Christmas is already around the corner. 

And while my office workload is a bit overwhelming come this season, nothing can indeed stop me from feeling and celebrating the Christmas spirit. So during my free time, I whipped up one of my favorite pasta dishes to make. I don't have much free time these days so just imagine that with the limited time I had, I was able to come up with this simple but satisfying dish. 

So to those who juggle so many tasks this coming Christmas eve, here's one dish you can prepare with your limited time. 

CREAMY BACON MUSHROOM PASTA

WHAT YOU NEED:

•          500g Linguine pasta
•          1/2 tablespoon olive oil
•          80g butter
•          1 large onion, finely chopped
•          400g shredded bacon
•         1 can Jolly  Mushrooms
•          2 cans Jolly Cream of Mushroom
•          1/2 cup water
•          1 pack all-purpose cream
•          2 cups grated tasty cheese
•          Salt and pepper

 

STEPS 

1.    In a large saucepan of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to packet instructions. Drain well.
2.    Meanwhile, in another frypan, cook bacon until crisp and brown. Set aside.
3.    Heat a large frypan. Add oil, butter and onion until it changes color.
4.    Add the Jolly mushrooms and stir until mushrooms are tender.
5.    Add the bacon to the pan, setting aside a portion for garnish.
6.    Add the all-purpose cream and Jolly Cream of Mushroom. Add ½ cup of water to soften the sauce. Bring to a boil. Then simmer for a 2-3 minutes or until slightly thickened.
7.    Add the cheese to the sauce. Then add the cooked pasta.
8.    Stir through sauce until it is evenly mixed throughout the pasta.
9.    Garnish top with bacon and more cheese. Serve and enjoy. 

Let me know if you've given this recipe a try by sharing your experience below. Remember, no matter how busy your Christmas season may be, don't forget to #MakeItJolly. 

Have a blessed Christmas everyone!

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Special thanks to  http://www.flyacecorp.com/  for sending these products. 

For more jolly recipes, visit https://www.facebook.com/JollyFoods/.

After all the hustle and bustle of the past few weeks and consecutive days of working late, our family decided to take a breather and celebrate victories by having a gastronomic feast at Bagoong Club. With its exciting menu, homey ambiance and proximity, this restaurant has been our go-to place when it comes to having Filipino comfort food.

Having a wide variety of menu, every visit seems like an adventure trying out new flavors and discovering new favorites. Although Bagoong Club is famous for its signature dishes featuring their trademark condiment, the bagoong (or shrimp paste), which I think you really have to give a try, I would like to introduce a few more dishes that will surely please your palate should you decide to give Bagoong Club a well-deserved visit. 

Every meal comes with a complimentary treat of singkamas/turnips paired with a sampling of two of their bagoong varieties: Bagoong Pag-ibig (sweet) and Bagoong Umaga (chili).

The towering Ukoy was one of their best-selling appetizers that it’s hard to see any dining table without one. But for those allergic to shrimp (like me), better try the Tinapa Roll, which in itself is a delectable surprise.

Another dish which unexpectedly caught my heart is the Laing Espesyal. Their version of stewed taro leaves in coconut milk is tender but really flavorful that one serving might not be enough, most especially when it’s paired with the Bagnet Bicol Express.

I found it fascinating how Bagoong Club came up with Bagnet Bicol Express, which is a unique fusion of Ilocano and Bicolano flavors. 

Another wonderful discovery I loved is their Crispy Hito. No hint of bagoong in it but the crispy batter on the outside really complemented the soft fish meat inside. Two thumbs up!

Of course, every visit will not be complete without ordering their signature Pancit Inasal. Their unique offering of a combination of two famous Filipino favorites – pancit and inasal – never fails to capture any palate. 

Their Traditional Kare-kare is already flavorful even without bagoong, but hey, bagoong always makes dishes better, so why not?

 

If you’re an adventurous foodie willing to give any dish a try, have a plate of Mula Sa Puso, which is a sisig made up of banana blossoms, and paired up with a savory dip of pig brain and mayonnaise. This dish seems to be a perfect reminder that things are better when the brain and the heart are in sync.

Any gastronomic feast is best capped off with a satisfying dessert and from among Bagoong Club’s offerings, what got me more enticed was their Maja, Mais at Turon, which is a combination of the all-time favorite maja con mais inside a crisp sugar-coated spring roll. 

Bagoong Club may be famous for its signature bagoong-infused dishes but I realized that other dishes offered in the menu can also keep up with the expectations. Servings are generous and reasonably priced between P150.00 - P500.00 but the ingenuity of flavors and the satisfaction can be worth more than what you paid for. 

Have you tried Bagoong Club Davao? Share your favorites in the comment section below. 

BAGOONG CLUB
123 University Ave. cor Talisay St. Juna Subd. Davao City
(082) 298 - 5968
Opens 10 am - 10 pm
https://www.facebook.com/bcdvo/

One of the most awaited highlights of the Kadayawan Festival every year goes by a four-letter word synonymous to love - I bet you're thinking about SALE but it's not - I'm here to talk to you about - FOOD!The best thing I love about this festival is that everything seems to be in abundance, especially when it comes to food - streets are converted into gastronomic destinations, food trucks mushrooming in any part of the city, and home-grown business are given opportunities to showcase their masterpieces. 

Still haven't decided what to do or where to eat in Davao this Kadayawan? Gather your squad and hop on a Kadayawan food trip. Budget allocation will be dependent on your chosen destination but if you really have a thing for food, then I'm pretty sure money's not going to be an issue.

