avocado – Jellybeans in the City

#GuiltlessGoodness with Koomi Yogurt Cakes, now in cups!

Nothing tastes more like summer than biting into fresh and luscious fruits. We never fail to look forward to their fruity sweetness bursting over our tastebuds and the feel of their succulent textures inside our mouths.

Well, what if those fruits were crafted into very Instagrammable cakes? They would be a feast for our eyes, as well as the tastebuds, right?

That’s what Koomi did when it released its picture-worthy yogurt cakes.

Koomi is an Australia-based chain which specializes in combinations of natural probiotic drinking yogurt with various fresh and wholesome ingredients to produce yummy and icy drinks. It opened its first shops in the Philippines in 2019, bringing its signature #GuiltlessGoodness to yogurt drink lovers in the metro.

It introduced its yogurt cakes in 2020, which now come in several flavors which incorporate our favorite fruits, and, of course, Koomi’s signature probiotic yogurt. And now, they come in solo-sized cups, perfect for a quick dessert anytime!

Waterberry Wonder Yogurt Cake.

Layers of moist, gluten-free almond cake, juicy watermelon, yogurt cream and topped with fresh strawberries and chopped pistachios.

Choco Moo Yogurt Cake.

Layers of dacquoise, chocolate yogurt, yogurt cream and mango slices drizzled with chocolate syrup.

Avo Nice Day Cake

Layers of dacquoise, avocado yogurt and yogurt cream topped with chopped pistachios.

So if you’ve got a hankering for that sweet and inimitable taste of summer, get some #GuiltFreeGoodness and cake out with a Koomi Yogurt Cake in a cup!

Drop by any of these Koomi outlets:

Pasig: The Podium, Unimart Capitol Commons
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Quezon City: Robinsons Magnolia, SM North EDSA, Robinsons Galleria, Z Square Mall, Ali Mall, Ayala Malls Vertis North, SM Fairview, Timog Avenue, Mezza Residences, Fisher Mall, Hemady Square, White Plains, UP Town Center, Maginhawa
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia, Double Dragon
Taguig: SM Aura, Uptown Mall
Manila: SM San Lazaro, SM Manila, Lucky Chinatown
San Juan: VMall Greenhills
Alabang: Festival Mall
Makati: SM Jazz, Glorietta 4, Salcedo Village
Malabon: Fisher Mall
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Paranaque: SM Bicutan, BF Homes
Rizal: SM Taytay, Robinsons Place Antipolo

Koomi also delivers via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Stay updated on Koomi’s offers and promos, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts about Koomi:

Koomi Tagaytay — Guiltless goodness in Tagaytay: Koomi

Koomi New Branch — Koomi’s #GuiltlessGoodness now in my neighborhood!

Miguelito’s Avocado Locco

With the impending approach of those sweltering summer days, it’s time we explore ways to cool ourselves down.

A perennially favorite method of doing so is indulging ourselves with our favorite ice cream flavors. My fam’s preferred flavors happen to include avocado.

Avocados see much use in desserts here in the Philippines. Aside from its creamy richness and distinct flavor, this fruit pairs well with sugars like cane, honey and other sweeteners, resulting in delicious avocado flavored desserts.

To sate the Pinoy’s love for the avocado and avocado-based desserts, Miguelito’s Avocado Locco serves up various tasty iterations of the avocado ice cream at its many stalls in the metro.

I ordered some for my family’s meriend through FoodPanda. These include:

Avocado Oreo (Php110). Avocado ice cream with chopped avocados topped with crushed chocolate cookie crumbs and Miguelito’s special cream.

Nutty Avocado (Php120). Chopped avocados topped with avocado ice cream, sliced almonds and caramel sauce.

Avocado Sago (Php120). Sweetened small pearls and chopped avocados topped with avocado ice cream and Miguelito’s special cream.

Avocado Cheesecake (Php140). Chopped avocados cream cheese and sliced almonds topped with avocado ice cream and caramel sauce.

With these avocado ice cream treats so easily accessible, we’re in for some cool and delicious times this summer!

This Miguelito’s Avocado Locco stall is located at Second Floor, SM City East Ortigas, Ortigas Extension, Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig City.

