mac ‘n cheese – Jellybeans in the City

Holiday Epic Feast for the fam at Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar, Eastwood Mall

Hooray for the holidays!

We’re now at the final stretch of the year and it’s time to slow down and spend time with the people we love.

If we’ve been too busy hustlin’ and bustlin’ over the course of this year to catch up with our folks over a good meal, this period gives us the perfect opportunity to do so.

That’s exactly what I did with my extended fam at the Peri Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar branch at Eastwood Mall in Libis, Quezon City.

Here, my folks and I enjoyed a laid-back and comfy setting in which we can let loose and go on a fabulous flavor adventure together.

And with its Holiday Epic Feast Chicken & Riblet Grupo, a delicious curation of the restaurant’s best-selling specialties, there’s something for every family member to discover and love.

Of course, the star of this feast is the restaurant’s very own speciality: the Peri-Peri Chicken. This dish originates all the way from Africa, where peri-peri, the pepper which lends the dish its name is cultivated. Together with other spices and herbs, this pepper flavors the special mixture where a whole chicken is marinated overnight, then charcoal-grilled to a gloriously golden hue prior to serving, accompanied slices of lime.

The restaurant is also known as a sauce bar, and rightly so, given that it carries eight signature sauces, all made with natural ingredients, to add new dimensions of flavor to its signature chicken dish. Representing various international flavor profiles, the sauces range from mildly sweet, to medium spiciness and hot. Diners can choose any of these sauces (or mix and match them!) to tailor-fit their meal to their palate.

Well, the flavor adventure doesn’t stop there. The feast also features hefty hunks of BBQ Bourbon Riblets, tender and meaty barbecued ribs glazed in smokey bourbon infused sauce.

Being a lightly-spiced rice dish, Java Rice is the perfect companion to grilled and barbecued dishes. This feast brings eight cups of them, guaranteeing a filling meal for the whole fam!

Here’s a confession: half the pleasure of eating grilled meat is wolfing it down between bites of one’s favorite side dish. For the eight regular side dishes included in the Holiday Epic Feast, I opted to include the fam’s all-time go-to side dishes: Bacon Mac ‘n Cheese, Coleslaw, Fries and Mashed Potatoes.

Completing the meal are a liter each of the restaurant’s refreshing house-blend drinks: Iced Tea and Lemonade.

Would you believe that you too could treat the fam to such a deliciously filling Holiday Epic Feast for just Php1,999, saving you Php620? This meal is good for eight to ten persons, giving you the perfect opportunity to gather your nears-and-dears and enjoy a lovely meal.

Planning a more intimate get-together with the barkada? You can opt for the Holiday Epic Feast Chicken & Pasta Grupo, good for four to five persons for Php1,399 (which saves you Php255). This meal includes one whole chicken, one pasta to share, four cups of Java Rice, four regular side dishes and one liter of houseblend drink.

This Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar is located at the Second Floor, Eastwood Mall, 116 Eastwood Avenue, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 11pm, Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 12am and Sundays from 10am to 11pm.

Other Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar outlets are located at:

Las Pinas: Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Ayala North Exchange, Greenbelt 3
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Manila: Robinsons Place Manila
Marikina: SM City Marikina, Gil Fernando Avenue
Muntinlupa: Alabang Town Center
Paranaque: Ayala Malls Manila Bay
Pasay: Resorts World Manila
Pasig: SM City East Ortigas, Ayala Malls Feliz, Capitol Commons, Robinsons Galleria
Quezon City: Gateway Mall, Robinsons Magnolia, UP Town Center, Trinoma Mall, Banawe, Brittany Square
San Juan: Promenade Greenhills
Taguig: Uptown Parade BGC, Market! Market BGC, Venice Grand Mall

To enjoy this feast at home, order from Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken’s delivery website or call +63 2 73747374 for Metro Manila orders and +63 917 7747374 for provincial orders.

To know more about Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, browse through its website , or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out my previous posts on Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken:

Peri Peri Chicken, SM East — Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, SM City East Ortigas

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Tomas Morato

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Capitol Commons

Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar, Gil Fernando Marikina

Delish family dine-in with Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken’s Hearty Flavor Feast

Fam faves at RACKS, Entertainment City

Now, why would my Pasig City-based family be in this restaurant on the other end of the metro on a weekend?

The answer’s pretty simple: we just finished a round of shopping at the IKEA nearby and we didn’t want to wait in line for its in-store restaurant.

Having espied this RACKS branch upon leaving the furniture store, I just knew that this is where the fam can sate our hunger quite happily. After all, eating at RACKS is always something the entire family agrees on.

