New Year's Eve Dinner at Home

Growing up, one of the practices or superstitions we always hear is having round fruits at the table to welcome the New Year. I remember we will always have grapes, oranges, apples, among others, at our table alongside the usual Media Noche (New Year's Eve Dinner).

Hubby said we should continue the tradition by having round or circular things at our table. It doesn't have to be fruits that we might not eat and might just throw by the end of the week.

Christmas Eve dinner is my family's "big" celebration, so I always struggle to prepare to welcome the New Year. Below is a quick summary of what we did since getting married:

• To greet 2018, we just ordered Domino's Pizza and Timbits
• To ring in 2019, we stayed in Pan Pacific Hotel in Downtown Vancouver and watched the fireworks.
• To start 2020, we did nothing.
• To welcome 2021, we ordered savoury pies, donuts, and Filipino round snacks.

Hubby and I searched for circular or round food the last couple of days and decided to do "breakfast for dinner." So we went to the grocery yesterday and got pancake mix, frozen waffles, bagels, bananas, among other round things that we can find, including chicken balls.

Our menu for tonight includes:

• Blueberry Bagel
• Chicken balls and Waffles
• Pancake with sliced bananas and Nutella

Breakfast for New Year's Eve Dinner

I love the Chicken Balls. Good job, President's Choice.

Happy New Year! May 2022 be a kinder and more blessed year for all of us. Cheers to more food adventures and hopefully travel. Stay kind, healthy, and safe.

Where to get the Best Filipino Food in Metro Vancouver?

I am a Filipina based in Vancouver and I love to eat. In this year-end blog post, I will make a list of famous Filipino dishes and food and where I recommend you get it.

Send me a message in Facebook or Instagram if you have a recommended restaurant that I should try or a specific dish you're looking for.

Best Pandesal: Aling Mary's

📍Aling Mary's Filipino Store & Bakery at 2656 Main St, Vancouver, BC V5T 3E7

Half-dozen Pandesal from Aling Mary's

Best Taho: O! Taho

📍O! Taho at 4223 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5V 4G2

Taho from O! Taho

Best Siopao: Bao Bakery

📍Bao Bakery at 5115 Joyce St, Vancouver, BC V5R 4G8

Half dozen of Chicken Deluxe (Bola-Bola) Steamed Buns

Best Filipino-style Spaghetti: Shameless Buns

📍 Shameless Buns at 5772 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5W 2Z5

Filipino Spaghetti from Shameless Buns

Best Ensaimada: Ensaimada Moments

📱 Ensaimada Moments on Instagram

Two Boxes of Assorted Ensaimada from Ensaimada Moment

Best Mamon: KayeBakes.ca

📱 KayeBakes on Facebook and Instagram

Assorted Mamon Box from KayeBakes.ca

Best Ginataang Bilo-Bilo: Ilocos Fride

📱Ilocos Fride on Facebook and Instagram

Ginataang Bilo-Bilo
Ilocos Fride Description: A dessert or snack made with glutinous rice balls, plantain bananas, sweet potatoes, and tapioca pearls cooked in coconut milk.

Best Lumpiang Shanghai: Little Ongpin

📍 Little Ongpin Restaurant at 4093 No 5 Rd, Richmond, BC V6X 2T9

Lumpiang Shanghai

Best Filipino-style Pork BBQ: Klasik Inasal and Noodle Express

📍 Klasik Inasal and Noodle Express at 650 E Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5T 1X6

Pork BBQ

Send me a message in Facebook or Instagram if you have a recommended restaurant that I should try or a specific dish you're looking for.

Lunch from Lin Chinese Cuisine

We were deciding where to order food for today. We need meals that can last us until the end of the week. I thought of having pizza, but I am just not feeling it. So we end up ordering Chinese food from our favourite Chinese restaurant: Lin Chinese Cuisine.

Lunch from Lin Chinese Cuisine

Pan-Fried Pork Buns

Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai Juicy Pork Dumplings)

Hunan-Style Braised Pork

The Hunan-Style Braised Pork reminds me of the Filipino dish Humba because of the fattiness and general consistency of the sauce. It was unexpectedly delicious and I usually stay away from anything fatty.

