Thursday, November 24, 2011

Seattle’s Best Coffee’s Four New Holiday Drinks


Coffee Cream Pie (female friend)
Coffee Cream Pie is the perfect blend of the traditional coffee cream pie ingredients (toasted marshmallows, toffee syrup, dark and white chocolate) with espresso topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings. The blending is very smooth and relaxing -- it's not strong bitter coffee but rather a clear coffee taste that soothes and goes down very well. Similar to the character associated with it - the simple, relaxed, girl-next-door type of friend – Coffee Cream Pie is smooth, relaxing, easy-going and stress free.

Chocolate Cherry (female friend)
The taste of Chocolate Cherry is highly dependent on the taste buds of the customer.  Some would describe it as sweet; others would describe the cherry taste as liquor-ish, while a few would describe the drink as a bit citrusy. The drink mixes cherry syrup and dark chocolate sauce with espresso topped with whipped cream and a cherry fruit to produce a myriad of different tastes inside your mouth. Just like the character associated with it, Chocolate Cherry has a sophisticated taste profile. It's difficult to pin down and that's exactly why people will get attracted to it.



Cookies & Mint (male friend)

Cookies & Mint is sweet and minty leaving you with a refreshing aftertaste. The drink flavors (dark chocolate and mint mixed with espresso) are familiar and never disappointing. Cookies & Mint is topped off with crushed Oreo cookies, which provides a nice texture and contrast to the smooth espresso. Cookies & Mint is exactly like the personality attached to it -- the serious friend who is always reliable. He is always there to join you for the fun times or comfort you during the serious moments.  

Coffee Hazelnut (male friend)
Coffee Hazelnut
is a sweet drink mixing hazelnut, white chocolate sauce and slight hints of coconut with espresso topped with whipped cream and caramel grounds. The blend of hazelnut and espresso results in a drink that really perks you up. The drink is exactly like the character associated with it – a very casual, relaxed and goofy friend who has an innate way of livening things up and making everyone laugh.

We're making it sizzle in Makati this November 25, 2011!

We're making it sizzle in Makati this November 25, 2011!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Premium Lifestyle Coffee Retailer, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Unveils New Christmas Inspired Drinks Along With New Partnership with World Vision

Seattle’s Best Coffee Philippines kicked off the holidays by unveiling four new coffees available for a limited time at its locations nationwide. The four new blends: Chocolate Cherry, Coffee Hazelnut, Cookies and Mint, and Coffee Cream Pie, each personified by its corresponding holiday “Best Friend,” is a unique blend of rich flavors and holiday spirit. Seattle’s Best Coffee’s new brews compliment anyone’s personality while not forgetting to tickle their taste buds to jumpstart what is appropriately considered the “most wonderful time of the year.”





WORLD VISION PARTNERSHIP
The launch also served to unveil a new long-term partnership between the premium lifestyle coffee retailer and prominent children’s foundation, World Vision. World Vision is considered the largest child sponsorship agency globally. In the Philippines, World Vision currently helps improve the lives of more than 120,000 children and 16 million Filipinos in 33 provinces and 44 cities nationwide.

Both the best in their respective fields, Seattle’s Best Coffee Philippines and World Vision have joined together to provide children a chance to be the best they can be as well. Similar to its past holiday promotions, customers will receive stickers when they purchase one of Seattle’s Best Coffee’s new holiday or classic drinks from October 22, 2011 to January 22, 2012. When a total of 18 stickers are collected, customers present their completed “dream card” and redeem a leather journal loaded with, amongst other things: free music, goodies, food and drinks coupons, and up to 24 hours worth of free wifi at selected Seattle’s Best Coffee shop.

However, this year, instead of receiving one sticker, customers will receive two – one for their own Dream  Card and the other for the World Vision Dream Tree. Visual Dream Trees will be installed in every Seattle’s Best Coffee shop where customers can stick their second stickers on. In the spirit of giving this holiday season, for every journal a customer redeems, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to World Vision, which will in turn be used to  sponsor children in need to school.

In addition to the stickers, World Vision donation boxes will be placed in every Seattle’s Best Coffee location allowing customers to give more to those less fortunate this holiday season.

"The Seattle's Best team knows that being the best does not just happen,” says Rea Cruz, General Manager for Seattle’s Best Coffee. She goes on to share, “It takes work, it takes effort and sometimes, it takes a little help for someone to be able to achieve the best that they can be. This is why the partnership with World Vision is something that we are passionate about.  We believe in what they are trying to achieve and we want to help make a difference in the lives of these children."