Here are three reasons why:

1. It’s a place for casual and comfortable dining.

Surprisingly, RACKS is a homegrown brand but the look and feel of the restaurant is of the American Southwest from the wide and open layout, brick architectural features and farm-style decor, among others.

Smoking meat, essentially barbecue, after all, is an American tradition.

However, RACKS was actually launched by auto magnate Wellington Soong, exclusive distributor of Jaguar, Land Rover and Maserati in the 90s. It was then acquired by the Prieto family (the same group behind Shakeys, Tia Maria and Via Mare, among others) in the mid-2000s.

The new owners instigated some changes, such as transitioning the look of the restaurants from the all-white, country-style theme, to a more homey farmhouse style which is still in place in all of its outlets in the country, this branch included.

2. Its signature barbecue sauces just makes everything better.

Among the things RACKS is known for is its own-brand barbecue sauces. Available in two variants – Original and Extra Hot – these sauces are the perfect condiments to bring out the flavors or RACKS smoked ribs.

These sauces accompanies all orders in the restaurant but can also be bought by the bottle for Php340.

(Cooking hack: my mom also uses it as a marinade for her Crispy Tadyang recipe.)

3. Our family already has its go-to orders here.

Having patronized RACKS since its launch in the 90s (Hubby and I even had a few of our dinner dates in some branches), it’s no wonder that we have established our fast faves from its menu.

Our meal, of course, is centered around RACKS’ Classic Pork Ribs (Php495 quarter | Php775 half | Php1,565). Hickory-smoked in a blend of herbs and spices to achieve that rich and smokey flavor. Given the appetites of my family members, only a full rack can satisfy us.

Our order of Classic Pork Ribs is served with a two side dishes and we opted for our faves, tangy Coleslaw for Hubby and myself and snackable Mac ‘n Cheese for the kiddos.

In other restaurants, we could have had an appetizer of a plate of onion rings but not in RACKS. Oh, mo! Here, we start our meal with a sizable Onion Brick (Php345).

Our meal also includes our preferred grains: Java Rice (Php85 single | Php425 platter) for Hubby and the kids, and Garlic Rice (Php85 single | Php425 platter) for me.

Completing our meal is a Pitcher of House-blend Iced Tea (Php295).

Is it any wonder the fam tends to gravitate towards RACKS for a fuss-free yet delicious family meal?

This branch is located at Aseana Square, Entertainment City, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Tambo, Parañaque.

Other Metro Manila branches are located at:

Las Pinas: SM Southmall, Evia Lifestyle Center
Makati: Paseo de Magallanes
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Manila: Robinsons Place Ermita
Muntinlupa: Festival Mall
Paranaque:
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia
Pasig: Tiendesitas
Quezon City: UP Town Center, Timog Avenue, Trinoma Mall, SM North EDSA
San Juan: Greenhills Shopping Center
Taguig: The Fort Strip

To know more about RACKS or to order online, visit its website. To stay updated on its promos and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Deliciously healthy meal at home with Kenny Rogers Roasters’ Roasted Chicken Group Meal

If you want to treat your family to a delicious meal right in the comforts of your home, then a Roasted Chicken Group Meal from Kenny Rogers Roasters should be right up your alley.

After all, for over 25 years, Kenny Rogers Roasters have been synonymous with great-tasting roasted chicken. It is also known for serving deliciously wholesome and healthy food.

It’s not surprising, then, that I find it so convenient to just order from this chain during those times when I want to treat them to a nice meal without me having to slave away in the kitchen, or having to burn a hole in my wallet.

This is why I consider Kenny Rogers Roasters’ Roasted Chicken Group Meal an absolute steal!

It all starts with the Classic Roasted Chicken.

Considering the many flavors and dishes that Kenny Rogers Roasters has launched since its arrival in our shores in 1995 focus may have been taken from its OG roasted chicken variant.

For me, though, this is the building block of so many flavorful possibilities that Kenny Rogers Roasters have introduced since its launch in 1995.

Flavored through a citrus-based marinated then roasted to perfection and seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices, the resulting flavorful and juicy dish has become the preferred chicken rotisserie for diners with discerning palates.

A perfect companion for roast chicken is, of course, the gravy which enhances its flavor and texture.

Complementing the roast chicken are four regular side dishes, giving a variety of flavors and textures to enjoy with the meal. My family’s go-to sides are coleslaw – to add a fresh and tangy counterpoint to the savory chicken – and Mac ‘n Cheese – for a rich and cheesy addition to the meal.

