Chunky Monkey Vegan Banana Bread Recipe

     I was browsing the Instagram explore feed when I stumbled upon a banana bread recipe. I love bananas and bread that's why I decided to click on the photo and check the recipe. To my surprise, it's not the regular banana bread that's perfect for afternoon tea or coffee. It's vegan! Have you tried this kind of food yet? According to healthline.com, Veganism is currently defined as a way of living that attempts to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, be it from food, clothing, or any other purpose. 

     Therefore, the simplest explanation is that vegan food simply equates to plant-based. In order for you to cook vegan food, all the ingredients must be animal-free, and using plants like fruits, vegetables including nuts, seeds, whole grains, and beans to name a few is what all you need. This vegan banana bread is so easy to make and made up of five ingredients. It's filling because of the whole grains used instead of the usual bread flour. So without further ado, here's my version of Chunky Monkey Vegan Banana Bread Recipe, read more below.

Chunky Monkey Vegan Banana Bread Recipe 

Beef with Mushrooms for Media Noche with the help of PayMaya

     In just a few days, we will be saying goodbye to 2020. What a year it has been! A lot has happened and we are all hoping for a better year ahead of us. But before we write our resolutions, let's make the last day count by preparing a memorable feast at home on New Year's Eve. Not sure what to serve for Media Noche? Check out this simple recipe that you can serve during special occasions at home. It only needs a few ingredients plus it's so easy to make. This is one of our favorite Media Noche food recipes that I'm sure your family will truly enjoy. 

     It consists of less than 10 ingredients that are easy to find in the supermarket. But before we go into the details, did you know that there are exclusive deals that you can get when you pay with PayMaya for your Media Noche groceries? Yes, that's why using your PayMaya account to purchase ingredients for this and other recipes are the most convenient and rewarding way. Let me share the recipe and some tips for a safe and hassle-free Media Noche Celebration to welcome 2021 below!

Beef with Mushrooms for Media Noche

How to Cook Kinamatisang Manok for Your Family

     It has been more than 100 days since quarantine and for us who stayed at home for the longest time (unless we need to go outside for work or essentials), discovering a new hobby or skill became an achievement. I know some are not used to staying at home for three months but those who enjoyed this quarantine made a lot of bonding moments with their loved ones through baking or cooking. As we adapt to the new normal way of living, safety precaution must be observed at all times that's why in order to practice social distancing and minimize contact from the outside world, shopping online is still the best option when buying essentials.

     Did you know that you can purchase groceries via PayMaya online? Yes, that's how convenient to have a PayMaya app installed in your mobile phones especially now that we are avoiding the risk of cash handling. We do our weekly grocery of ingredients like fresh produce, meat, and other food items through online stores and use PayMaya as our payment method. Speaking of cooking, there's one recipe that we enjoyed cooking over and over again because it's made of simple ingredients, easy to cook, and healthy. Sharing the recipe of Kinamatisang Manok after the jump.

How to Cook Kinamatisang Manok for Your Family

Knorr SavorRich Liquid Meaty Seasoning

     Can I call myself a kitchen mom even if I don't know how to cook? I'm not sure if frying and cooking 'tinola' and 'nilaga' will meet the requirements of a certified mom in the kitchen but I'm sure that there are cooking partners that will let you cook like a pro.

     Last Saturday, March 30 at the Greenbelt 3 Open Park, a culinary secret that you can now use at home was unveiled in collaboration with four of Manila’s most sought-after chefs- Knorr SavorRich Liquid Meaty Seasoning. Knorr set-up the Knorr Test Kitchen and featured food from celebrated chefs Nicco Santos of Your Local, Josh Boutwood of Savage and Helm, Happy Ongpauco of Happy Concept Group, and Kalel Chan of Raintree Restaurants.

