Food

Filipinos have a lengthy Yuletide tradition of serving ham throughout the holidays. Classic, cozy, and beautifully glazed Christmas hams enhance the festive season, and no Filipino household’s holiday meal is complete without Mekeni Christmas Ham. Mekeni Christmas Hams are a holiday favorite not just because of their exquisite taste, but also because of their versatility. Any of Mekeni’s Christmas Hams can be used to make a dozen amazing meals!

You may believe that upgrading Christmas hams requires a lot of time and work in the kitchen, but there are some excellent recipes that are simple to prepare. Try these Mekeni Christmas Hams-based recipes!

Try these simple ham recipes for your loved ones

Mekeni Shredded Christmas Ham with Honey Glaze Pineapple

Honey pineapple glaze basically complements any type of meat, and it is typically used to level up any Christmas ham. Adding pineapple’s tanginess and honey’s subtle sweetness to your smoky and tasty Christmas ham will surely hit the spot! Check this shredded ham recipe with honey pineapple glaze recipe by Mekeni and excite your taste buds!

Ingredients:

• 500g Mekeni Deli Premium Ham, cooked and shredded
• ¾ cup of honey
• 1 cup pineapple juice (fresh or canned)
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• ¼ cup of water
• 6-8 flour tortillas
• shredded lettuce
• pineapple chunks
• salsa

Procedure:

1. In a saucepan, bring honey and pineapple juice to a boil.
2. While waiting for the pineapple and honey mixture to boil, mix cornstarch and water in a separate bowl. Whisk until smooth.
3. Add the cornstarch mixture to the honey and pineapple mixture. Stir constantly until it thickens. Set aside.
4. Shred the cooked 500g Mekeni Deli Premium Ham and toss with the honey pineapple glaze. Then, set aside.
5. Heat a pan, then warm the flour tortilla pieces according to the package instructions.
6. Assemble the wrap by putting the shredded Mekeni Deli Premium Ham with honey pineapple glaze at the center of the tortilla.
7. Add shredded lettuce, pineapple chunks, and salsa as desired, then wrap it up.
8. Serve it on a plate.

Mekeni Holiday Bell Pepper Cups

Stuffed bell peppers are not just enticing to eat as these are also healthy and easy to assemble. With only just a few ingredients you can find in your pantry, you can make this healthy rainbow of sweet red, yellow, green, and orange bell peppers. To level up this bright and colorful dish, use Mekeni Piña Ham for that subtle sweet and tangy kick!

Ingredients:

• 250g Mekeni Piña Ham, shredded
• 4 bell peppers, any color
• ¼ cup yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 medium-sized eggs
• ¼ cup cheddar cheese
• salt and pepper to taste
• cilantro for garnish (optional)

Procedure:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Coat a baking pan with cooking spray. You can use a muffin tray to ensure that the bell peppers will stand.
2. In a saucepan, add water enough to cover the peppers. Bring to a boil.
3. While waiting for the water to boil, cut the top part of the bell pepper. Remove the seeds and membranes then, rinse.
4. Put the bell peppers in the boiling water for about 2 minutes, then drain.
5. In a pan, sauté onion, garlic, and the shredded Mekeni Piña Ham. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Put the bell peppers in the tray or baking pan then stuff it with the ham mixture, at least half filled. Add cheese if you want a gooey texture.
7. Crack the egg in each pepper cup and season with salt and pepper. You may add more cheese if you prefer.
8. Bake until egg whites are set and cheese is melted and lightly browned.
9. Garnish it with cilantro.
10. Serve while the bell pepper cups are still hot.

Mekeni Christmas Ham Fried Rice

Hams and fried rice are a perfect combination. Tired of having Christmas ham leftovers? Try this Mekeni Christmas Ham Fried Rice recipe. It is so easy to make plus, it will surely be a hit among the family members.