To keep updated on Miguelito’s Avocado Locco’s latest promos and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo credit: Avocado photos by Dominika Roseclay from Pexels

Guiltless goodness in Tagaytay: Koomi

One of the happiest discoveries of the family’s Tagaytay sojourn is the presence of one of our favorite yogurt drink stores at the nearby Ayala Malls Serin.

Koomi is an Australia-based chain which specializes in combinations of natural probiotic drinking yogurt with various fresh and wholesome ingredients to produce yummy and icy drinks.

If you haven’t tried Koomi drinks yet, you definitely should mainly for two reasons:

They are so good for you. Yogurt aids in digestion, boosting immunity and is rich in nutrients that promote bone health.
They taste so good. Flavored with natural sweeteners like fruit honey and enhanced with fruits, nuts and other healthy ingredients, Koomi drinks are yummy concoctions meant to be heartily enjoyed.

I took the opportunity during a supply run in Ayala Malls Serin to take out some delicious Koomi drinks for the fam, such as:

I opted for the Aussie blend, resulting in drinks with a very pronounced tanginess. However, Koomi also offers a Filipino blend which has cream added to the mixture, a flavor profile more aligned to the Pinoy palate.

Tagaytay vacationers (and residents, of course!) sure have some guiltless goodness to enjoy with this Koomi branch.

It’s located at Ayala Malls Serin, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway Brgy. Silang Crossing East Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120.

In Metro Manila, Koomi branches are located at:

Pasig: The Podium, Unimart Capitol Commons
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Quezon City: Robinsons Magnolia, Eastwood City Mall, SM North EDSA, Robinsons Galleria, Z Square Mall, Ali Mall, Ayala Vertis North, SM Fairview, Timog Avenue, Mezza Residences, Fisher Mall QC, Hemady Square, White Plains, UP Town Center, Maginhawa
Makati: SM Jazz, Glorietta 4, Salcedo Village
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia, Double Dragon Plaza
Manila: SM San Lazaro, SM Manila, Lucky Chinatown
Taguig; SM Aura, Uptown Mall
San Juan: VMall Greenhills
Muntinlupa: Festival Mall
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, BF Homes
Malabon: Fisher Mall Malabon

Guiltless goodness for the fam from Koomi

If you want a break from your usual milk teas and coffee frappes, then you might want to consider yogurt drinks from Koomi.

This chain got its start in Australia, showcasing natural probiotic drinking yogurt combined with fresh ingredients in healthy and tasty icy drinks.

Yogurt is definitely good for you: it aids digestion and is high in calcium so it’s good for your bones.

Add in healthy natural sweeteners like fruit honey and you’ve got a wholesome drink to cool you down and nourish you. The drinks have winsome names, too, which will bring a smile to your face as you enjoy them.

In one of the last sweltering Sunday afternoons of November, I decided to treat the fam to Koomi drinks which, thankfully, just became available in our area through GrabFood’s long-distance delivery.

These included:

Avo Nice Day (Php187). Natural drinking yogurt blended with fresh avocado and fruit honey. My perennial order because I love avocado-based drinks so much!

You’re the Berry Best (Php154). For the Hubby who takes over cooking chores for me and always factors my snacks into his food delivery orders, I got this blend of natural drinking yogurt, strawberry and fruit honey.

Mango Moo (Php143). My daughter #ExhibitA is nuts about mango so she requested for this blend of natural drinking yogurt, fresh mangoes and fruit honey. Here’s a hack: she mixed some crushed grahams from my baking supplies into the drink and made herself a yogurt-y mango float.

Chewy Chewy Oats (Php143). For my little boy #ExhibitB who missed his breakfast cereal, I got this blend of natural drinking yogurt, chewy oats and fruit honey.

Stick-on-Me Purple Rice (Php138). I introduced my yaya to the wonders of Koomi with this signature concoction of natural drinking yogurt, purple sticky rice and fruit honey.

Since I opted for the Aussie blend for these drinks, they all feature a more pronounced tanginess of the yogurt. If you’re not into that, you can always opt for the Filipino blend which has cream added to the mixture to align the drink to Pinoy tastebuds.

So if you’re in the mood for a different kind of drink that will give you guiltless goodness, do give Koomi a try. It has stores in The Podium, Robinsons Magnolia, Eastwood City Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Power Plant Mall, SM Aura, Double Dragon Pasay, SM San Lazaro and VMall Greenhills.

You may also course your order through GrabFood like I did.