Knorr SavorRich Liquid Meaty Seasoning

Product Review: Sunnywood Harvester's Rice + Crab Maki Recipe

     Rice is the staple food of the Filipinos and we are blessed because our country can produce different variants of rice that we eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Don't get me wrong, (because of the recent news on rice hoarding) but long before the time our country is indeed gifted in this department. 

     Speaking of rice, there's one brand that I recently discovered and been eating for weeks now. Sunnywood Harvester's Rice has Sinandomeng and Dinorado variant as well as colored specialty rice. I presume that you've seen this brand in the supermarket but you opted to buy the brand with a lower price tag. Let me share some trivia why you need to buy rice from a trusted brand and a simple international recipe using an alternative ingredient from Sunnywood Harvester's Rice:)

Product Review: Sunnywood Harvester's Rice + Crab Maki Recipe
The family who loves eating rice together by Tom Wang/Shutterstock

Get to Know US Dehydrated Potatoes

    Who here loves to eat mashed potatoes? It's one of the staples that's easy to make if you want alternative carbs that are healthy and flavorful. But did you know that when making mashed potatoes, you can use U.S. dehydrated potatoes instead of fresh potatoes?

     US Dehydrated potatoes are a true blue US product made from premium, high-quality potatoes.

Know More About US dehy

Restore Kids' Energy with Potatoes USA

     My son loves fries and this gives him energy especially in times that he needs a quick snack in between school programs. This is great since potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates. However, we always find alternative ways to prepare his favorite veggie so he won’t get used to eating it just fried.

     As parents, we need to make sure that our kids are getting healthy and staying fit throughout the school year and I’m sharing here with you the reasons why you should start adding more potatoes in your kid’s diet.

Restore Kids' Energy with Potatoes USA

Feature: Real California Milk + Milky Sopas Recipe

     When was the last time you enjoyed drinking a glass of milk? Last night, early this morning, or you can't totally remember at all? Even if you're not a milk drinker, I presume that you get your dose of dairy from other products like cheese, yoghurt, and everybody's favorite- ice cream. Yum!!!

     Did you know that dairy is an important part of a healthy diet? Yes, go and get your child's science book and turn to the page of food groups. You'll see that dairy products are on the third layer and an individual must consume at least 3 servings a day because dairy is your great source of protein plus essential nutrients. Dairy is loaded with nutrients and has a delicious taste that the whole family will surely love. Sharing below some of the nutritious benefits of dairy and my milky sopas recipe after the jump!

Feature: Real California Milk + Milky Sopas Recipe
Real California Milk Dairy Products- California cheeses, California Sunshine Homogenized Milk, and Coolhaus Ice Cream

The Perfect Out-Of-Town Baon this Holy Week

     My family and I love to go on out-of-town trips during Holy Week. This way, we also get to de-stress and bond with each other. The kids love going out of town so much. They are more relaxed when they are with nature. 

     That’s why when we go out-of-town, we seek adventures by biking, trekking, and swimming. But this can be so tiring, especially for my high-energy kids! After, we’re all usually so tired that we end up eating an unsatisfying meal.

The Perfect Out-Of-Town Baon this Holy Week

Magnolia Chicken #PambansangManok

     Can you guess who cooks in our house? Nah, not me! It's the hubby :) He's in-charge in the kitchen and cooks breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I know, I'm lucky but that doesn't mean I don't know how to cook. Of course, I know the basics- boil, fry, and simmer. The hubby is the one who taught me my first chicken recipe- Tinolang Manok.

     This Filipino dish is loved by many. One of the comfort foods that Filipinos love to eat especially during the rainy season. The soup warms the tummy and the chicken together with green papaya or chayote is filling. If your family loves to eat chicken, be sure to get the brand that's known for years like Magnolia Chicken. More details on their newest commercial after the jump :)

Magnolia Chicken #PambansangManok

Feature: Alaska #BelatedMothersDay and Pambawi Milk Bread Recipe

     Last Mother's day, Alaska sent me a humongous basket containing their products. I was shocked because it's not the usual package. It was packaged in a super usable basket and came with Te Amo Floristeria custom preserved arrangement. Alaska surely knows how to make Mother's day extra especial with their blogger mail.