Jun Godornes, World Vision OIC NRD Assistant Director, shares similar sentiments, stating, "The SBC – World Vision Partnership is something we've eagerly waited for. SBC is giving us another venue to engage the public and give them an opportunity to create lasting change in the lives of the children and families we serve. We feel that SBC is a strong ally in raising a generation of givers among Filipinos… especially the coffee lovers! At World Vision, we believe in the joy of giving. SBC is now providing an excellent channel for that."

BEST OF THE BEST
Seattle’s Best Coffee’s name is its promise because its mission is to serve the best cup of coffee to each Guest, and its four new holiday blends are no exception to this rule. What differentiates Seattle’s Best Coffee from its competitors is its attention to detail from the coffee making process to satisfying each Guest with the service and coffee experience. Every step of the way, from cup to coffee to the cherry on top epitomizes excellence; a standard Seattle’s Best Coffee is proud to stand by.

"At Seattle's Best, we believe that the coffee experience starts with taste,” says Seattle’s Best Marketing Officer, Eric Fontillas, who adds, “this belief has guided us in maintaining the quality of our products and thus, after 11 years in the business, we have managed to build a loyal base of customers who know what they want and don't just go with the flow.”

For starters, Seattle's Best Coffee works hand-in-hand with coffee farmers, cultivating decades-long relationships so that it always has access to the most premium beans from all regions across the globe. It is worth noting that Seattle’s Best Coffee Philippines imports each and every bean from the best locations anytime of the year to ensure that every cup of coffee served starts with the best ingredients.

From there, beans are carefully chosen for their nuances and flavor characteristics to produce the most optimal blend. To balance the coffee’s pleasantly crisp acidity with its full-bodied physique, for example, Seattle’s Best Coffee sources the best beans that embody these traits, then blend them together prior to roasting. Crafting the blends at this green stage allows the retailer to later achieve a roast that's consistent.

Roasting is where the real magic happens. Each coffee type, depending on its intensity, requires its own finely calibrated roasting curve. Seattle’s Best Coffee’s long, gentle roasting process coaxes the optimum flavor out of each bean to produce the signature smoothness it is known for. Similar to slow cooking in a low-heat oven — the roasting process takes time but yields richer and more complex flavors.

Finally, unlike its competitors, Seattle’s Best Coffee is always served fresh. Quality is always its main priority, meaning beans are never pre- ground and stored for extensive periods of time and are likewise, never frozen to prolong their shelf life. Every cup is brewed fresh and under the same exact measurements so that it is not watered down but rather, rich, velvety and smooth all around.  The time and patience it takes to create the perfect cup of coffee is unmatched and the main reason why Seattle’s Best Coffee can so confidently call its product the “Best.”

“Seattle’s Best has always been a fun brand. In fact, one of our cherished values is “to have fun”, proclaims Seattle’s Best General Manager, Rea Cruz. “We may have the best coffee but we don't let that get to our heads and have remained very down to earth and close to our roots, maintaining a warm relationship with our Guests in all the areas we are present.” This brand personality and value is probably epitomized by this statement, “We at Seattle’s Best are pretty laid back, except when it comes to roasting coffee. Then things get pretty passionate. But we like passion, dedication and commitment. We like being authentic, and a little quirky. It’s honest. Like our coffee.”

Seattle’s Best Coffee’s four new holiday drinks
along with the rest of its extensive menu of food and other beverages are available at 15 freestanding locations: Greenbelt 3 G/F; Bonifacio High Street; Valero Street, Makati City; Makati Medical Center; SM Megamall G/F; Cardinal Santos Hospital, San Juan, Manila; Trinoma 2/L; Katipunan Street – near Ateneo University; SM Mall of Asia G/F; Metropolitan Hospital G/F; Neo Plaza, Ongpin Street; Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3; Festival Mall 3/L; CALTEX SLEX – Southbound, Laguna; The Terraces G/F, Ayala Center, Cebu.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Sarap at Home: Season 4

Entertaining impromptu guests? Dealing with fussy eaters? Living on a budget? Working at warp speed and need a faster-than-ever dish that’s sure to impress? In the fourth installment of Sarap at Home on GNTV11, expect delicious answers and quick fixes to all these and to your other cooking dilemmas!