Ingredients:

• 250g Mekeni Pear-Shaped Ham, sliced into pieces
• 3 medium eggs, beaten
• 2 tbsp oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 pcs medium shrimps, peeled and deveined
• ½ cup frozen peas
• ½ cup frozen carrots
• ½ cup frozen corn
• 200g pineapple chunks
• 2 tbsp turmeric powder
• 6 cups cooked rice

Procedure:

1. Beat eggs in a bowl until smooth. Then, fry it in a hot pan. Set aside.
2. In the same pan, sauté the Mekeni Pear-Shaped Ham for 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
3. Heat a large-sized wok and add the remaining oil and butter. Sauté the garlic then add the shrimps, peas, carrots, corn, pineapple chunks, and turmeric powder.
4. Once the shrimps are cooked, add the cold rice to the wok. Continue sauteing until rice is warmed through. Add salt to taste.
5. While the rice is being warmed through, slice the fried eggs, and mix them with the fried rice.
6. Add the Mekeni Pear-Shaped Ham pieces to the rice.
7. Serve while hot.

Mekeni is your help when it comes to making the festive season richer and even more meaningful. Mekeni’s family-favorite Christmas Hams—Mekeni Gold Premium Ham, Mekeni Deli Premium Ham,  Mekeni Piña Ham, Mekeni Pear-Shaped Ham, and Mekeni Brick Ham  —can truly #TimplangAtin your holiday feasts. Mekeni Christmas Hams are available via Mekeni Home2Home Delivery, Mekeni Food Outlets, and local wet markets.

Excited to celebrate this Christmas with friends and family to eat together, although big, chaotic, and fun face-to-face gatherings are put on hold. Thanks to McDonald’s found a way to brighten up the festivities even when celebrated apart.

This feature, exclusively available in the McDelivery App, can simultaneously deliver favorite McDo meals in multiple locations! McDelivery Share to Many, you can bond with friends and family over your McDonald’s favorites in the comfort and safety of your homes and despite being miles apart.

Whether you want to send your virtual guests individual menu items, Happy Meal orders for the little ones, or even food bundles via Holiday Group offers for a big feast, the McDelivery Share to Many feature will make sure the meals will arrive at everyone’s houses safe and ready to be devoured!

With the McDelivery Share to Many you can now celebrate and share the holiday cheer with family, friends, and colleagues by sharing and sending their favorite McDo meals, Head on over to the McDelivery website or download the App now through the App Store or Google Play, and make sure to follow McDonald’s on Facebook for more McDo announcements!

Take some inspiration from the “Casa Mamas,” Aliza Goco, Carmel Villongco, Gin Panlilio, Kat Maderazo, and Leona Panutat, who just enjoyed their Friendsgiving with Subway!

The Casa Mamas are a bunch of hodophiles and travel junkies. These mothers all reside in the same area and see each other at communal events such as mass. They’ve chosen to carpool to and from events because they all live in the same neighborhood.

They got to know one another more and found out that they’ve had a lot in common. They then started taking turns hosting breakfast, and the rest is history.

In this short gathering #CasaMamasxSubway, the Casa Mamas teaches us about friendships and how they can enrich our lives in so many different ways. Good friends can teach us about ourselves and challenge us to be EXTRA better.

They celebrate your successes and stay with you through encouragement and camaraderie even as times get tough. But to maintain such friendship, people must be willing to create a safe space for discussion and listen to different perspectives. #CasaMamasLoveSubway

There’s a lot to be thankful about this year, even if the pandemic has significantly disrupted our lives. So tune in and subscribe for more family, friendship, love, travel, and fashion advice by the Casa Mamas!

The NEW Subway® Italian B.M.T.™ Plus! With More Cheese & Meat!

Friendsgiving is meant to be celebrated with the people closest to you. And nothing brings people together than great food that’s loaded with more meat and cheese in Subway®’s Italian B.M.T.™ Plus!

Subway is offering their Italian B.M.T.TM Plus with ala carte prices starting at Php 165 for a 6-inch sub, Php 320 for a footlong, Php 175 for a 10-inch wrap, and Php 260 for a salad for a limited time only till January 18, 2022.

Order today and enjoy a more cheesy and meaty Italian B.M.T.TM Plus version of everyone’s favorite! This applies to both dine-in and take-out orders. During this pandemic, Subway® is concerned about your health and safety. This new menu item is available for delivery via GrabFood or Facebook Messenger BOTTY www.m.me/SubwayPhilippines. Takeout is also available from any Subway®

In partnership with Reach Out Feed Philippines, Mega Global Corporation expanded its CSR program Mega Bigay Sustansya to 15 communities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The feeding program benefited 881 children nationwide.