     To celebrate National #BelatedMothersDay, Alaska made an online film starring a mother who works as a spa attendant.She comes home to a surprise the day after Mother’sDay. Families with busy moms can celebrate National #BelatedMothersDay by preparing their mom a simple dish using Alaska Sweetened Condensed Milk or Alaska Evaporated Milk. Sharing with you simple recipe from Alaska after the jump!

Feature: Alaska #BelatedMothersDay and Pambawi Milk Bread Recipe

Pork Spare Ribs Tinola Recipe + OPPO F1s Feature

     Hello dearies! I've been trying to cook for the past few months because we temporarily moved to a condo unit but I can't get the hang of it. Hahaha! Good thing I have a husband who loves to cook that's why he's the master of our kitchen.

     For this feature, I'm going to share with you our favorite dish- Tinola but we are not using the usual ingredient. Our default Tinola is made of Pork Spare Ribs. I find it tastier and the meat is tender after cooking it using a pressure cooker. To make this Filipino dish picture perfect, I used my OPPO F1s phone in taking the photo of the ingredients and the finished product. Scroll down to see the recipe and why I recommend OPPO F1s in taking foodstagram-worthy photos :)

Pork Spare Ribs Tinola Recipe  + OPPO F1s Feature

Feature: Sarsaya Oyster Sauce

     Weeks ago, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation organized a press conference to announce the launch of its newest product, Sarsaya  Oyster Sauce. The event was highly anticipated by bloggers and media guests who are fans of their celebrity endorser, Mr. Coco Martin.  My Instagram feed was full of Coco Martin's photo that day so I presumed that it was a very successful launch. 

     Sarsaya Oyster Sauce is concentrated from real oysters, complete with seasonings to provide a delicious blend of savory, sweet and salty taste to any dish. It has a unique brand of oyster sauce that is created to suit Filipino taste and preference, making many Filipino dishes like ginisang kangkong and adobo more flavorful and delicious. Know more about Sarsaya Oyster Sauce after the jump!

Feature: Sarsaya Oyster Sauce 

Hunt's Spaghetti Sauces Recipes

     My body is still in vacation mode. I eat whatever I want and care only of the memories and not the calories. It's already second week of January and I'm still longing for festive dishes at home. Even if the holidays are over, every day can still be a feast worth celebrating with dishes and masterpieces that not only delight families, but also help bring out and year-round cheer around the dinner table.

     Give your loved ones a hearty and tummy-filling experience with Crispy Menudo Lumpia and Seafood Lasagna Roll-ups, all whipped up using Hunt’s Spaghetti Sauces. Yay! Sharing with you simple recipes below :)

Hunt's Spaghetti Sauces Recipes
Crispy Menudo Lumpia and Seafood Lasagna Roll-ups

Contadina Tuyo Pasta in Pesto Cream Sauce

     I have a confession to make, I don't know how to cook dishes. All I know is make breakfast by frying egg and other fried stuff that's why I'm glad that recipes can now be seen online and it makes cooking a lot easier. Aside from this, making flavorful dishes comes easy now with the help of ready made sauces and ingredients. 

     I recently discovered Contadina while watching AFC (Asian Food Channel) thru Nigella Lawson's Contadina commercial and last week, Contadina Philippines sent me a holiday basket containing their products. Looks like the angels planned this and thought it's time for me to level up my kitchen adventure. It's my first time to make a dish and it's a bit challenging because I'll be preparing a holiday dish for my family. But it will be an easy task for me with the help of Contadina products as they offer ready to cook pasta sauces made from natural ingredients. Sharing the recipe below plus a holiday package giveaway from Contadina Philippines!

Contadina Tuyo Pasta in Pesto Cream Sauce