PERFECT TOGETHER
This season, resident host Sam Oh will be joined by actress Jackie Rice, hunky model Fabio Ide, and funny man Ramon Bautista to give everyone an exhilarating time episode after episode. What else makes the new season stand out? Sam says, “We’re giving the show a bit of a sitcom approach now while still highlighting the many recipes our viewers can create with San Marino products. The unpredictable twists and reveals that are going to happen in Sarap at Home are something to watch out for. With that and the addition of Jackie, Fabio, and Ramon, it’s definitely going to be a really, really exciting show to watch!”
Witness how these four get intertwined in each other’s lives—Sam falls for her gorgeous neighbor Fabio, who has a crush on her pretty probinsyana cousin Jackie, while comic Ramon is in love with Sam! Who will end up with whom? Better stay tuned!



JUST POP OPEN A CAN!
Tons of incredibly simple, easy-to-prepare, and budget-friendly recipes will surely wow you this season. And all of these dishes are deliciously created with: San Marino Corned Tuna, the number #1 corned tuna in the Philippines, the fiery San Marino Chili Corned Tuna, the full-packed meal San Marino Tuna Paella, and their newest product innovation, the ready-to-eat, no-need-to-fry San Marino Tuna Embutido.



Definitely, turning everyday meals to gourmet meals are made delectably easy and speedy with San Marino! Each product is also rich in Omega-3 and DHA which is good for the brain and heart. So whether you’re in the mood for cooking and creating new delicious dishes with San Marino, all you need is to catch each episode of Sarap at Home to learn a valuable tip or two on cooking.





BIZ BEST
Another thrilling twist to the show’s new season and wonderful news to those keen on starting up their own businesses: CDO Foodservice will also be sharing helpful tips on how to set up your own food businesses. Be your own success story too by learning important business trade secrets, quality food products, and business start-up solutions that will be generously shared by the CDO Foodservice throughout the season. CDO Foodservice will surely be a huge help in making your dreams of owning and running a business come true, whether you are planning to start up a small business, looking for a foodservice partner or have a food product you want to conceptualize and develop. CDO Foodservice has always believed in making things happen and with their help, so should you.

AN EVENT TO REMEMBER
To give a firsthand experience of Sarap at Home and San Marino’s and to kickstart the new season, several bloggers and members of the press had been invited last October 18, 2011 for an afternoon of food, fun, and surprises! A cooking demo, delectable food tasting, games, and tons of prizes, plus a screening of an episode of Season 4 made it an event filled with not just entertainment but helpful tips in the kitchen. The whole crew—Sam, Jackie, Fabio, and Ramon—were also present during the event.

TRUE TASTE OF THE SEASON
Sarap at Home Season 4 will surely shake up your cooking routine and wake up your taste buds. Get ready for flavor-filled episodes and be part of the everyday lives, struggles, and triumphs of Sam, Jackie, Fabio, and Ramon. Plus, whet your appetite with these four exciting products—San Marino Corned Tuna, San Marino Chili Corned Tuna, San Marino Tuna Paella, and San Marino Tuna Embutido—everyday! Can’t have enough of the Sarap at Home and San Marino duo? Make sure to catch Sarap at Home on GNTV11 Channel from Mondays to Sundays.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Christmas Whole Bean and Starbucks VIA® 2011

Celebrate festive gatherings, joyous occasions and peaceful holiday moments this season with the tradition of Starbucks.

As you gather with friends and family, offer your guests the warmest of greetings by welcoming them with a delicious cup of Starbucks® coffee. Whether it’s the spicy, full-bodied flavor of the beloved Starbucks® Christmas Blend, the rich, caramelly flavor of Starbucks® Christmas Blend Espresso Roast, or the comforting promise of instant Starbucks® VIA Ready Brew Christmas Blend, revel in the tastes of the season with Starbucks.

Available at Starbucks stores in the Philippines beginning November 3, 2011



Starbucks® Christmas Blend
In 1985, Starbucks introduced what has become one of the most admired and anticipated coffees in our entire coffee portfolio – Starbucks® Christmas Blend. This full-bodied favorite combines the liveliness of superb Latin American coffees with the mellow smoothness of Asia-Pacific coffees, but is truly noteworthy for the spicy notes from aged Sumatra beans.
Retail Price: ₱ 500
Try Pairing With…
White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie - Big and chunky, chewy and crunchy. This cookie has it all and will draw the crowds with chunky white chocolate, fresh roasted walnuts and chopped dried cranberries. Perfect for this season!