Mega Global, which first initiated the third year of its Mega Bigay Sustansya (MBS) program in July 2021, persists to increase the nutrition of children nationwide as the program has now provided a total of 66,694 meals to 881 children in 15 communities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, recognizing its role in nation-building as one of the country’s providers of food staples and honoring its malasakit core value.

The 60-day program, which was organized in collaboration with Reach Out Feed Philippines, sought to help children in six provinces. The feeding program will operate until November 2021, benefiting a total of 881 children ages 4 to 12 who will get daily meals delivered to their homes. At least one sardine meal was included in each day’s meal, prepared with Mega Global’s nutrient-dense high-quality sardines.

“Our food products are considered to be one of Filipinos’ staple foods. As such, we recognize our role in providing affordable, accessible and nutrition-filled meals to communities, especially those who need them the most,” Marvin Tiu Lim, Chief Growth and Development Officer of Mega Global said. “Our MBS program was created not only to give them proper nutrition during the program, but also provide them opportunities to sustain it through our leave-behind materials that will help parents provide nutritious meals to their family that is abot-kaya.”

Initial evaluation of the kids show that 79 percent of the beneficiaries have gained a minimum of one kilo up to five kilos after 36 feeding days. These kids are the ones who are religiously present during feeding days, and the ones who are being consistently supported by their parents by getting the meals for the kids and motivating them to finish them.

Children ages 4-12 are given house-to-house delivery of meals every day. Upon evaluating the children, results showed that 79 percent of the beneficiaries have gained a minimum of one kilo up to five kilos after 36 feeding days.

Apart from Mega Global and ROFP, the barangay officials and dedicated volunteers of the communities play a big role in the implementation of the project. The barangay officials ensure that the manpower for the program is enough, and that they remain safe during the distribution. As for the volunteers, they dedicate themselves to creating delicious meals such as Sardines Lumpia, Miswa with Sardines, Tortang Sardines, etc., everyday, rain or shine.

Mega Global introduced the Mega Bigay Sustansya (MBS) initiative in 2019 with malasakit as its core value to enable children fight malnutrition. Now in its third year, the organization has a broader vision that will affect an increasing number of Filipinos. Because of the extended program duration and broader reach, the program continues to have a beneficial impact on the lives of children all throughout the country. Mega Global has worked with Adarna House to establish a recipe notebook that families may use as a reference for choosing economical but healthy food, taking into mind the program’s long-term viability and the improved conditions of its beneficiaries.

Mega Global intends to expand its Mega Bigay Sustansya program in the coming years, extending out to an increasing number of Filipinos in need and distributing the gift of nutrition one sardine can at a time.

SubwayNEW ®’s and festive Mint Choco Chip Cookies will bring some little holiday happiness to your table! Until January 18, 2022, get five (5) delectable goodies for only Php 125.

The NEW Mint Choco Chips Cookies come in a festive Christmas Cookie Box! It includes a blank message card on which you can write your own seasonal greetings for family, friends, coworkers, and loved ones!

1-pc Mint Choco Chip cookies are only Php 35, 3-pcs are only Php 85, 6-pcs are only Php 175, and 12-pcs are only Php 350. Cookies purchased in quantities of three, six, or twelve can be blended with other cookie tastes. This special offer is only good for dine-in and takeout orders. This item is not available for delivery.

Now is the time to place your order and send a short and thoughtful note together with a tasty dessert that will make the recipient smile!

The most delightful season of the year has here, and it’s more crucial than ever for parents to provide their children with a memorable holiday experience!

McDonald’s Happy Meal features Pokémon toy collectibles which includes eight different designs that will help children become masters of the jungle through exploring and training activities! With this new Pokemon-themed Jungle Survival Kit, holiday celebrations can be much more creative by setting up an indoor camp that families can explore and enjoy. This will not just inspire curiosity and wonder, but will also let the kids exercise their practical skills with a unique indoor camping experience!

The Pokemon-themed Happy Meal is also a perfect gift for the young ones, young-at-heart, and Pokémon fans because it can be purchased with McDo’s festive, ready-to-gift, and limited edition Christmas-themed Happy Meal Boxes. Surprise nieces, nephews, and even friends with the fun Pikachu-themed toy set this coming Christmas.