Shutter Cravings is now bringing you a list on where to eat in Davao this Kadayawan Festival: 

KADAYAWAN FOOD FESTIVAL AT CAFE MARCO

CM Recto St. Davao City 8000

Taste the abundant and colorful flavors of Davao's 11 tribes and savor the rich culture of the Filipino in this culinary journey at Cafe Marco from August 14 to 21, 2017 for Php799 nett per person for lunch and Php1,100 nett per person for dinner. Group diners can also enjoy the 5+1 group promo at the buffet.

A wide variety of local delicacies will also be available. Spicy tuna (Maranaw style), Tiyula Itom (Sama style), Adobo Pugo, Piassak (Tausug style), Linotlot nga Nonno (Jangan style), Yellow rice (Kalagan style),  Palikambing and Pitis (Tausog style) and Dugdug na Bulig (Jangan style) shall give you a memorable dining experience during this most festive time of the year. 

ABREEZA

J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, 

Davao City 8000

SM LANANG PREMIER
J.P. Laurel Avenue , Brgy. San Antonio, Agdao, 

Davao City, 8000 

SM CITY DAVAO

Quimpo Blvd, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur

FESTIVAL OF FLAVORS AT FELCRIS CENTRALE

Brgy. 40-D Quimpo Boulevard, Talomo, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur

KAONDAYAWAN AT PALMA GIL ST. 

beside Pasalubong Center / People's Park

KADAYAWAN DAMOSA FOOD FEST

Damosa Parking Area

Lanang, Davao City

MISTO AT SEDA ABREEZA HOTEL

Abreeza Ayala Business Park,, J.P. Laurel Ave, Poblacion District, Davao City, 8000 

Misto is showcasing all your Kadayawan favorites this August! Take your pick as we feature Davao’s best dishes in our ala carte menu, or have them all in our special buffet spreads. The Kadayawan Dinner Buffer runs from August 17 to 19, 2017 from 6 to 9PM at Php 980 nett for adults andPhp 580 nett for kids aged 7-12 years old.

ROXAS NIGHT MARKET
Roxas Ave. Davao City

And of course, your favorite food trip destination is so much alive this Kadayawan season. Check out new stalls and new offerings of flavors available at the Roxas Night Market.

Wherever your cravings will lead you, an exciting gastronomic adventure awaits you and your friends this Kadayawan 2017! 

I remember way back in college, ham and cheese bread rolls were a thing, whether as a snack or lunch, because the demands of our hospital duties often didn't allow us to have the pleasure of enjoying a full meal. Now that I'm working, I often see this snack as a common offering in our school canteen, often made with hotdogs and cheese. 

Since I'm not quite a fan of hams and hotdogs, I decided to come up with my own version - beef and mushroom. The cooking method is simple and preparation time is minimal so this could be one good idea to make as a baon for kids, plus it's nutritious and filling as well. I was already satisfied with just one bread roll. 

YOU'LL BE NEEDING:

1 cup lean ground beef

1/2 cup Jolly mushrooms, chopped

one small onion, chopped

4 slices of wheat bread

4 strips of cheddar cheese

4 strips of mozzarella cheese

2 tbsp of melted butter

2 cups of Panko bread crumbs

2 eggs, beaten

salt and pepper to taste

cooking oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a skillet, melt butter and saute onions. Add in ground beef and cook it over low heat until no longer pink.

2. Add in mushroom, salt and pepper. 

The beef-mushroom mixture yields more than the slices of bread indicated in the recipe so you can store it in a fridge and just heat it in a microwave when you make other bread rolls on another day.

3. While waiting for the beef-mushroom mixture to be cook, prepare the bread by flattening each slice until very thin. 

4. Spread melted butter over each slice, then put a strip of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, and apply a spoonful of beef-mushroom mixture on top. Roll bread into a log to enclose filling. Apply pressure as you roll it, and brush a bit of beaten egg on the corner of the bread to close it. 

5. Then dip the bread roll into the beaten egg, and then roll it on the bread crumbs until fully coated. 

6. In a wide, thick-bottomed pan over medium heat, heat about 2-inch deep of oil. Place prepared bread rolls seam side down and fry until golden, turning on sides as needed. Remove from pan and drain of paper towels. Serve. 

And that's it. This snack is not only perfect as a snack for kids, it can also be a filling meal for adults who are on a diet, or you can also make this as an appetizer for parties. 

Let me know when you have given this recipe a try! 

With a limited number of restaurants here in Davao City offering authentic Thai cuisine, Thai food enthusiasts know for a fact how difficult it is to satisfy one's palate. 

Marco Polo Davao opened a wonderful opportunity for Thai food enthusiasts as they bring another Southeast Asian flavor to Café Marco with its Thai Food Festival, with guest Chef Baupha from Hong Kong. Guests from various sectors including the diplomatic corps, government offices were present to celebrate the week-long festival of flavors which will run until July 6 and will showcase some of Thailand’s signature dishes.

Chef Nontra-Udon Baupha, a Thai national, brought with him his 38 years of culinary experience in Thai cuisine for the festival. He is currently with the Marco Polo Prince Hotel but has worked from various hotels and restaurants both in Thailand and Hong Kong such as Imperial Hotel (Thailand), Tip Top Thai Restaurant (Thailand) and Supapra’s Thai Restaurant (Hong Kong). 

Guest enjoyed an array of authentic Thai cuisine and fusion flavors which include Tom yam kung, Phad Thai, Chicken Satay, Thai chicken rice, Mango sticky rice and rich flavors of Thai grilled seafood items. Diners can enjoy this authentic Thai buffet every lunch and dinner at Php1500 per person from June 30 to July 06, 2017.

CAFE MARCO

Level 2, Marco Polo DavaoP.O. Box 81540 CM Recto Street, Davao City 8000, Philippines

Contact No: (63 82) 221 0888 local 7222
https://www.facebook.com/marcopolodavaohotel
Instagram: @marcopolodavao

Twitter: @marcopolodavao