Spicy Ma-Po Tofu

I wish the Spicy Ma-Po Tofu has more flavour.

The end of 2021 is almost here, and the whole year felt like a blur.

Dinner from Ramen Gojiro

Happy Sunday! We didn't do any Boxing Day shopping today, which is a first. Instead, we had errands to run, went to Trees for cheesecake, did window shopping at nearby Indigo, and went straight home.

I told hubby I wanted ramen for dinner because it's below freezing outside. So I ordered from one of my favourite restaurants Ramen Gojiro.

I ordered two Original Karaage because it's my absolute favourite and dipping it in the Spicy Ramen broth is fantastic.

Dinner delivery from Ramen Gojiro

Ramen Spicy Chashu

Yuzu Shio Ramen

The Yuzu Shio Ramen is hubby's order, and it's a clear, smooth broth. It's pretty enjoyable.

Because I was feeling greedy, I ordered Pork Katsu Curry Don.

Pork Katsu Curry Don

We ate some of it, but most became leftovers with Chicken Karaage. Perfect for breakfast tomorrow!

Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake from Trees Cheesecake + Organic Coffee

This year, I have tried more than a handful of the seasonal cheesecake from Trees Cheesecake + Organic Coffee.

• Matcha Cheesecake last June 6
• Taro Cheesecake last June 26
• Mango Cheesecake last July 18
• Peanut Butter Cheesecake last September 11
• Pumpkin Cheesecake last October 10
• Banoffee Cheesecake last November 28 (no blog post)
• Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake today

My previous favourite was the Matcha Cheesecake. It's so good, but the Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake and all the nuts inside is just to die for.

Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake

The Best 2020 Seasonal Cheesecake from Trees Cheesecake + Organic Coffee

We didn't do any Boxing Day shopping today, but we went to Trees to enjoy the seasonal cheesecake and have our annual planning meeting.

Christmas Eve Dinner from H-Mart at Home

Every year my sister picks a place on what we'll have for Christmas Eve dinner. This year we had Korean cuisine, specifically Korean BBQ, at home. We purchased a grill, marinated meat, and side dishes.

Christmas Eve Dinner

Below is a list of our past "cuisines":

• 2020 - Chinese Food
• 2019 - French Food
• 2018 - Spanish Food
• 2017 - Japanese Food
• 2016 and 2015 - "Italian" Food (really it's Pizza and my mom's Spaghetti)

After dinner, we played some games then did Karaoke while waiting for midnight. Finally, at midnight, we had our annual tradition of exchanging gifts. It's so much fun to be with everybody. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Lunch from Japadog Drive-Through

Happy Friday and almost Christmas! 🎄 Today my parents picked us up from our place. We're going to celebrate Christmas at their place. Before heading there, we went grocery shopping at H-Mart in Richmond. Our theme for Christmas dinner is Korean cuisine.

After grocery shopping, we dropped by Lansdowne because my sister had to buy a tripod, and since my mom was already starving, we grabbed lunch from the Japadog.

My mom thought we should eat at the food court inside Lansdowne, but I am still paranoid about COVID, so buying a food truck and bringing it home seems the best idea.

Left: Kurobuta Terimayo and Kurobuta Okonomi
Right: Karaage and Wagyu Beef Terimayo

The Kurobuta Terimayo and Kuronuta Okonomi are for my parents, while hubby and I ordered Karaage and Wagyu Beef Terimayo. Surprisingly, I didn't enjoy the Karaage, and I think that's the first Japadog I didn't order.

We also ordered four different Shaked Fries flavours: Butter & Shoyu, Shichimi & Garlic, Aonori, and Black Pepper. I think the Butter & Shoyu is still the best. However, if you want something spicy, the Shichimi & Garlic is a delicious option.

For future me, here's a list of Japadog based on the menu in the McArthurGlen location with a link to which ones you've tried.