To echo the beloved anime’s slogan, encourage kids to “catch ‘em all” and collect all eight designs for the full indoor camping experience! Through the Add-On promo, customers can even get a bigger bang for their buck when they add only P50 to any meal to avail of an additional Burger McDo Happy Meal with a Pokémon toy collectible!

Inspire youngsters to life and survival skills by having them camp indoors with McDonald’s NEW Happy Meal, which includes a Pokemon-themed Jungle Survival Kit! With the Happy Meal Add-On Promo, you may even be able to obtain a good value. McDonald’s Dine-In, Take-Out, Drive-Thru, or McDelivery are all available right now!

To know more, visit the McDelivery website or app, and stay up to speed on any McDo announcements by liking McDonald’s Philippines on Facebook. 

A lot of gatherings and endless celebration so it’s time to raise yuletide spirits and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year with your curious companions. With the help of delectable suprises from Hendrick’s Gin, it will make your celebrations at home all the more spectacular and sentional soirees.

Planning an evening of general festive mischief or you’re searching for a gift to delight a cocktail enthusiast, you can count on the Measurement Maestro Pack, a limited time release for the holidays. Each pack comes with an intricate Hendrick’s Jigger and a 700mL bottle of wondrously refreshing Hendrick’s Gin, oddly infused with rose and cucumber for a delightful floral aroma that’s sure to elevate your favorite festive cocktails.

Have these up your sleeve, and get easy-to-find mixers and garnishes such as the signature cucumber slices – you’ll be recreating your favorite Hendrick’s pours with such precision and finesse to dazzle your curious companions at the party.

The Measurement Maestro Pack is available at S&R, and will be rolled out at The Marketplace from 17 December 2021.

Host the most marvelous nights of merrymaking with festive Hendrick’s pours

Make the year-end celebrations an exceedingly easy affair with an array of delicious festive cocktails that are spectacularly simple yet incredibly impressive.

With all of the flair and none of fuss, spread the holiday cheer and raise a glass to those near and dear with the classic Hendrick’s Gin & Tonic. A splendid signature that couldn’t be simpler, this classic celebrates the distinct and unusual flavors of Hendrick’s Gin and its wondrous craft as every sip unravels its unique infusions of cucumber and rose. Light and refreshing, the Hendrick’s Gin & Tonic is perfect to kickstart the evening as you welcome guests to the party.

To add some sparkle to the toasts, the Hendrick’s French 75, also known as Soixante Quinze in French, packs the flavorsome punch of aromatic gin, bubbly champagne and freshly squeezed lemon in one delicate flute. Reserved for the most special of occasions, this historic cocktail is best shared with only the greatest of friends.

And as the momentous and memorable occasion begins to wind down, a comforting delight such as the Hendrick’s Hot Spiced Apple Punch makes the perfect nightcap of sweet spice and cheer. An intriguing concoction of gin, sweet apple juice and autumnal spices mulled over a fire, this cocktail will  transport you and your loved ones to a warm, cozy cabin on a cold winter’s evening. Best served in an elegant teacup with a side of good cheer.

This Christmas, gift unusually 

Without an exciting exchange gift wouldn’t be complete the Christmas soirees and this season, Hendrick’s Gin invites you to gift unusually. With every purchase of two 700ml bottles of Hendrick’s Gin for your comrades who are just as passionate about the Gin-iverse as you are, you’ll get a Hendrick’s Gin Candle for added delight. And let’s face it, it’s also a great excuse to gift yourself as you shop for essentials for your festive frivolities at home. The Hendrick’s Gin Candles are available at selected retailers, while stocks last.

For a limited time only, get a Hendrick’s Gin Candle with every purchase of two 700ml bottles of Hendrick’s Gin at the following retailers on the following dates:

• S&R (15th November to 31st December)
• The Marketplace (17th December onwards)
• Shotify, Liquor, Hurrys, Drinkies, Clink, Boozy, The Booze Shop (19th November onwards)

The Philippines will get Taiwan’s “best milk tea” brand. The freshness and enjoyment of Milksha milk tea are now available at Chowking, the country’s number one Chinese restaurant. Milksha, also famous in Taiwan as Milkshop, is one of the top milk tea brands in the world. It was voted “No. 1 Milk Tea Brand” by university students in Taiwan, and Daily View, a well-known online media platform in Taiwan, named it “The Best Reviewed” milk tea brand. .

