baking – Jellybeans in the City

Why a staycation is the perfect romantic getaway

When couples think of romantic destinations where they can spend much-needed time together, places like Paris, Santorini, and Bali usually come to mind. Beautiful city skylines and beautiful island getaways make excellent backdrops for a romantic getaway since they create the perfect ambiance that helps couples focus on their relationship without a care in the world.

Unfortunately, planning for a romantic getaway usually takes a lot of time to prepare and costs a lot of money. And, for a lot of couples, they simply don’t have the time or budget to make their dream couple’s vacation a reality. Luckily, couples can still create their perfect romantic getaway without having to travel far or break the bank by choosing to go on a staycation at home or in a nearby hotel.

Staycation, which combines the words “stay” and “vacation”, has become increasingly popular not only for singles but for a lot of couples as well. For one thing, staycations give couples the freedom to spend their vacation days however they want without having to worry about following a schedule. It also gives them an incredible opportunity to strengthen and deepen their relationship.

But how exactly can a staycation achieve this? First, let’s delve into the advantages of a romantic staycation and how it can transform your romantic life.

The Advantages

A romantic staycation carries many benefits, some of which may surprise you. Here are some of the advantages of having a romantic staycation at home or a hotel that’s close by:

Comfort and Convenience

Staycations allow you to bypass the stress and fatigue that often comes with traveling. If you’re living in Manila, for example, it’s easier to have a staycation in Pasay or at home because you don’t have to spend long hours in transit or to adjust to a new environment. Instead, you can enjoy the comfort and familiarity of your hometown, making it easier to relax and focus on each other.

Flexibility

Unlike a traditional vacation, where itineraries can be rigid and crowded with various activities, a staycation gives you the freedom to set your own pace. Want to have breakfast in bed at noon or watch movies until the early hours? With a staycation, you can.

Affordability

A staycation can be a more budget-friendly romantic getaway. It eliminates expenses like airfare, expensive meals, and tourist traps, freeing up your budget for other special treats like a fancy take-out dinner or even splurging on a high-end local hotel for a night.

Quality Time

Perhaps the most significant advantage of a staycation is the opportunity to spend quality, uninterrupted time together. Without the distractions and demands often associated with travel, you and your significant other can connect on a deeper level and strengthen your relationship even further.

A Bit of Planning Goes a Long Way

A romantic staycation may be a dream come true, but a bit of planning can take it to the next level. Here are some ideas you can try to turn up the romance level of your staycation to a hundred:

Setting the Mood

Create a romantic atmosphere to make your staycation feel special. This could be as simple as cleaning and decluttering your space, lighting scented candles, or setting up fairy lights for a cozy ambiance. Don’t forget to prepare a playlist of your favorite songs to set the mood.

Food and Drinks

One of the highlights of any vacation is trying new and exciting food. For your staycation, consider ordering from a restaurant you’ve always wanted to try or cooking a special meal together. Pair it with your favorite wine or try making homemade cocktails.

Disconnecting from Routine

To make your staycation truly feel like a romantic getaway, it’s important to disconnect from your regular routine. This means setting an out-of-office email, turning off message notifications, and putting off household chores. Make this time purely about enjoying each other’s company.

The Variety of Romantic Staycation Activities

To make the most of your romantic staycation, it’s a great idea to plan some activities that can enhance your experience and promote bonding. Whether you decide to stay at home or book a hotel room, there are plenty of enjoyable things you can do together. Here are some activities that you might consider to make your romantic staycation more memorable:

Cooking or Baking Together

If you’re at home, try cooking or baking a new recipe together. This not only allows you to enjoy a delicious meal or treat but it also gives you the chance to create shared memories.

Movie Marathon

Choose a series of movies or binge-watch a new series together. To make the experience even more romantic, you can create a cozy atmosphere with dimmed lights, comfortable pillows, and your favorite snacks. This can be done both at home or in a hotel, making it a versatile option.

Game Night

Whether you’re at home or in a hotel, setting up a game night can be a lot of fun. Bring out classic board games, card games, or even video games you both enjoy, and your time spent together will be filled with laughter and playful banter.

DIY Spa Day

You can transform your bathroom into the ultimate spa by simply placing scented candles on the bathroom counter and using aromatherapy sprays. You can even make bath time more romantic by adding some bath salts or throwing in a bath bomb in the tub. When the ambiance is set, you can enjoy a relaxing bath together, give each other massages, or try out new skincare products. This can be a special treat, particularly if you’re in a hotel with a beautiful bathtub.