1. Kurobuta Terimayo
2. Kurobuta Okonomi
3. Kurobuta Oroshi
4. Kurobuta Love Meat
5. Spicy Cheese Terimayo
6. Yakisoba
7. Ebi Tempura
8. Tonkatsu
9. Hot Spicy
10. Yakiniku Rice
11. Croquiette
12. Karaage (today)
13. Wagyu Beef Terimayo (today)
14. Avocado
15. Cilantro

• Goma Miso Turkey Hotdog (not in the McArthurGlen menu)
• Kobe Beef Terimayo (not in the McArthur Glen menu)

Black Forest Filled Ring Dream Donut from Tim Hortons

Happy Thursday! I had to pick up a package at the nearby FedEx location and decided to order any new dream donut at Tim Hortons.

Black Forest Filled Ring Dream Donut

I am glad that the donut itself is not dry. The inside is filled with what I presume to be cherry, and the other half is chocolate-filled. Is it something I'll order again? Not really.

Dinner from Tim Hortons

We also ordered dinner of large chilli with whole wheat homestyle bun, grilled cheese melt, and Old Fashioned Plain Donut. The Old Fashioned Donut from Lee's Donuts is so much better, but they don't sell it anymore.

Today is the last workday for the week for me and the last workday for the year for hubby.

For references, below are the previous dream donuts we've tried.

• Dulce de Leche Dream Donut from early 2020
• Chocolate Hazelnut Éclair Dream
• Sea Salted Caramel Dream
• New York Cheesecake Dream Donut
• Strawberry Shortcake Filled Ring
• Vanilla Cream Puff Filled Ring
• Apple Pie Dream Donut
• Penguin Dream Donut

Dinner from RedBeef Noodle Kitchen

To say that Redbeef Noodle Kitchen is our second favourite restaurant in Vancouver is an understatement. It's the only restaurant we ordered more than three times this year, and we absolutely love their food. It hits a different spot.

Dinner feast from Redbeef Noodle Kitchen

Curry Chicken Cutlet Rice and Curry Beef Rice

I like the Curry Chicken Cutlet Rice, and it's so nice that the curry sauce is in a separate container. It's like enjoying Chicken Cutlet Rice and having the option to dip it in curry sauce. The Curry Beef Rice is for hubby, and it's so good. I recommend the Curry Beef Rice over the Chicken if you want curry.

Salt & Pepper Popcorn Chicken

My absolute favourite (and must-try item) from Redbeef is the Salt & Pepper Popcorn Chicken. It's still so good.

Steamed Creamy Custard Buns

I was hoping the Creamy Custard Buns would be sweet, but it tasted like salted egg yolks. It's delicious, but not something for dessert.

Malay Sponge Cake

This is another favourite from Redbeef. It's so soft, and in general, I love sponge cakes and chiffon cakes. Hmmm, so good.

Lunch from Le Coq Frit

Hubby and I are in "lockdown" 🤣. I attended a dinner with more than 20 people in Burnaby, and the restaurant didn't check vaccination cards. So we will stay home for 14 days and see if we develop any COVID-19 symptoms. If we don't (I hope we don't), we will head to my parents for Christmas Eve dinner.

With that said, this weekend, instead of going out, we ordered in. I was browsing DoorDash, figuring out where and what to order. We don't have any specific cravings, but I found Le Coq Frit. It's a relatively new restaurant along West Broadway. We pass it by a few times when walking to and from church.

I ordered a lot of things which are to be expected.

Lunch from Le Coq Frit

Our delivery arrived in beautiful bags.

Our delivery arrived in reusable bags, which we kept.

Chicken & Croffles
Croissant waffles with Boneless Thigh Real Crispy Chicken, Jalapeno, and Spicy Mayo.

It's my first time trying croffles, and it's so awesome. It's essentially croissants shaped like waffles. It's flakey and buttery. The Real Crispy Chicken is delicious as well. I wish I had ordered more.

9 pieces Original Black Chicken Wings
Coated with Sweet, Savoury, and sticky Soy-Based Sauce

The "Original Black Chicken" tastes like Korean fried chicken. It's sweet and savoury. We loved it and will gladly order it again.

