by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 22, 2021 | Bon Appetit
I love eating spicy food. So do my daughter and sister. When I showed them the Purefoods Ready to Eat Bicol Express they were excited to try it.
Purefoods Ready to Eat Bicol Express
But that is just half the household. The other half has a low tolerance for spice but were still willing to try it. This gave me a challenge – how do I prepare this so that it is not so spicy but it will still be delicious?
Home Foodie PH suggestion
Home Foodie PH suggested Bicol Express Pizza so I looked over the recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 pieces store-bought pizza crust
- 1 (450g pack) Purefoods Ready to Eat Bicol Express thawed out in the chiller
- 2 cups mozzarella
- 1 (165 gms) Magnolia Quickmelt cheese
- 1 (100 g) red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 (100 g) green bell pepper, cut into strips
For chili honey
- 1 tbsp. chili flakes
- 1/4 cup honey
Procedure:
- Preheat oven to 450o
- Assemble pizza by spreading Bicol express sauce on each pizza crust surface.
- Add mozzarella and Quickmelt cheese to each crust. Top with Bicol express meat and bell peppers.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cheese has melted.
Makes 16 slices
(Yield: 2 pc 12-inch pizza/1-2 slices per serving)
Sounds simple enough, right? And pizza is a great idea because that much cheese would partially neutralize the spiciness so that the rest of the family can enjoy the pizza, too. Unfortunately, not all the ingredients are readily available in my kitchen. One small piece of bell pepper costs ₱48. Mozzarella cheese is not only expensive but is not readily available in nearby groceries.
What I ended up doing
Substitution is key! 🙂
- I did away with the mozzarella and used cheddar cheese all the way instead.
- Goodbye, bell peppers, I can’t afford you.
- chili honey – I didn’t need to make it or use it as the pizza was flavorful in itself.
- pizza crust – seeing as how I used to work in Shakey’s many years ago, I actually do know how to make a pizza from scratch so I decided to make my own pizza crust.
Below is my recipe for Bicol Express Pizza
Bicol Express Pizza
This is a very simple, easy-to-follow recipe for making a pizza at home from scratch. The crust will turn out soft and pillowy and a pleasure to chew.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: pizza
Servings: 16 slices
Calories: 153kcal
Author: Penny Angeles-Tan
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp instant yeast
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour plus a little extra for dusting later
- 1 pack Purefoods Ready to Eat Viands Bicol Express frozen
- 1 tbsp oil for oiling the pan
- 165 grams cheese or enough to cover the pizza twice
Mix the sugar and the warm water in a mixing bowl until the sugar is melted. Make sure that the water is not too hot then add the yeast. If your water is too hot the yeast will die. Tip: The water should be warm to the touch but won't burn you. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to ferment and form bubbles. If this does not happen that means that your water is too hot and your yeast died so you will have to start again. Add the melted butter (make sure it isn't hot!) and mix.
Sift the flour and salt into the bowl. Make a well in the middle and add the wet ingredients and mix. Keep mixing, this will form into a sticky/tacky dough ball.
Take the dough out of the bowl and put it on the rolling mat and knead for a few minutes. Don't worry about your muscles getting sore because this recipe does not need a lot of kneading. You just need to look at the dough and knead until you see that all the ingredients are well incorporated. From my personal experience, it just takes 10 to 15 times to fold and knead and you are good. It is just like playing with Playdoh.
If you are making a round pizza crust then roll it into a circle with a rolling pin. Take note, though, this recipe makes either two standard size crusts or 1 big crust.
Oil your baking pan/tray on all sides and transfer the dough onto the pan/tray and let it rest. This will still expand. In the meantime, turn on the heat in the oven and wait until it hits around 400F.
While waiting, open your frozen package of Purefoods Ready to Eat Viands Bicol Express and cut it up into several strips. and put the strips in the pot (or pan) with 1 to 2 tbsps of water for thawing and simmering. I like to put it on low to medium heat and simmer it for 8 minutes. Turn off the stove after.
If you want to make a rectangular or square pizza you can use your roller to stretch it down and out more. Don't worry that it is too thin, like I said, it is still expanding. if you decide to make your crust into a rectangle then there is no need to make 2 small pieces as you already have one big one.
Once the oven has hit the desired temperature, place the baking tray on the lowest rack of your oven and bake for 5 minutes.
Take it out of the tray and use a fork to pop and bubbles that formed. Scoop the sauce of the Bicol express onto the crust and spread it. Sprinkle a thin layer of cheese on top of the sauce.
Put the Bicol express meat over the cheese and any other topping you want to put on the pizza such as mushrooms, bell pepper, onions, etc.(3)
Top everything with cheese(4) again then put the pizza back in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
Turn the tray and bake for another 10 minutes.(5)
Your pizza is done and ready to eat.
See the notes after this recipe
Pizza Crust nutrition facts
One slice of the pizza crust is 68 calories.
Purefoods Ready to Eat Bicol Express nutrition facts
As per the packaging, the calories in one serving is 296 calories, but that is assuming 4 servings. Since this is a 16 slice pizza, each slice has 74 calories.
165 grams of cheese divided by 16 = 11.25 calories.
This means that each slice of Bicol Express Pizza = 153.25 calories Notes:
This recipe makes a pizza that is FILLED with ingredients. You can make another crust and split the filling to make 2 pizzas.
