happyfoodies.com – Philippines Food Blog

Two desserts in one Custaroon

Two-in-one coffee mix. Two-in-one toothpaste and mouthwash. Two-in-one shampoo and conditioner. Two-in-one mobile phone and organizer. We live in a curious age when consumer products are marketed to be better because they’re essentially two products in one. But how about desserts? Sure, we’ve got cake a la mode but that’s about it. That is, until we heard of Custaroons.

Just what on earth is a custaroon? Well, it’s a mix of custard (or leche flan in more familiar terms) and macaroons (dessicated coconut and milk confection). It’s a term coined by its creator, Gigi Gaerlan, a self-confessed sweet tooth and leche flan fanatic. Hailing from a family of restaurateurs, getting into a hobby of baking sweet treats came naturally to Gigi. In a very competitive marketplace, she felt the need for a unique product she can call her original. So she mixed her liking for custard with her mom’s recipe for macaroons. At first, she just baked batches for giving away to relatives and friends. But soon, orders started trickling in. That was way back in 2000. At present, Gigi’s Custaroons are still home-baked in her kitchen in Sta Mesa. Happyfoodies samples custaroons and shares the experience.

Tags: Chocolate, Custaroons, Desserts, Leche Flan, Macaroons, Sweets

Where to eat when in Basco

“Where do we we eat?” Tired and famished from all the hiking and traveling, it’s a question we ourselves keep asking whenever we’re in Basco,. This capital of Batanes, is usually the jump-off point for visitors exploring the Philippines’ northernmost province. Happyfoodies collates some noteworthy eating places to help out first-time or returning visitors.

Tags: Basco, Batanes, Brandon's Restaurant, Carlo's Canteen, Casa Napoli, Ivatan, SBDC Canteen, Shanedel's, Therese Coffe Shop

Going nuts about Macadamia at Haagen-Dazs

The fickle weather hints at the onset of the rainy season but every once in a while, the sun emerges from the clouds and the weather turns sunny and hot. Uncomfortably, very humid,hot. Seems to us that summer is still here and holding. What a time for happyfoodies to be given an opportunity to sample Haagen Dazs’ nutty creations.

We were given three preparations to sample (many thanks to Haagen Dazs and especially the SM Megamall crew) – the Macadamia Nut Delight, Hawaiian Macadamia Crunch, and the Macadamia Nut Cake. Imagine the velvety, creamy goodness that Haagen Dazs is known for. Mix it with Macadamia nuts. Voila, you have a perfect recipe for going nuts.

Tags: Haagen Dazs, Ice Cream