Easy Cheezy Party Appetizers

Party season once again, and many homes will surely be open to welcome family and friends to celebrate the holidays. Usually, I find myself stressing out on what to serve our guests whenever we host get-togethers at home. I want to keep things simple and hassle free, especially for me. I'm really just a lazy cook. More often, we just order so it's fast and convenient. On top of delivered meals, I add one or two finger foods to complete the buffet.

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Foodie Friday: Homemade Longganisa, Cheese Pimiento, and Chocolate Spoons

First Friday of the month:  Food Finds

The holiday season is over, but I still can't get over the taste and flavors of the assortment of food I consumed over the past weeks.  I'm thankful for all the goodies we were showered with last month.  There were the usual cakes and pastries, hams and sweets and local delicacies.  For this first foodie post of 2014, I am sharing a few standouts from the yummy treats we received, mainly because they're different and homemade, making them more memorable. =)

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Ovomaltine Crunchy Cream Chocolate Spread

Yesterday, I had my first taste of Ovomaltine - the spreadable version of our favorite Ovaltine choco-malt drink.  It's sweet and thick, crunchy with the Ovaltine granules, and creamy with the chocolate spread.  A wonderful addition to our staple sandwich spreads.

I grew up drinking Ovaltine, so if you're like me, you'll love this crunchy-creamy spread too! Made in Belgium, Ovomaltine also contains vanilla and hazelnut flavors that enhance the rich, dark chocolate cream.

Sorry for all the food posts today, it comforts me esp. when I'm under the weather... 

this is my 3rd and 4th slices. #Ovomaltine #Biscoff #lemongingertea #snack #Mondayblues

That was my Instagram post yesterday with my winning power snack! =) I've been having runny nose and dry itchy throat, and now I think I got the flu.  The timing was perfect when my jar arrived since I was really craving for hot tea and toasted bread for my merienda.  I had my trusty Biscoff cookie butter ready, and now this new Ovomaltine to try on my toast.  I gobbled up 4 slices.  The Ovomaltine spread on toast was scrumptious and decadent!

I can't compare the cookie butter spread with Ovomaltine since they are totally different.  I'm now alternating the various spreads we have at home.  Ovomaltine tastes a bit like Nutella but with more chocolate-y goodness than hazelnut, and mixed with loads of Ovaltine granules for that nice crunch.  I can imagine it will be perfect with bread sticks, cupcakes, and bananas too!

Thanks to Fran of Just Craving for bringing in some Ovomaltine. I bought a jar for PhP490.
Order and inquire here: www.facebook.com/JustCraving

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Mom-Grocer: Cookie Butter on Rainbow Bread

This was my second breakfast this morning:  a spoonful of Biscoff Spread on a slice of soft rainbow bread.  It was past 9 a.m.  Second because I ate a banana much earlier when I prepared the kids' packed meals for school.  Obviously I was still hungry!

Before I took a bite, I found it really pretty with the swirl of colors... so I decided to take a picture and post it on my Instagram, shared on Twitter, and Facebook.  I ate another slice after this.

I never expected it will elicit interest and curious questions from readers and friends! Ahh...the magic of rainbow! =)  I guess there's not too many brands that make this - it's the only one I've seen so far. Not all groceries carry them.  

This is the girl's rainbow loaf made by Olsen's. We bought it last weekend from Cash & Carry, also available in Unimart for PhP 54.00.  It's very soft and chewy, my girl and I love it especially with a dollop of the addictive Biscoff cookie butter.

We've been buying this loaf on occasion just to break the monotony of our usual white bread.  It makes for a more appealing sandwich, don't you think? =)  I also made rainbow pinwheel sandwiches before, and sometimes cut in different shapes and sizes for the girl's snack.

Make your mornings and snacks brighter, have a rainbow sandwich!

When was the last time you had some rainbow? =)

Here's my feature on Biscoff Spread.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Biscoff Spread = Cookie Butter Love

For the love of cookie butter, today's quickie post is brought to you by our (that means the girl and I) addiction to Biscoff spread.

This post has been in drafts for several months now, and the cookie butter craze has been written about many times over, so I thought I won't publish this anymore.

I know I'm late with the post and had to edit this... so, what changed my mind?

Last month, this arrived:
A 3.5-pound jar of Biscoff Spread that my friend bought for me from the US last summer.  I was just expecting the usual 14-oz jar but luckily, she found this value pack at a coffee shop and got this for me.  I was ecstatic!

I first tried Biscoff spread just after New Year's day when my first order arrived from Lorena and Loreta. Around that time, Trader Joe's Speculoos Cookie Butter was all the rage and it went out of stock since the holiday season last year, so I got Biscoff instead.  We finished a jar in less than a month.  I even included it here in My 3 Things.

Don't get me wrong, I really like both brands.  If you give me a jar of TJ's, I'll still take it! =)  But Biscoff is my top pick.

I prefer Biscoff Spread over TJ's Cookie Butter simply because:

• Biscoff has more depth in flavor - you can really taste the scrumptious spice cookie-caramel flavor in the spread
• Very subtle hint of cinnamon
• Slightly sweeter than TJ's, which I like
• More spreadable (but a bit more oily)

See ingredients on the label:

I've been posting photos on Instagram since January and here are just a few that shows how we enjoy our cookie butter - both Biscoff and TJ's.

Spread on toast or pancakes and we're in cookie butter heaven!

Biscuit + Coffee = Biscoff, manufactured by Lotus from Belgium.  You have to read this link with FAQs to learn more about Biscoff.

Can you guess how fast / how long we can finish that 3.5-pound Biscoff jar?

Note:  I bought/paid for all my Biscoff cookies and cookie butter spreads. =)

You can buy yours online via Amazon.com or Biscoff.com

Locally, though stocks are always limited, you can buy from:

Healthy Options

Lorena and Loreta on Facebook

TasteCentral.com

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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My 3 Things: Spreads

#my3things #breakfast

We are not big on breakfast, and I personally don't prepare a full spread for the family.  When I was in college until my early years of working, my mother served rice meals in the morning.  They're usually left-overs the night before or the regular breakfast fares of bacon, luncheon meat, or hot dog with rice!

After I got married, breakfast for us has been bread with a variety of spreads, with a warm cup of coffee or chocolate drink.  Oatmeal and eggs cooked in different ways are a staple too, but most days, we're good with sliced bread and our favorite spreads like peanut butter.

1. Biscoff Spread - Lately, my girl and I have been sharing this jar.  This cookie butter craze hit us big time, and we're hooked!
2. Peanut Butter - My boys still prefer peanut butter - Skippy here is gluten-free too.  
3. Nutella - I, on the other hand, break the usual cycle with Nutella.

I tried my boy's all-time favorite breakfast and snack - Peanut Butter - Banana French Toast with Nutella and Biscoff, and they're equally delicious! Try it out!

What's your #my3things #breakfast?

***

#my3things

To shoot and share photos of groups of things that I use together or consume regularly.  

If you are following me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, you will see #my3things instantly. 

On the blog, you'll learn more about each one, and know the story behind them.  I'll be sharing one photo at a time.  This is another window into the life Mom-Friday. =)

Join me on Instagram and share your 3 things.  Don't forget to use the hashtag #my3things and tag @mymomfriday so I can see them too! :)

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
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Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again! (Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

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