Starbucks® Christmas Blend Espresso Roast
Two of our most treasured artistries – traditional Starbucks® Christmas Blend and the Starbucks® signature Espresso Roast – have been combined and re-imagined to create a new holiday tradition since 2010, Starbucks® Christmas Blend Espresso Roast. This coffee is made from Sumatra and aged Sumatra coffees, combined with beans from the Bella Vista F.W. Estate in Tres Rios, Costa Rica, and finally roasted in our signature Espresso Roast for an intense flavor profile and an unforgettable spicy finish.
Retail Price: ₱ 500



Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew Christmas Blend
(available in select stores only)
Enjoy the tradition of Starbucks® Christmas Blend wherever your holiday plans take you! Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew Christmas Blend is an instant and microground coffee that provides a comforting taste of the holidays wherever you go.
Retail Price: ₱ 495

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Starbucks Christmas Food Items

Gather with good friends and indulge in Starbucks Christmas Food Items
Enjoy your favorite holiday beverages with new and returning favorite food items at Starbucks.
Available at Starbucks stores in the Philippines beginning November 3, 2011.

Pecan Butterscotch Twirl
Why not start a Holiday tradition with this delicious, light and flaky spiral roll stuffed with aromatic cinnamon and creamy vanilla pastry cream filling topped with roasted pecans drizzled with butterscotch sauce and white chocolate. No one can resist this warm sweet comforting food. Dreamily exhilarating!
Retail Price: ₱ 85



Hazelnut Stollen Bread
A German festival bread that is popular during Christmas season not only in Germany but all over Europe. A sweet yeast bread packed with scents of toasted hazelnut paste perfectly balanced with raisins, is simply irresistible.
Retail Price: ₱ 65 slice / ₱ 595 whole



S’mores
A sophisticated version of a campfire treat. A buttery graham crust filled with gooey melted marshmallow cream and intense dark chocolate then topped with chocolate ganache. This treat is sure to please both young and old alike.
Retail Price: ₱ 70



Triple Decker Cheesecake with Snickers®
A scrumptious 3 layer cheesecake loaded with chunks of Snickers candy bar in a chocolate cookie crust topped with a chocolate fudge icing and topped with roasted chopped peanuts. This cheesecake has all the good things: peanuts, caramel and chocolate. To die for!
Retail Price: ₱ 130 slice / ₱ 1250 whole



Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
A giant chocolate chip cookie made into a cake then topped with thick and chocolaty dark chocolate mousse filled with mini chocolate chip cookies. Best served warm from the oven topped with whipped cream and drizzled with our very own Starbucks caramel drizzle.
Retail Price: ₱ 110 slice / ₱ 950 whole



Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Roll (served with butter and jam)
A crispy, crunchy crust with a slightly chewy and soft center traditionally served in France, but with a twist. We made it more flavorful by adding sun-dried tomatoes and basil. Best served warm with butter and jam on the side.
Retail Price: ₱ 50



Chicken Alfredo Turnover
A light, buttery and flaky crust filled with moist and juicy chicken breast cubes marinated in Italian seasoning then sautéed in a rich and creamy exhilarating Alfredo sauce. Best served warm.
Retail Price: ₱ 90



Texas Chicken BBQ Wrap
Love the sweet, spicy and smoky flavor of strips of chicken breast fillet fried to perfection tossed in barbeque sauce with Texas style salsa, grated cheese and drizzled with sour cream wrapped in soft to chewy flour tortilla. Best served warm.
Retail Price: ₱ 140



Glazed Ham with Apricot Spread on Multi-grain Bread
Juicy slices of glazed ham and creamy mozzarella cheese with tangy and sweet apricot dressing on a hearty crisp, crunchy and soft center multi-grain bread. Best served warm.
Retail Price: ₱ 140



Turkey & Chicken with Apple Stuffing on Whole Wheat Walnut
Bread
Slices of moist and tender turkey and chicken breast served with delectable apple stuffing and cranberry spread on a crusty whole wheat walnut bread.
Retail Price: ₱ 140



Chocolate Toffee Nut Loaf
Christmas will never be the same without this intense rich, moist and dense chocolate loaf frosted with smooth chocolate icing and topped with chewy, crunchy toffee. A great Christmas treat for all chocolate lovers.
Retail Price: ₱ 55 slice / ₱ 495 whole



White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie
Big and chunky, chewy and crunchy. This cookie has it all and will draw the crowds with chunky white chocolate, fresh roasted walnuts and chopped dried cranberries. Perfect for this season!
Retail Price: ₱ 55



Peppermint Brownie
A tango of fudgy, chewy chocolate brownie and creamy, smooth peppermint cream cheese filling, then topped with chocolate ganache. It is finished with white, red and green chocolate drizzle and small golden beads for a festive look.
Retail Price: ₱ 75