Upgrading the four cups rice to Java rice for Php13.60 per cup is also a great way to introduce some variety to the meal and level up the flavor game of the roasted chicken.

Four corn muffins, offshoots of Kenny Rogers Roasters’ American Southern origins, bring new dimensions of enjoyment for the dish. To some, these muffins are a side dish; to me, they’re dessert!

And lastly, 1.5 liter soda completes the group meal.

This deliciously filling group meal can be enjoyed by the family for just Php1,060.

Order it now for delivery at kennyrogersdelivery.com.ph or through Kenny Rogers Roasters delivery hotline +63 2 85559000, as well as via GrabFood, FoodPanda and Pick*A*Roo.

For more details about its offers and promos, follow Kenny Rogers on Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter.

Check out my previous posts about Kenny Rogers Roasters:

Eggs-perience eggs-tasy with Kenny Rogers Roasters’ new Salted Egg Chicken line

Chimichurri makes a comeback at Kenny Rogers Roasters!

Delicious and nourishing goodness at Nono’s Comfort Kitchen, S Maison

Sometimes, we just need a little bit of comfort every once in a while, more so, I think, on weekends.

It can be because we’ve had a terrible week, or we’re feeling some trepidation for the one that’s ahead of us. Whatever the reason, we can’t begrudge ourselves a little bit of indulging comfort to either soothe our nerves or to bolster them.

Especially, if that comfort comes in such a delicious form as it does at Nono’s Comfort Kitchen.

After touring Lakbay Museo before it closed its doors in S Maison, my daughter #ExhibitA and I decided to have our lunch at this chic little cafe located at the Atrium. Despite being located literally in the middle of all the action, it had a cozy feel to it that made us want to spend some time there.

Nono’s is actually named after founder Chef Baba Ibazeta-Benedicto’s father. His moniker was first used to name the chef’s famous confectionery creation, Nono’s Chocolate Oblivion but the menu soon grew to include other deliciously heartwarming and nourishing viands such as those we enjoyed during our meal.

Fried Truffle Cheese Wontons (Php185). Crispy fried wontons stuffed with mozzarella and cheddar cheese then drizzled with honey and truffle oil.

Nono’s Home-Style Fried Chicken (Php365 solo | Php685 big plate). Crispy boneless chicken fillet served country style with gravy and honey along with a dinner roll, fries and corn on the cob.

Mac ‘n Cheese (Php395) with added Bacon (Php125). Al dente shell pasta baked with a sauce made with gruyere, sharp cheddar and parmesan and topped with crispy bacon.

Nono’s Chocolate Oblivion (Php175). This is the cake that started it all: moist chocolate cake layered with whipped chocolate cream and topped with walnut praline bits. No wonder it was named one of Spot.PH’s top ten chocolate cakes of 2019.

With this awesome blend of sweet and savory flavors, my daughter and were able to savor our comforting foodie haven.

Know more about Nono’s Comfort Kitchen from its website or get updates on its latest offers by following it on Facebook and Instagram.

This Nono’s Comfort Kitchen branch is located at Atrium, S Maison, Marina Way Seaside Boulevard, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay, open daily from 10am to 10pm for dine-in, takeout and delivery. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 915 7530819.

Other branches are located at:

Level 1, Phase 1B, U.P. Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Second Level, The Podium Mall, 12 ADB ave. Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Ground Floor, Three Central, Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Upper Ground Floor, Expansion Wing, Festival Mall, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Lower Ground Glorietta 2, Glorietta Complex, Ayala Center, Makati City
Ground Floor, Phase 1, Abueva Entrance, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, cor.Aseana Ave, Paranaque City
P1 Level, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Dr, Makati City
Upper Ground Floor, Uptown Mall, 9th Avenue corner 36th Street, Uptown Bonifacio, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Ground Floor, 26th St., High Street South Tower 1, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
G/F KL Tower, Gamboa, Legazpi Village, Makati
Upper Ground Floor, Crystal Corridor, Pearl Wing, Okada Manila, New Seaside Dr, Entertainment City, Parañaque City

Nono’s Comfot Kitchen also delivers via GrabFood, FoodPanda and Pick*A*Roo.

Nashville-style chicken from Ray’s Hot Chicken, Malate

Nashville, Tennessee is the home of country music, Taylor Swift and a special kind of fried chicken.

The famous Nashville Hot Chicken got its moniker from its flaming spiciness, owed to the cayenne pepper-infused paste applied to the fried chicken.