#QuarantineCookbook: Homemade Avocado Ice Cream Cake

Relief from this summer’s oppressive heat and humidity is few and far between.

It makes me want to cool down with some frozen treat. How about you?

Well, since I recently learned how to make homemade ice cream, I set about learning how to add a twist to it: make it into a cake!

And of course, I just had to try it with my favorite fruit: the avocado!

This fruit has been having quite a resurgence lately, appearing in a variety of trendy and previously unheard-of dishes from toasts to pastas. However, the avocado’s real siren call to me is as a dessert. Its rich and creamy texture, as well as its earthy flavor make the avocado absolutely sensational when sweetened, making it a great showcase ingredients for desserts such as this homemade avocado ice cream cake.

It turned out to be so easy!

Ingredients:

For the crust:

2 cups crushed Christia toasted bread (can be replaced by an equal amount of crushed Graham crackers)
1 stick of softened butter
3 tbsp white sugar

For the ice cream:

1 cup avocado puree (made by pureeing the flesh of two ripe avocados in a blender)
1 300ml can of condensed milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream

Procedure:

In a bowl, combine the crushed Christia toasted bread, butter and sugar. Press the crumb mixture onto the bottom of two 6″ x 2″ cake tins then set aside.

In another bowl, mix together the avocado puree, the condensed milk and heavy cream at low speed until the ingredients are well-combined and the mixture begins to thicken.

Increase the mixer speed to medium and continue mixing until the mixture forms stiff peaks.

Transfer the mixture into the prepared cake tins, gently pressing the mixture into the containers and smoothing out the top using a spatula.

Freeze for at least six hours or overnight.

What you get is a wonderful creamy blend of avocado sweetness and crumbly buttery crust with each spoonful. My kids (and I!) absolutely love it!

Well, it sure looks like I’ve got new favorite dessert!

Plus, wouldn’t you know it! You can use this recipe to make other fruit-based ice cream cakes! You might need to adjust the amount of condensed milk you use depending on the native sweetness of the fruit you’re using. Check them out:

Mango!

Banana!

Strawberry!

If ever you need to bring dessert to a potluck party or want to give out ice cream cakes as gifts, you know you can always whip ’em up in a jiffy.

Which fruits would you like to make into homemade ice cream cakes? Try this recipe with your favorite fruit and let me know how it turns out.

PS: Truth be told, the recipe originally called for Graham crackers but after scouring through three supermarkets looking for this out-of-stock item, I decided to use Christia toasted bread as a substitute. It had a buttery flavor and a more crumbly texture that went well with the ice cream. Still, if you want a more conventional crust for your ice cream cake, you may opt to stick to the crushed Graham crackers.

Looking for other easy-to-cook dishes to try out while in quarantine? Check out my other recipes:

Quick and yummy desserts at Avocadoria.PH

Long before it made its way on top of toasted bread and became a trending food item, I’ve been a fan of the avocado.

Avocado has a rich and creamy texture and an earthy flavor that becomes phenomenal when sweetened which makes it an ideal showcase ingredient for desserts.

Local dessert chain Avocadoria.PH took advantage of this fruit’s qualities and designed frozen dessert items that can be enjoyed by avocado fans quick and easy.

These include:

Avocado Lover (Php110 for 8oz | Php125 for 12oz). My favorite among Avocadoria.PH’s offerings, this consists of layers of homemade avocadonice cream, crushed biscuits, tapioca pearls, avocado chunks, chopped almonds with a bit flax and chia seeds.

Avocado Shake (Php170). An ice-blended drink made with avocado served with tapioca pearls, topped with chia and flax seeds, chopped almonds and fresh avocado.

Avocado Senyorita (Php98). Premium avocado ice cream covered in dark or white chocolate and studded crunchy pieces of premium nuts.

Given these examples, is there any doubt on why the avocado is among my favorite fruits?