Gingerbread Cookie
Very traditional this time of the year and they make wonderful gifts as well. The combination of ginger, allspice and cinnamon makes a cookie that is as fragrant as it is delicious.
Retail Price: ₱ 55



Molten Chocolate Cake
Intensely chocolatey, enrobed in moist chocolate sponge cake and filled with dark chocolate and caramel truffle. Served wickedly warm, topped with whipped cream and drizzled with Starbucks caramel sauce. It unleashes a rush of molten chocolate and caramel to your customers’ delight!
Retail Price: ₱ 120

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Braised Pork Belly - Chef Bruce Lim Recipes

COOK WITH THE MASTERS: A LEE KUM KEE WEEKEND COOKING FESTIVAL CHEF BRUCE LIM’S RECIPES



INGREDIENTS
1 kilo     pork belly, sliced ½ inch thick
750 ml    water
1 cup    pork broth
1 cup     carrots
½ cup     celery
½ cup     onions
1 Tbsp    garlic
1 Tbsp     Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce
1 Tbsp     Lee Kum Kee Premium Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp    Lee Kum Kee Panda Brand Oyster Sauce
1 tsp     coriander seeds
2 pcs     star anise
Garnish
2 pcs     mustasa leaves
1 tsp     green and red bellpepper, julienned

PROCEDURES
1. Combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Bring down to a simmer and simmer for 3 hours or until the pork belly is soft or the fat layers are almost gelatinous in texture.
2. Blanch the Mustasa leaves in boiling water. Then lay on a plate, as a bed for the pork belly.
3. When cooked, remove the belly from the pot, place them on top of the mustasa leaves, drizzle with some of the sauce then top with bell peppers. Serve immediately.

TIP: Save time by using Lee Kum Kee Soup Base for Pork Bone Hot Pot instead of using pork broth. It’s easier and hassle free.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

2011 Christmas Handcrafted Espresso Beverages

The Flavor of the Season at Starbucks
Share the warmth of the Starbucks Experience with family and friends this Christmas with stories and memories over delicious Starbucks® food and beverages. Starbucks is bringing back delightful seasonal favorites such as the Toffee Nut Latte and Peppermint Mocha as well as introducing the NEW Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha, the perfect addition to the Christmas beverage family to celebrate the Christmas spirit.


Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha NEW!
A flavorful new holiday beverage, the Cranberry White Chocolate Mocha, is the perfect sweet treat to sip during this season. Starbucks® signature espresso is combined with freshly steamed milk and luscious white chocolate, then topped with whipped cream, a tart cranberry drizzle and crystallized cranberry sugar.


Toffee Nut Latte
Back by popular demand, the Toffee Nut Latte has the rich, buttery flavor of sweet toffee combined with toasted nuts, blended with our smooth espresso and velvety steamed milk. Topped with whipped cream and toffee-flavored sprinkles, it’s no surprise that this warm, heavenly beverage is sure to put you in the mood for Christmas.



Peppermint Mocha
Peppermint fans, this one is for you! Enjoy the warm combination of espresso, steamed milk, bittersweet chocolate and peppermint flavor in this seasonal favorite. Topped with classic whipped cream and red sugar sprinkles, the Peppermint Mocha is brimming with Christmas cheer that is sure to please the palate.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Spicy Seaside Prawns- Chef Bruce Lim Recipes



INGREDIE NTS
500 g     large prawns
100 g     butter (unsalted)
1 tsp     minced garlic
1 tbsp     Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce
1 tbsp     Lee Kum Kee Seasoned Soy Sauce for Seafood
1 tbsp     seafood broth
1 tbsp     ginger (shredded)
¼ cup     onion leeks
1 tsp     Lee Kum Kee Chili Garlic
salt and pepper, to taste
sesame oil, for drizzling

PROCEDURE
1. Peel prawns by removing shell and head. Set the shell and head aside. Proceed by deveining prawns.
2. For Shrimp Flavored Stock: In a sauté pan, add 25g butter and sauté shells and heads until deep orange in color. Season with salt and pepper then deglaze pan with seafood broth. Strain liquid and set aside.
3. In a separate pan, add remaining butter and rest of ingredients then sauté for 5 minutes. Add prawns and simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat. At the same time, add the shrimp flavored stock. After 5 minutes adjust seasoning then drizzle with sesame oil and serve.

TIP: Save time by using Lee Kum Kee Soup Base for Seafood Hot Pot instead of making seafood broth from scratch.