Food in the time of COVID19 Part 2

For this series of posts, I am highlighting and revisiting all of the kits, meals, and treats that have been sent over for #TeamGellibean to enjoy and review. We have always enjoyed eating out and getting busy in the kitchen, and that definitely reflects in the types of meals that the kids choose to cook when it’s their night of responsibility to feed the family. Thankfully, the list that I have started, continues to grow as so many of my friends and the restaurants that we favor, continue to offer different options for Food in the time of COVID19.

As I prepare and review each list, I realize each meal has been such a blessing from friends who have convinced their mamas to sell their homemade bagoong, to others who have little ones with an extra chromosome, or another friend who began selling her treats that has now been featured all over the metro!

Here’s the next installment of the different things we have enjoyed in the last year:

Food in the time of COVID10

Lechoneria

This proudly Pinoy restaurant in SM North Edsa has become our new favorite for birthdays and New Years. After trying the Lechoneria full menu with all of their best dishes we quickly fell in love with their crispy and flavorful pork belly. It’s a beautiful to look at on the table and is so impressive when you bring it out to serve. Of course, kids and adults alike, cannot keep their hands off the crispy skin! It really is so delicious!

Lechoneria also has shifted to provide packed meals for offices and events, that are catering to people where safety is also an issue. You can order packed meals from them and still enjoy the pork belly in all its glory!

Shangrila Fort

Bake House Manila is the bakery that calls Shangrila Fort, home. With luxurious cakes, desserts, and breads for every occasion, they have made it even easier for us to get our sweets because they are available on Pickaroo. Everything is freshly made, and you can follow them on Instagram to see their daily specials of sandwiches, snacks and desserts.

Sunrise Buckets

This family friendly restaurant is one that we would visit when we were in the area of The Grove. As a family who takes their chicken wings seriously, we would enjoy the time spent dining in, prior to the pandemic. My friend Abi, who owns the chain of restaurants, has made it very easy to order Sunrise Buckets family trays and individual meals through Grab Food and Food Panda.

PLUS, you can even take home some of their sauces and wings to prepare at home when the craving hits, with the kids, too!

Island Taste Ph

Hope Pacardo, the momma behind this brand contacted me on Instagram and I was so pleased to learn that she also has a little one with an extra chromosome. Somehow, I felt like we knew each other already! This start up focuses on making healthy salads and dressing. Their goal is to reach health conscious individuals with their greens and flavors from the heart.

PS. I’m waiting for Gelli and I to meet Hope and Miggy!

Tita Yam’s Bagoong

My friend Blaise is like a Jack of all Trades. I am so blessed by his friendship, his generosity and his family! YES, I said his family blesses me too. Tita Yam’s Bagoong is made in small batches with Blaise’s mom overseeing every aspect of this salted shrimp paste from start to finish. When I use it in my cooking, I often use both the spicy and the sweet variations equally.

Wanna know a secret? It was Tita Yam’s Bagoong that finally gave me the courage (and my friend Lia) to try my hand at making Bagoong Rice. WOW. Achievement unlocked. I can cook Asian food after all!

San Takoyaki

Remember I said my friend Blaise’s family blesses me? His family are just all so creative and amazing. San Takoyaki is the small business that has grown in spite of the challenges that have obviously affected so many business during the pandemic.

These tiny balls of Japanese goodness are the perfect snack to enjoy with milk tea. I don’t know why, but I want milk tea when I enjoy these little treats.

Our Yellow Kitchen

I actually met Marian years ago, when Patty and I hosted an event for Pine Sol in Sofitel. When she reached out to me on Instagram it was perfect timing, because she wanted us to try her Truffle Mac & Cheese on a day that I was quite busy with a zoom event and was happy to not have to worry about making the kids dinner.

When my event was over, I asked the kids where the mac & cheese was, only to find out that they wiped it out completely! Safe to say that this creamy comforting dish was delicious!

Marian and her sisters came together to share their pasta dishes with friends and family in the south, and it quickly gained traction. I guess it’s easy to see why if we take into consideration why my kids didn’t leave me a bite!!!

Mabini Kitchen

Mabini Kitchen was born from a passion for good food that’s been handed down for four generations. The lockdown opened the door for them to share their passion beyond the usual requests of family and friends. After being recommended from one person to another and referred to one family from another they grew to the specialized bakery that they are today.

Look for their best selling Hokkaido Milk Bread and Croissant Cereal which are cult following favorites.

Crumbs and Grumbs

This PR and Marketing Momma had much more time on her hands once we all went into taking care of the home and not leaving! She started sharing some of her sweet treats with close friends and then eventually (due to the high demand) had to start taking orders to sell. She has minis that are perfect for putting on boards or breakfast tables, and both Gia and I were fighting over her Ube Halaya Puffs, while Miguel devoured all of the Kesong Puti Quiches.

Check out her sugar free vegan options too!

Basilio Homemade

I was turned onto this home kitchen brand, when our favorite tutor, Teacher Mel, shared a couple of bottles with us to try. I loved the tangy pesto cream cheese and pretty much put it on everything until the bottle was finished!

Gahhh. Revisiting all of these delicious dishes and desserts now has me hungrier than ever. I really can’t choose which is my favorite amongst them!

Come back and visit to update yourself on the third and fourth lists of the many ways to enjoy our favorite foods and baked goods at home!

Do you have something that you tried and think is worthy of our new Food in the Time of COVID19 series? Leave a comment below so we can order and try!