Avocadoria.PH branches in the metro are located at:

Pasig: Tiendesitas, SM Center Pasig, Robinsons Metro East, Ayala Malls The 30th, Ayala Malls Feliz
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall, Shangri-la Plaza, EDSA Central Pavilion, SM Light Mall, Forum Robinsons
San Juan: Greenhills Shopping Center
Quezon City: Robinsons Galleria, Eastwood Citywalk 2, Ali Mall Cubao, Farmers Plaza Cubao, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Ayala Malls Vertis North, Fisher Mall, SM North EDSA, Walter Mart North EDSA, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Robinsons Novaliches, Ayala Fairview Terraces
Marikina: SM City Marikina, Riverbanks Center, Ayala Malls Marikina, Dona Aurora Parang
Taguig: Market! Market!, Food District Signatures on the 5th
Makati: Ayala Mall Circuit, Glorietta 3, Philamlife Tower, San Lorenzo Place Condominium
Manila: The One Grand Center Sampaloc, Robinsons Place Manila, SM City San Lazaro, Lucky Chinatown
Pasay: Ayala Malls Manila Bay,
Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, SM City BF Paranaque, SM City Sucat
Caloocan: SM Center Sangandaan
Malabon: Fisher Mall
Valenzuela: SM City Valenzuela
Las Pinas: SM Southmall, Vista Mall Las Pinas, Ayala Center Las Pinas
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center, Starmall Alabang, Festival Mall, Ayala Malls South Park Alabang

Check out my reviews of other dessert shops in the metro:

Avocado Ice Cream Cheesecake from Avocadoria.PH

Avocado remains one of my favorite fruits ever.

Some of my favorite foodie memories when I was growing up involved my mom preparing a simple dessert made of avocado, sugar, evaporated milk and ice cubes. This was done only within the rainy season because that’s the only time avocados are available.

Now, thanks to modern farming technology, fresh avocados are readily available practically throughout the year.

It also gave rise to the popularity of avocado-based desserts such as those found in Avocadoria.PH.

This dessert chain prides itself on its delicious dessert products made with fresh avocados and other premium ingredients. It also helps local avocado farmers by creating possibilities for use of their harvests and by recycling discarded avocado skins to be mixed with fertilizers used by the farmers.

For foodies like me, it provides more ways to enjoy our favorite fruit.

Take the Avocado Ice Cream Cheesecake (Php550), for example. It’s a great pasalubong for the family or a gift for loved ones during special occasions.

Made with smooth and creamy avocado-flavored cream cheese filling on top of crushed graham crackers and topped with a layer of white chocolate studded with chopped nuts such as pistachios, almonds, cashews and walnuts, every spoonful of this cheesecake is a study in delectable contrasts of tastes and textures.

I’d love to get my hands on another tin of this lovely dessert so I can sate my avocado craving again!

This Avocadoria.PH stall is located at Level 1, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City.

Other stalls in the metro are located at:

Pasig: Tiendesitas, SM Center Pasig, Robinsons Metro East, Ayala Malls The 30th, Ayala Malls Feliz
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall, Shangri-la Plaza, EDSA Central Pavilion, SM Light Mall, Forum Robinsons
San Juan: Greenhills Shopping Center
Quezon City: Eastwood Citywalk 2, Ali Mall Cubao, Farmers Plaza Cubao, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Ayala Malls Vertis North, Fisher Mall, SM North EDSA, Walter Mart North EDSA, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Robinsons Novaliches, Ayala Fairview Terraces
Marikina: SM City Marikina, Riverbanks Center, Ayala Malls Marikina, Dona Aurora Parang
Taguig: Market! Market!, Food District Signatures on the 5th
Makati: Ayala Mall Circuit, Glorietta 3, Philamlife Tower, San Lorenzo Place Condominium
Manila: The One Grand Center Sampaloc, Robinsons Place Manila, SM City San Lazaro, Lucky Chinatown
Pasay: Ayala Malls Manila Bay,
Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, SM City BF Paranaque, SM City Sucat
Caloocan: SM Center Sangandaan
Malabon: Fisher Mall
Valenzuela: SM City Valenzuela
Las Pinas: SM Southmall, Vista Mall Las Pinas, Ayala Center Las Pinas
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center, Starmall Alabang, Festival Mall, Ayala Malls South Park Alabang

Check out my reviews of other dessert shops in the metro:

Dreamin’ of my avocado at Avocadoria.PH, Greenhills

What a lovely time to be alive!

We inhabit a period of time when we can enjoy the previously highly seasonal avocado.

Now practically ubiquitous, the avocado has made its way to salads and sandwiches. For me, however, nothing beats avocado for dessert.

Luckily, we now have Avocadoria.PH which hypes up avocado desserts, and how!