In a world where we are constantly on the go, a staycation offers a refreshing change of pace. It’s a chance to slow down, appreciate the simple things, and focus on the one you love. With the right planning and mindset, a staycation can provide you with all the joy, relaxation, and romantic connections of a traditional vacation without the hassle.

Make Mother’s Day berry-luscious with Inang Charing’s newest cake creation

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and what better way to show love and appreciation to our moms than through a delicious cake? Luckily, Inang Charing’s Cakes and Pastries, an online bakeshop, has just the perfect treat for this special occasion.

The business inspired by Grandma and adapted during lockdowns

Inang Charing’s Cakes and Pastries was named after the owner’s grandma, who instilled in her a passion for baking. Mylene Capili, the entrepreneur behind the business, started as Dress Up Brownies, selling pastries and cakes to her BPO officemates. Prior to the onset of quarantine lockdowns, Mylene and her partner Bem successfully adapted their enterprise to accept online orders, allowing them to cater to the increasing demand for desserts available for delivery.

From brownies and cakes to custom cakes and more

Today, Inang Charing’s Cakes and Pastries offers a wide range of desserts, including brownies, revel bars, cookies, cakes, cheesecakes, and custom cakes. Mylene’s baking skills have even led her to create her very first three-tiered wedding cake.

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A post shared by Inang Charing (@inangcharing)

These confectionery creations showcase Mylene’s baking prowess, as well as her creativity in crafting intricate cake designs.

The berry-luscious chocolatey Mother’s Day treat

For Mother’s Day this year, Mylene has whipped up a special creation, the Berry Choco Luscious Cake. This delectable cake features a six-inch, three-layer chocolate cake filled with rich chocolate ganache and topped with fresh strawberries accented with edible gold leaf and a gold Mother’s Day cake topper. It’s designed as a naked cake, making it easy to transport via motorcycles for delivery all over the metro.

A perfect cake for moms who don’t like it too sweet

One of the best things about the Berry Choco Luscious Cake is that it’s not too sweet. Mylene made sure to balance the filling-to-cake ratio to ensure that the overall flavor is not overwhelmingly sweet, perfect for those who want to savor the chocolate and berry goodness.

Order now before it’s too late

Cake reservations for the Berry Choco Luscious Cake (available for Php1,250) are only accepted until May 7, so make sure to send a message to Inang Charing’s Cakes and Pastries on Instagram or Facebook as soon as possible. Give your mom the sweetest treat this Mother’s Day with Inang Charing’s newest cake creation.

Disclosure: Product sample was provided to facilitate this feature.

Check out my previous posts about Inang Charing’s Cakes and Pastries:

Inang Charing’s Cakes and Pastries now offers Strawberry Shortcake

Celebrate Carrot Cake Day with this treat from Inang Charing

From fear to flour power: overcoming baking anxiety at IDIM DIY Bakery

Baking is a beautiful artform that brings joy and warmth to people’s homes (not to mention a lot of sweetness!). However, it can be an intimidating task for newbies.

One of the biggest reasons for this is the precision involved in baking. Unlike cooking, where you can adjust the seasoning and taste as you go along, baking requires precise measurements and timing. A small mistake in the measurement or timing can lead to a disaster, and this can be daunting for newbies who are not used to working with such precision.

Another reason why baking can seem daunting to wannabe bakers is the number of ingredients involved. Baking often requires a long list of ingredients, some of which may not be familiar to newbies. This can be overwhelming and lead to a sense of confusion and anxiety. Plus, some ingredients may be expensive, and newbies may be hesitant to invest in them, especially if they are not sure if they will use them again.

Lastly, the equipment needed for baking can also be intimidating to newbies. Baking requires a range of specialized equipment, such as mixers, baking pans, and measuring cups. Newbies may not have all the equipment they need and may be unsure of what they need to buy. Moreover, some equipment can be expensive, and newbies may be hesitant to invest in them, especially if they are not sure if they will continue baking.

Yes, baking can be intimidating, especially if you’re new to it. However, there are many joys to be found in overcoming that newbie’s fear. Here are some of them:

The sense of accomplishment.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of successfully baking your first loaf of bread or a batch of cookies from scratch. Overcoming your fear of baking can give you a sense of pride and accomplishment that will carry over into other areas of your life.

Learning new skills.

Baking is a skill that can take time to master, but the process of learning can be a lot of fun. Discovering new techniques and tricks to make your baked goods even better can feel very rewarding.