It’s said to have a pretty interesting history too. Back in the 1930’s, the girlfriend of womanizer Thornton Prince III served him fried chicken for breakfast after his night of carousing. She heavily doused the chicken with cayenne pepper, hoping that the resulting dish will be too hot for the Lothario. However, he ended up liking it so much that he and his brothers developed their own recipe and opened the first many hot chicken joints in Nashville.

Today, the Nashville Hot Chicken is considered one of the city’s most popular attractions. This dish is commonly served as a freshly fried quarter chicken breast, doused in a cayenne pepper paste on top of two bread slices with a side of pickles and the diner’s choice of sauce among varying degrees of hotness. In the spirit of Thornton’s love for late-night shenanigans, the Nashville Hot Chicken proved to be popular among late diners.

The good news is that we Pinoys don’t have to go halfway across the world to get a taste of this Nashville import, thanks to the newly launched Ray’s Hot Chicken. With a dine-in and delivery store along Taft Avenue (right next to sister-store Zark’s Burger) and delivery outlets in Eastwood City, BF and Makati, Ray’s Hot Chicken is now ready to serve the biggest and baddest chicks to the metro.

Heat levels include Weak, No Spice, Sweet Yet Spicy, Nashville Hot and F*ckin’ Hot.

Check out some of its best sellers!

Dirty Nachos (Php169). Crunchy nachos topped with chili con carne, cheese sauce and corn kernels.

Nashville Hot Double Chicken Sandwich with Bacon (Php379). A meaty combo of two hot chicken breasts topped with crispy bacon between buttery brioche-like buns

Sweet Yet Spicy Hot Chicken Sandwich (Php189). Don’t let its dash of sweetness fool you; this sassy sandwich still has a lot of spice!

F*ckin Hot Wings (Php299/8 pcs). Well, there’s hot and then, there’s f*ckin’ hot. When it comes to these flavorful, juicy and spicy wings, how brave are you? (Tip: get several bowls of rice ready.)

If you still have some extra room in your tummy (or you want to take a rest from all those cayenne-fueled spiciness), grab a serving or two of classic sides such as Corn (Php45) or Mac ‘N Cheese (Php45), then wash your meal down with an icy glass of minty Nojito (Php50).

So if you feel you can take the heat, why not get yourself some of these Nashville-style spicy deliciousness from Ray’s Hot Chicken?

Ray’s Hot Chicken is located at Ground Floor, Burgundy Building, Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila, open daily for dine-in and delivery.

Other outlets open for delivery via GrabFood are located in Eastwood, BF and Makati.

Disclosure: Food items were delivered to facilitate an honest review.

Check out my posts on other chicken places in the metro:

#QuarantineCookbook: Easy Mac ‘n Cheese

Last Sunday morning, in a bid to stop me from buying a mass-produced mac ‘n cheese packet when we went grocery shopping (or probably to flex his cooking muscles yet again!), Hubby promised me that he would make some macaroni and cheese for me and the kids.

Fast-forward to the afternoon of the same day, my Significant Other is bustling about in the kitchen (in between watching scenes from his latest Korean drama binge-fest) to make what was arguably my daughter #ExhibitA’s favorite macaroni dish.

Macaroni and Cheese (affectionately called Mac ‘n Cheese by its aficionados) is a dish of cooked macaroni pasta in cheese sauce (normally cheddar). Traditionally, this dish is baked in an oven as a casserole but it may also be prepared on a stove using a saucepan. Or you can just add water to a packaged mix and zap it in the microwave.

Similar dishes have been around in Europe since the 14th century. Since then, Mac ‘n Cheese have grown in worldwide popularity, even being considered comfort food in the US.

In his valiant effort to provide the fam with a filling snack that Sunday afternoon, Hubby improvised on an existing Mac ‘n Cheese recipe he found online.

Ingredients:

2 cups of uncooked macaroni
4 cups of milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup parmesan
1/4 cup grated processed cheese
2 tbsp butter

Procedure:

In a large pot, bring the milk to a boil.

Add the macaroni into the pot, stirring constantly for about ten minutes until the pasta is al dente. The milk would have been greatly reduced by then.

Turn off the heat, add in the cheddar and mix well.

Then add butter, parmesan and grated cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve while hot.

I love how milky and creamy this pasta dish is. And, well, Hubby’s version is way better than the packaged mix. 🙂

Try this recipe out the next time you want a yummy snack or appetizer, or when you need to contribute something hearty to a family potluck and let me know what you think.