9 pieces Original Red Chicken Wings
Nashville Hot Chicken

The "Original Red Chicken" is spicy. Hubby said it's too hot and we will not order again. The only thing we didn't try from their menu is the Sweet & Spicy Chicken. I can't wait to visit the store soon.

Classic Signature Chicken Burger
Made with French Artisan Brioche Buns, Chicken Breast, Greens, Pickles, and House Sauce

Is it wrong that I will order the chicken burger as well? I can't wait to try it with another chicken flavour to see if it'll make it better or worse.

French Fries
Deep-fried until golden brown, then sprinkled with seasonings

This is not your typical french fries with just salt. It's actually good.

Yam Fries
A golden crispy, delicious side for burgers.

It's your standard yam fries.

Onion Rings

The onion rings are the only thing I can't recommend. Unfortunately, I didn't like it. Thankfully, everything else was delicious. Can't wait to order from Le Coq Frit again.

Week 12 of HelloFresh

This week is the last week we're ordering from HelloFresh for the year.

Cantonese-Style Noodles with Beyond Meat
This tasty veggie knock-off has it all! Tender peppers, chewy chow mein noodles and green beans, all tossed in a glossy salty soy and hoisin sauce!

One-Pot Mexican-Style Quinoa and Black Beans with Lime Crema
This Mexican-style one-pot wonder is jam-packed with veggies and flavour, making this the perfect dinner for any night of the week.

Creamy Paprika Chicken with Sweet Peppers on Buttery Mash
This comforting dish builds slow-cooked flavour, that will have you dreaming of Oma's chicken paprikash, in a fraction of the time. Juicy chicken thighs and sweet bell peppers are a classic pairing for the rich tomatoey sauce.

Beef and Roasted Red Pepper Ragout with Spaghetti
The twist on the classic spaghetti bolognese is a winner! The ragout is packed with tender ground beef and tons of flavour. Topped with a fresh sprinkling of Parmesan, this dish will have everyone in your home going back for more.

This is my last HelloFresh post for the year. In 2021, I ordered fifty two (52) HelloFresh meals in a span of 12 weeks.

Bacon and Mushroom Linguine with Spinach and Thyme
Beef and Roasted Red Pepper Ragout with Spaghetti
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Toasted Pine Nuts and Baby Tomatoes
Cal Smart Caper-Dill Dressed Salmon with Couscous, Tomatoes, and Spinach
Cal Smart Chipotle Pork Chilli with Poblano Peppers and Cheddar Cheese
Cal Smart Harvest Beef Soup with Cream and Potatoes
Cal Smart Italian Wedding Soup with Turkey and Parmesan
Cal Smart Turkey Chilli with Lime Crema
Cal Smart Stewed Harissa Chicken with Peppers and Feta
Cantonese-style Noodles with Beyond Meat x2
Carb Smart Chipotle Beef Chilli with Poblano Peppers and Cheddar Cheese
Carb Smart Moroccan-Style Shrimp Stew with Zucchini, Feta and Almonds
Carb-Smart Stir-Fried Beef with Green Beans and Peppers
Carb Smart Tagliata Steak Salad with Basil Pesto and Arugula
Chinese-Style Beef Bowl with Garlic-Ginger Rice and Green Veggies
Chicken Tikka Masala with Peppers and Garlic Rice
Chorizo Taco Bowls with Lentil Red Rice and Lime Crema
Chow Mein-Style Chicken with Mixed Veggies
Classic Turkey Meatballs with Spaghetti and Parmesan
Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini with Mushroom and Peas
Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo with Spinach and Peppers
Creamy Paprika Chicken with Sweet Peppers on Buttery Mash
Gochujang Sugar-Glazed Shrimp with Seasoned Rice
Golden Thai-Style Chicken Curry with Chow Mein
Ground Turkey Navarin Stew with Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Kale and Black Bean Quesadillas with Fresh Tomato Salsa and Crema
Loaded Veggie Penne with Olives and Bocconcini
Mediterranean Falafel Sandwich with Tzatziki and Side Salad
Mediterranean Gnocchi with Bocconcini and Oregano
Not Noona's Chicken Cacciatore with Cavatappi and Basil
One Pot Italian Sausage Soup with Cream and Potatoes
One-Pot Mexican-Style Quinoa and Black Beans with Lime Crema
Rigatoni and Chorizo in Rose Sauce with Roasted Peppers and Spinach
Sausage and Broccolini Pasta with Fresh Penne
Shrimp Chow Mein with Bok Choy
Shrimp Diavolo Linguine with DIY Chili Oil
Spanish Chorizo and Chickpea Stew with Kale, Peppers, and Spiced Croutons
Spicy Kung Pao Chicken with Peanuts and Ginger Rice
Spicy Lamb Noodles with Honey Chili Drizzle
Squash Ravioli and Roasted Red Peppers with Spinach Salad
Summer Turkey Bolognese with Basil and Zucchini