The satisfaction of creating something delicious.

Baking is a creative process, and there’s something incredibly satisfying about creating something that not only looks beautiful but tastes amazing too. You’ll have the opportunity to experiment with different flavors and ingredients, and create something truly unique.

Sharing with others.

Baking is a wonderful way to bring people together, whether it’s sharing a warm loaf of bread with your family or bringing a batch of cookies to share with your coworkers. Overcoming your fear of baking can open up new opportunities for you to share your creations with others.

Developing a new hobby.

Baking can be a great hobby to take up, especially if you’re looking for something that’s both fun and rewarding. You’ll have the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques, and develop a passion for baking that can last a lifetime (to the delight of your fam and friends, I’m sure!).

With such benefits awaiting the baking newbie, any fear of baking should be overcome right away! Well, a recently opened bakery in SM Megamall is ready to help do just that!

IDIM (I Did It Myself) DIY Bakery is the first Do-It-Yourself Bakery in Asia which originated in Taiwan and recently made its way to our shores. Currently the number one DIY bakery, it provides a welcoming and supportive environment that helps newbie bakers address their baking fears and build their confidence.

One way in which IDIM DIY Bakery addresses the fear of precision is by providing step-by-step instructions and guidance. Tablets with detailed yet easy-to-understand recipes, complete with demo videos, are provided to the newbie bakers. Experienced baking coaches are also on-hand to help newbies understand the importance of measuring ingredients precisely and guide them through the process. These help newbies feel more confident in their abilities and reduces their anxiety.

On the other hand, IDIM DIY Bakery addresses the newbie’s fear of having to stock up on so many ingredients is by providing a range of premium ingredients already on-hand, easily accessible within the bakery. These include pre-mixes, separated eggs and pre-squeezed juices that newbies need to create delicious baked goods, without having to worry about difficult preparation techniques. This reduces the complexity of the baking process and makes it more accessible to newbies.

Lastly, IDIM DIY Bakery addresses the fear of having to invest in costly baking tools by already providing all the necessary equipment for baking. Newbies do not need to buy expensive equipment or worry about not having the right tools. The bakery provides a wide range of equipment, including mixers, baking pans, and measuring cups, as well as baking coaches to guide newbies through the process of using these gizmos. This helps newbies feel more comfortable and confident in their abilities, and reduces the barriers to entry for baking.

So go ahead and whip up your baking masterpiece that you can bring home to your family and friends; you’ll have all you need at IDIM DIY Bakery.

Please note the following:

No entrance fees will be charged other than the price of your desired cake. Prices listed on IDIM DIY Bakery’s website and menu already cover the fee for the baking session, the ingredients needed for creating the desired cakes or pastries, as well as the usage of equipment. Add-ons like cake toppers, milk tea drinks, etc. are subject to additional charges.
Two people are allowed to bake on a single cake while one person only is allowed for an order of pastry or cookie.
Children need to be at least six years old and 1.2m or taller to enter and bake. To ensure compliance to safety precautions, the child’s height will be measured before entry.
Personal items should be stored in the lockers which are provided free of charge.

IDIM DIY Bakery is located at 4th Floor Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Doña Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10am to 10pm (cut-off at 8pm). Walk-ins and reservations are accepted.

For more information about IDIM DIY Bakery, visit its website or follow it on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Disclosure: A free baking session at IDIM DIY Bakery was provided to facilitate this feature.

Make delicious homemade breads with L’Artisano Premium Artisan Bread Flour

As anybody who has ever lived near a bakery or belonged to the same household as a baker can attest to, there’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked bread.

As one of the oldest prepared food items, bread is a staple in many countries. It can be eaten on its own, topped with breads or as a companion to other dishes likes meats, pastas and soups.

Over the years, bread-making has become commercialized, and a loaf can be easily bought at any grocery store or neighborhood bakeshop.

Still, we can’t help but long for those artisanal breads that we usually see in specialty bread shops and hotel buffets.

And wouldn’t you know it, thanks my trusty Kitchen Aid Mixer and L’Artisano Premium Artisan Bread Flour, baking homemade artisanal bread for the fam is so easy!

