttermilk was difficult to find, but we were thankful that SM Supermarket had distilled vinegar available. Seeing that it wasn't that expensive, we decided to buy it and buy other things as well. I am very happy with the way SM Supermarket is "expanding," by making more products available. Their baking section not only carries hard to source ingredients like nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashew nuts) and dessert toppers, they also sell different materials like pans, measuring cups, measuring spoon, and a lot more.

Check out was easy breezy, too, as shoppers with baskets and big carts had their own lanes, so that shoppers with less items bought won't have to be sandwiched in between shoppers with big carts. They also have lanes for senior citizens, with bench where the elders could sit as they wait their turn). Staff of SM Supermarket were friendly and efficient as well.

It was 3:00 in the afternoon when the event started, and the first 200 shoppers to complete their grocery shopping were given a golden ticket (that made me feel like Charlie in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) that allowed them to claim their free Magnum Gold?! and a chance to Crack the Code in taking home a mystery prize inside the vault.


I was the fourth in line. While waiting, my sister and I got to hear that the code had 6-digits, and immediately, my sister whispered the date - 02.09.14. I was a little apprehensive at first, as it seemed such a giveaway, but one thing I learned from school was to always trust your instincts. When the first shopper keyed in 02 as her first two digits, my sister and I felt scared as she might have the same number in mind, but when the vault didn't open, we knew we had our chance (she keyed in 021409 by the way). We weren't able to see what numbers the second and third shopper used, but when it was my turn, I still went on with the digits my sister and I agreed to use. After keying 0 and 2, I felt a sudden rush of excitement that I sort of forgot what would be the next number, so I had to pause and recollect my thoughts. When I was done with the six digits, the light turned green, and I knew I just cracked the cold. Hooray!

The prize inside the vault was an iPod Shuffle (2GB). It was a very nice prize to win, something I could use while walking and jogging in the morning, although I am thinking of giving it to my sister since it was her instinct that really cracked the code.


Soon after, more and more people lined up to get their free Magnum Gold?! as well as try their luck in cracking the code. For that day, each participating SM Supermarket and Hypermarket branches had five iPod Shuffle to give away, and I wasn't sure if there were other winners in this branch, but checking the hashtag #GRABtheGOLDatSM on Instagram made me see other winners who successfully cracked the code.


If you weren't able to participate in this uber fun event, you still have a chance to buy Magnum Gold?! at a discounted prize. From 10 February until 28 February 2014, you may avail 2 Magnum Gold?! for only 100 pesos at any SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and SaveMore branches. This offer is available nationwide, although at the moment, this golden treat is only available across Luzon. It will be available in Visayas and Mindanao starting 17 February.

Slurp Some Ramen at The Maya Kitchen This Saturday

Hello, hello!

It's been more than a month of no updates here on the blog, and I apologize for that. My netbook has gone bonkers, and I find it really difficult to update the blog using my phone as doing so drains the battery very easily (and it was difficult to tap the letters one by one as well). Right now, my sister is letting me use her netbook - provided my mom isn't using it. Hopefully, I can have that chance to use this gadget even for a few hours everyday so I can update all the blogs, that are now gathering cobwebs. :)

Anyway, weather lately has been weird - the other day it was super hot, and yesterday it was fairly cool. Regardless the temperature, a slurp of broth is always a comfort, and this Saturday, The Maya Kitchen is going to have a Ramen Craze Plus, as Japanese master chef Seiji Kamura will share his tips and secrets in creating wonderful ramen and other dishes like:

Miso Ramen, a chicken or pork broth with miso, lard and sesame for a thick, sweet and hearty soup. The thick, curly noodles are topped with spicy bean paste, butter and corn, leeks, onions, bean sprouts, ground pork, cabbage, sesame seeds, white pepper and chopped garlic.

Hiyashi Chuka, cold noodles served with thin omelette strips, boiled chicken, cucumber, boiled bean sprouts, tomatoes and pickled red ginger and wakame seaweeds.

Chachu or Japanese asado is tender, slow-cooked, marinated, stewed pork belly that can be served many ways. Chef Kamura will pepare Chachu Salad with Sesame Dressing.

Tonkatsu, pork cutlet breaded and deep fried until golden brown. Katsudon is the familiar rice bowl with panko coated pork cutlets with a sweet, savory sauce.

Chef Seiji Kamura has made the Philippines his home. He is regarded with high esteem in the local culinary scene and has been cookbook author, culinary consultant and chef demonstrator. He has penned two cookbooks with The Maya Kitchen entitled Japanese Cookbook for Filipino and Secrets of Japanese Cooking. He attended the Tokyo Cooking Academy and trained in Lyons, France.

To be a part of this event happening this Saturday - 15 February 2014 (9am - 1pm), contact The Maya Kitchen -  8921185 / 892-5011 local 108 / Mobile No. +63947 835 2290, or e-mail them - contactus@themayakitchen.com. You may also drop by The Maya Kitchen Culinary Center, located at the 8F Liberty Building, 835 A. Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road), Makati City.

For more information on other courses offerings, log on to www.themayakitchen.com.