Take its Avocado Dream (Php90), for example. It’s made of creamy avocado ice cream stuffed into an eco-friendly avocado shell and topped with a humungous ball of pastillas truffle which serves as the avocado seed. This dessert is both visually arresting and tasty.

Plus, avocado is quite healthy, too! Check out how it can be good for you:

Contains vitamins K, C, E and Folate
Is rich in antioxidants and heart-healthy fats
Contains more potassium than banana
Supports liver function and eye health
Is high in dietary fiber

No wonder then that the avocado is my favorite fruit and desserts made from it are among my faves as well!

And wouldn’t you know it: there’s an Avocadoria.PH kiosk in V-mall where I was loitering about so I got to enjoy this dessert quick and easy!

Why don’t you give it a try?

This Avocadoria kiosk is located at the Second Floor, V-Mall, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan.

Other kiosks may be found at:

Quezon City: Eastwood Citywalk 2, Robinsons Galleria, Ali Mall Cubao, Farmer’s Plaza, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Fisher Mall Del Monte, SKY Garden SM North EDSA, Waltermart North EDSA, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf Balintawak, SM City Fairview, Robinsons Novaliches, Ayala Fairview Terraces, Ayala Vertis North
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila, SM City San Lazaro
Pasig: Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls the 30th
Makati: Ayala Malls Circuit, Philamlife Tower Salcedo, San Lorenzo Place Condominium
Marikina: SM Marikina, Ayala Malls Marikina,
Mandaluyong: EDSA Central Pavilion, Forum Robinsons
Taguig: Market! Market!, Food District Signatures on the 5th
Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, Victory Food Market Baclaran, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, SM City BF
Caloocan: SM Center Sangandaan
Malabon: Fisher Mall Malabon
Valenzuela: SM City Valenzuela
Las Pinas: SM Southmall, Vista Mall
Alabang: Alabang Town Center, Starmall Alabang, Ayala Malls Southpark

Check out my reviews of other dessert shops in the metro:

Avocado Lovin’ at Avocadoria.ph, Ayala Malls Vertis North

Anyone who knows me knows that I love avocados. When I was a child, I used to look forward to the rainy season because that’s when I know avocados get in season. I would pester my mom to buy as many avocados as she can which should would then make into a dessert by adding sugar and evaporated milk to the avocado chunks in a bowl.

Nowadays, they seem to be available all year (yey me!) and are even getting made into fabulous desserts such as those offered at Avocadoria.ph.

Avocadoria prides itself on the quality of its avocado-based products as well as its drives for sustainability. It showcases produce from local farmers and ensures that waste is minimized by adding the discarded skins to fertilizers and providing the seeds to partner farmers for planting.

Aside from its laudable advocacy, it also elevates the avocado-eating experience by combining the fruit with ingredients that enhances its taste and texture.

The Avocado Lover (Php110 for 8oz | Php125 for 12oz), for instance, is a delectable dessert made layers of homemade cream and biscuits, tapioca pearls, avocado chunks, crushed almonds and a dashes of flax and chia seeds.

The contrasts of textures and the complementing flavors make for a crave-worthy frozen treat.

This Avocadoria kiosk is located at the Basement, Ayala Malls Vertis North, Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City.

Other kiosks may be found at:

Quezon City: Eastwood Citywalk 2, Robinsons Galleria, Ali Mall Cubao, Farmer’s Plaza, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Fisher Mall Del Monte, SKY Garden SM North EDSA, Waltermart North EDSA, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf Balintawak, SM City Fairview, Robinsons Novaliches, Ayala Fairview Terraces
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila, SM City San Lazaro
Pasig: Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls the 30th
Makati: Ayala Malls Circuit, Philamlife Tower Salcedo, San Lorenzo Place Condominium
Marikina: SM Marikina, Ayala Malls Marikina,
Mandaluyong: EDSA Central Pavilion, Forum Robinsons
San Juan: V-Mall Greenhills Shopping Center,
Taguig: Market! Market!, Food District Signatures on the 5th
Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, Victory Food Market Baclaran, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, SM City BF
Caloocan: SM Center Sangandaan
Malabon: Fisher Mall Malabon
Valenzuela: SM City Valenzuela
Las Pinas: SM Southmall, Vista Mall
Alabang: Alabang Town Center, Starmall Alabang, Ayala Malls Southpark