Here’s how:

In your mixer bowl, dissolve 1 tbsp of sugar in warm water, then stir in 1 1/2 tbsp active dry yeast. Let the yeast proof for 5 minutes, until it resembles a creamy foam.
Using your mixer’s dough hook, mix in 1/2 cup sugar, salt and oil into yeast mixture. While mixing, add 5 cups of L’ Artisano Premium Artisan Bread Flour, one cup at a time.
Knead the dough for 7 minutes then transfer to a well-oiled bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and allow the dough to rise for 1 hour, until it doubled in size.
Punch the dough down and knead again for 1 minute. Divide the dough into two and place in two greased loaf pans. Sprinkle some olive oil and dry oats on top. Allow the dought to rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake at 175 deg C for 30 to 40 minutes.
Cool, then cut into thick slices. Serve with soft butter or cream cheese or partner with your favorite pasta dish or soup.

L’Artisano Premium Artisanal Bread Flour is premium-quality, unchlorinated and unbleached bread flour that helps me produce a mouth-watering loaf that my fam really loves. I love its ultra-fine texture and the structure it brings to the breads I make.

Grab L’ Artisano Premium Artisan Flour in selected Waltermart Supermarkets and All About Baking Stores in NCR and Provincial Luzon now.

Follow L’Artisano for more quick & easy recipes on Facebook, Instagram and
Youtube.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Elevate your holiday treats with the latest in world-class cooking technology

La Germania shares 3 easy and irresistible dessert ideas to satisfy your sweet tooth and gift your loved ones this Christmas season

The most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner! It’s no secret the Philippines celebrates the earliest and longest Christmas season in the world, especially when this holiday commemorates the 3 things Pinoy families value the most: faith, family and food.

Approaching the holidays, the kitchen comes alive with the hustle and bustle of delicious meals sizzling on the stove and warming up in the oven, filling the house with mouth watering aromas that beg the curious question: “What are we having?”

However, although this is the most beloved holiday, it can also be the busiest and most stressful season for home cooks. Planning and preparing your Noche Buena meals and ordering gifts can not only be time-consuming, but costly as well.

This holiday season, consider going through the personalized route by baking up a storm and serving up some homemade treats that are handmade with love. These dessert recipes are sure to be the perfect gift for your loved ones, or satisfy their sweet tooths during your holiday feasts.

Christmas Cookies

Take a break from your usual chocolate-chip by making special Christmas cookies.

With your La Germania Table Oven, you can prepare these cute and quirky treats that celebrate the festive spirit! With its thermostat control and 60-minute timer, you can whip up the perfect batch to wow the crowd and experiment with a variety of different recipes even if you have a small kitchen space. Don’t forget to leave some for Santa Claus!

Ingredients:

FOR THE COOKIE DOUGH

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp. milk

FOR THE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
5 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp. pure almond extract
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
Food coloring

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set the mixture aside after.
In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy and pale in color. Add egg, milk, and vanilla and beat until combined, then add flour mixture gradually until totally combined.
Shape into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for an hour.
When ready to roll, preheat the oven to 350º and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly flour a clean work surface and roll out the dough until 1/8” thick.
Cut out shapes and transfer to prepared baking sheets. You can use cookie cutters for fun shapes. You can also make your own if you’re feeling creative. Freeze it for 10 minutes (so your shapes hold while baking).
Meanwhile, make the frosting: In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter until smooth, then add powdered sugar and beat until no lumps remain. Add cream, almond extract, and salt and beat until combined.
Bake cookies until the edges are lightly golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
Let cool, then frost and decorate as desired.

Dulce de Leche

You can step up the sweetness this season by making your own Dulce de Leche.

Aside from enjoying it on its own, you can drizzle Dulce de leche on ice cream, add it to your usual brownies, or layer them in smores. There are so many ways to enjoy this versatile dessert, and it will be so easy to make at home with the help of an induction cooker!

A staple in smaller homes, an induction cooker can do a lot of wonders. This heat-tempered glass worktop has a timer and child-lock, meaning you can cook dishes safely and precisely while you bond with your kids in the kitchen.

Ingredients:

8 cups of whole milk
2 to 2 ½ cups sugar (adjust based on your preference)
1 tsp vanilla
¼ tsp baking soda

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients in a large pot over medium-low heat, stir until the sugar or panela is well dissolved. Reduce the heat to low.
Continue cooking until the mixture is significantly reduced and starts to thicken while the color changes from a creamy beige to a caramel tone. It will take between 2 ½ hours to 3 hours for the dulce de leche to be done.
During the first 1 ½ hours you will need to stir occasionally to prevent it from boiling over and sticking. During the last hour, it needs to be stirred more frequently and has to be watched very closely to keep it from burning – you can also decrease the heat to low.
Cook it until it has a dark amber or caramel tone and has a creamy consistency. Keep in mind that it will thicken more when it cools down.
The final product can be served warm or cold and must be kept refrigerated.