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bowls with Green Onion Rice
Sweet 'n' Sour Chicken with Veggie Fried Rice
Tomato Garlic Beef Spaghetti with Sweet Pepper and Zucchini
Tomato Garlic Beef Spaghetti with Sweet Peppers
Tuscan Sausage Linguine with Sweet Bell Pepper, Chili, and Parmesan
Veggie Bulgogi Bowls with Meatless Farm and Gochujang Fried Rice
Veggie Black Bean Curry with Lime-Coconut Quinoa
Veggie Chilli with Tortilla Chips and Sour Cream
Vietnamese-Inspired Basil Beef with Peppers and Garlic-Lime Rice
Zucchini and Lemon Linguini with Basil Pesto and Goat Cheese

Silvanas from The Khaykery | "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!"

Where to get Silvanas in Metro Vancouver?

Happy Wednesday! I opened our fridge today and realized we still have a box of assorted Silvanas from The Khaykery which we got from "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!".

Six Silvanas in a beautiful pink box.

Ta-da!

Taking my first bite. Yum!

10 minutes later - it's gone.

We surprisingly enjoyed the Silvanas. Yay!

Kwek-Kwek from Plato Filipino | "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!"

"Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" is an annual Christmas Market organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver. It's my first time going with my husband, mom, and younger sister this year.

Where to get Kwek-Kwek in Vancouver?

Plato Filipino is such a happy store. My mom, sister, and I ordered a lot of dishes. I had to stop myself at three while my mom just kept pointing at everything. 🤣

I ordered turon. It's my favourite Filipino dessert and I got lumpiang shanghai as well because why not and right before we leave their booth outside has kwek-kwek and barbecue. My sister was excitedly saying, "Ate, kwek-kwek! Kwek-kwek!" 🤣

Kwek-Kwek and Lumpiang Shanghai

Turon

I placed all items we purchased in the air fryer. It came out perfect as expected.

Dinner at Acqua Restaurant + Bar

I had a busy Saturday. We were running errands all morning, and at around noon, we were buying food from the "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!".

I had dinner with former colleagues organized by the previous company I worked for in the evening. It's pretty awkward to be in the same room with employees who resigned and are still working for the company, to say the least. However, it's nice to see colleagues who became friends.

I had two drinks: Pacific Breeze and She Sells Sea Shells.

Pacific Breeze
Coconut water, iced tea, muddled mint, and lime.

She Sells Sea Shells
Sparkling wine, sweet vermouth syrup, lemon, orange, and soda

For an appetizer, I ordered the Calamari. Meanwhile, for my entree, I selected the Seafood Garganelli Pasta.

Seafood Garganelli Pasta
Salmon, prawns, mussels, pesto, and white wine herb cream sauce (served with garlic bread)

Calamari
Peppers, jalapenos, tartar sauce, and chipotle aioli

To end the evening, I enjoyed a Lava Cake.

Lava Cake
Warm chocolate cake covered with summer berries and ice cream

The food was acceptable. It's nothing to go crazy about, but the portions are small that's why we had to order appetizers and entrees. The drinks were excellent though.