Founded by Peter Huang, Milksha is driven by its mission to offer “Fresh, Natural, and Handmade Beverages”. It achieves this by using natural and fresh ingredients, without any preservatives or chemical additives. Milksha prides itself in using fresh, high quality milk as a base for its beverages.

From its founding in Tainan City in Taiwan in 2008, this milk tea brand has continued to grow and establish its presence locally and overseas. Milksha now has over 250 outlets, in Taiwan, Hongkong, Melbourne, Vancouver, and Singapore.

Now, these same fresh, all-natural Milksha beverages will be exclusively available over the counter and for delivery in select Chowking stores around Metro Manila.

Last November 6, Chowking opened its first Milksha counter in Betterliving in Paranaque and saw strong reception for the brand. Milksha will soon be made available in Chowking stores in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, Unciano Center and Marcos Highway in Antipolo City, Fairview Regalado and Roces in Quezon City, Annapolis Albany in San Juan, Bonifacio Stop Over and Petron C5 Diego Silang in Taguig City, and Valenzuela City Hall in Valenzuela City.

“Our goal is to give Filipinos a taste of what gold standard milk tea should be. We want to offer a unique and satisfying milk tea experience to our customers. With the use of premium ingredients, meticulous preparation process, and the delicious and indulgent taste of Milksha flavors, this new Chowking offering is expected to be a hit with foodies and milk tea lovers alike,” said Chowking Milksha Brand Director, Ariane Valinton.

Premium flavors

Chowking is offering five flavors of Milksha drinks, including Honey Pearl Black Tea Latte, Black Tea Latte with Pudding, Valrhona Cocoa Milk, Signature Taro Milk, and Wintermelon Lemon.

Honey Pearl Black Tea Latte

The honey pearls are Milksha’s signature toppers. Milksha’s pearls are soaked in honey for that unique and natural burst of honeyed sweetness in every chew. Delivered fresh from Taiwan, these pearls are free from preservatives. They are prepared meticulously daily to ensure each pearl is perfectly translucent and bouncy.

Like the honey pearls, the black tea used in creating Milksha’s Honey Pearl Black Tea Latte are always freshly prepared on-site. This premium black tea blend, which has an invigorating floral aroma, is finished off with the smoothness of fresh milk. Milksha Black Tea Latte can be topped off with its very own pudding, which is also fused with fresh milk for that soft, smooth, and creamy mouth feel.

Valrhona Cocoa Milk

For its indulgent Valrhona Cocoa Milk, Milksha uses Valrhona cocoa from France. Valrhona is a known high-grade luxury chocolate brand established by French pastry chef Albéric Guironnet. Every cup feels like a rich, and addictive chocolate experience. Far from your regular chocolate drink, Valrhona Cocoa Milk delivers a strong cocoa taste, yet perfectly balanced with sweet and creamy milk.

Signature Taro Milk is one of Milksha’s top sellers in Taiwan—for good reason! It uses high quality taro from selected regions in Taiwan. With each sip, customers will taste the earthy all-natural flavor of taro blended with rich and creamy milk.

Wintermelon Lemon

Milksha’s Wintermelon Lemon boasts of the right blend of sweet and sour.  It is made with sweet, fruity wintermelon syrup brewed from fresh wintermelons and is mixed with the tangy, citrusy flavor of Taiwanese lemon juice. Every drop of this drink leaves a cool and refreshing taste.

Jollibee Group to acquire majority stake in Milksha

Jollibee Group announced on November 4 that it will purchase Jollibee Worldwide, Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Jollibee Group. Ltd. (JWPL), which owns a majority share in Milksha. Milkshop International Co. will be purchased by Jollibee Group, which will hold 51 percent of the company. Milkshop Ltd. (Milkshop) for USD12.8 million. Milkshop’s 49 percent ownership will be retained by one of the company’s co-founders.

Chowking is a subsidiary of the Jollibee Group, one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant chains. And to learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com