Classic Bibingka

A Noche Buena spread is incomplete without the classic Filipino rice cake known as Bibingka.

With your 90cm oven, you can prepare this holiday favorite at home. With its five cooking functions, including a fan-assisted electric oven, you can cook up a storm. Plus, its enamel cavity finish is easy to clean, making the whole cooking process so much easier. Preparing this particular dish may look like a daunting task, but it’s actually pretty easy to make.

Ingredients:

1 cup rice flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup coconut milk
1/4 cup fresh milk
1 piece salted duck egg sliced
1/2 cup grated cheese
3 pieces raw eggs
Pre-cut banana leaf

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, combine rice flour, baking powder, and salt then mix well. Set aside.
Cream the butter then gradually put-in sugar while whisking. Then, add the eggs then whisk until every ingredient is well incorporated.
Gradually add the rice flour, salt, and baking powder mixture then continue mixing.
Pour in coconut milk and fresh milk then whisk some more for 1 to 2 minutes.
Arrange the pre-cut banana leaf on a cake pan or baking pan.
Pour the mixture on the pan, then bake for 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven then top with sliced salted egg and grated cheese (do not turn the oven off).
Put back in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the color of the top turns medium brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool. Brush the dish with butter and sprinkle some sugar on top once it cools. You can also top this with grated coconut.

These are only some of the mouthwatering holiday treats you can prepare with your La Germania kitchen appliances. Built according to the highest European standards in terms of construction and design, La Germania appliances allow you to prepare your Noche Buena extravaganza in an efficient and easy way.

What’s more, as a special holiday treat, enjoy FREE aprons and cookware for a minimum spend of Php 5,000 when you shop on La Germania’s website during their 11.11 sale this November 11-30, 2021. With guaranteed durability and superior quality, they’re a good investment for you to channel your inner chef, and unleash your kitchen genius for all seasons to come!

La Germania products are available online through La Germania’s official e-commerce website www.lagermaniaph.com and e-commerce platforms on Shopee and Lazada. For more information on La Germania and its products, you may follow the official Facebook and Instagram accounts of the trusted kitchen and appliance brand.

About La Germania

Italian-heritage brand La Germania has been the preferred kitchen companion of Filipino homemakers for 53 years and counting. Its wide array of ovens, cooktops, and stoves is made of high-grade materials and designed to stand the test of time and extensive use. La Germania’s current line of products continues to serve the cooking needs and lifestyle of this generation and the next.

Recipes and food images provided by La Germania in a recent press release.

Header photo Freepik.

#QuarantineCookbook: Egg Pie

One of my favorite merienda items back when I was little was the egg pie.

I just love the creamy custard filling that’s perfectly complemented by a buttery and flaky crust.

To this day, I still find myself craving for it from time to time, especially during my coffee break.

While it is readily available in my neighborhood, whether via delivery apps or by dropping by a mom-and-pop bakery, I figured it was best to make it from scratch at home, especially since I got hold of this recipe which seems to easy to make.

Ingredients:

Crust

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small cubes
4 tbsp water

Filling

3 whole eggs
1 egg yolk
1 egg white
1 tsp vanilla
1 300ml condensed milk
1 370ml evaporated milk

Procedure:

To make the pie crust:

Combine flour, salt, sugar and butter in a bowl. Mix until fine crumbs form.
Add the water and mix until a dough is formed. Cover it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Roll out the dough on a flour-dusted board until it is 1/8-inch thick.
Transfer the dough to a lightly greased 9-inc round pan. Trim the excess dough and press the tines of a fork against the edges to create a design, then set aside.

To make the filling:

In a bowl, whisk together three whole eggs and one egg yolk.
Add the vanilla, condensed milk and evaporated milk, then stir well until thoroughly combined.
Strain the mixture twice, then set aside.
In another bowl, beat the egg white until stiff peaks form, thrn gently fold into the filling mixture.

To bake the pie:

Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.
Gently tap the pie pan against your work surface to get rid of air bubbles.
Bake the pie in a pre-heated 180-degree C oven for forty-five to fifty minutes pr until the top turns brown.
Serve and enjoy!

The baking pie filled our home with the sweet scent of vanilla and custard and the fam could hardly wait for it to be fully cooked so we could all dig in.

We polished off the pan in no time at all!

I’ve made this pie for the fam several times already and it’s a hit every time.

Try this recipe yourself and let me know how it goes!