- Most cookbooks will tell you to preheat the oven before doing anything else. Personally, I find that a waste of gas so I would recommend not turning on the oven until you actually need it. After all, it doesn’t take too long to heat up.
- Some prefer to thaw first and then cut up but personally, I’ve found that it is easier to cut up meat, especially those with sauces like these ready-to-eat meals when they are frozen. It helps, of course, that I use a cleaver. Since there are so many of us here at home this is my way of making cut-up meat stretch out so that everyone gets to eat.
- Only 3 things are limiting you – budget, available ingredients, and imagination
- I didn’t have any mozzarella so I used cheddar all the way
- If you are using a gas oven this is one way of ensuring that the pizza is cooked evenly. We used to do this, too, at Shakey’s.
The amount of cheese to put is really up to you. I can’t recall the exact weight anymore after all these years but a handful of grated cheese is usually enough to cover a large pizza so for this recipe, you will need 2 handfuls. I think that it would approximately be 165 grams or a small block of cheese.
You can also use cheese squares if you like, but you will likely end up using more cheese if you do. But, as I said, the amount of cheese is completely up to you. 🙂
How did it turn out?
The crust is soft and chewy and delicious and the Bicol express made me very happy. The spice level was just right and the meat was soft and juicy and oh so delicious! My sister even tells me that I could reduce the Bicol express toppings when I add veggies so I could make two rectangular pizzas. Next time I do this I will cut the pieces smaller so that it will be easier to split into more pizzas. 🙂
Try this recipe or make your own. Or, just eat it the Bicol express as is! It is your choice. When I decide to eat this with rice you can be sure it will be over a bowlful of steaming hot rice and probably an egg on top. Breakfast rice toppings, yes! Now I’m hungry again, lol!
Purefoods Ready-to-Eat is available at all leading groceries and supermarkets nationwide. Follow Purefoods on Facebook and Instagram.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 9, 2019 | Events
Shakey’s celebrates mom’s special day with their Send A Shakey’s promotion. It’s that time of the year again when we celebrate the love and sacrifices of mothers, motherhood and maternal bands around the world.
Each one of us have our own super wo-Mom, the one who carried us in her womb, gave birth to us after nine months, played with us, fought with us and raised us to be the best version of ourselves. Every year on the second Sunday of May, we honor and say thank you to our super wo-Mom whose unconditional love we can’t even fathom and whose strength is totally undeniable.
What are your plans to surprise Mom this year besides the traditional flowers and cakes?
Whether you’re at home or living and working abroad, why don’t you surprise Mom with her Shakey’s favorites through Send-A-Shakey’s this Mother’s Day?
All you have to do is visit the Shakey’s website at www.shakeyspizza.ph, click on Send-A-Shakey’s, choose your orders and then checkout conveniently and pay online. You can also include messages of love under Special lnstructions.
You can send that surprise now or order in advance for Mother’s Day through Send A Shakey’s. Just indicate delivery date, time and your Mom’s delivery address. This will save you time and effort from the hassle of last minute arrangements. That’s convenience in just a few clicks!
The Send A Shakey’s promotion was launched recently with Shakey’s endorser, Luis Manzano and Shakey’s President Vic Rosario telling the audience how this promotion works.
So ready to shake up the surprise for your super wo-Mam? Visit www.shakeyspizza.ph now and plan an unexpected, easy and convenient way of honoring your Mom through Send-A-Shakey’s!
Happy Mother’s Day!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 10, 2018 | Food & Beverage
How do you ensure good luck in 2018? It’s simple – surround yourself with family and good friends, spread good vibes, and gather around a heart-warming meal with the people you love spending time with.
This is exactly what father and son Edu and Luis Manzano intend to do this year. Luis has been part of the Shakey’s family since last year and has been renewed to be joined by his father, Edu. Both are known for their playful nature and are mostly followed on social media for their hilarious videos and posts.
They appear in the newest advertisement where Edu is dressed in polka dots from head-to-toe, while Luis debunks this popular belief and shows his dad how to truly get lucky this New Year – by availing Shakey’s hottest 2018 Meal Deal.
Shakey’s president and chief executive officer Vicente Gregorio is very enthusiastic about their new tandem. “Edu and Luis embody the brand in every way, which is why we are excited to welcome them into the Shakey’s family this 2018,” he said. “Guests will surely be lucky with this meal deal since Shakey’s is centered on exceeding their expectations. Each year, it has become a tradition for Shakey’s to offer something more fun and family-friendly with our meal deals, and this 2018 is no different as we present the 2018 Meal Deal,” he added.
With these savings, guests are indeed lucky with Shakey’s 2018 Meal Deal! Get two large Thin Crust pizzas, two platters of pasta, ten pieces of Chicken ‘n’ Mojos, ten pieces Mozzarella sticks, a platter of salad, and two pitchers of iced tea.
And this year, there’s the new addition to their pasta choices – Bacon & Cheese Fusilli Pasta, a deliciously creamy blend of parmesan, mozzarella, and cheddar, plus crispy bacon bits baked with fusilli pasta!
On top of all the fun, you also get a free SuperCard! Experience the full #Lucky2018 by Shakey’s with this sweet deal only for P2,018.
“Since way back, Shakey’s has always been a staple whenever there are family get-togethers and whatnot. I’m really glad and honored to be a part of the Shakey’s family,” said Edu.
For Luis, it is a win-win situation. “I am a big fan of the brand. I tweet about it and constantly order pizza when I’m home or at work,” he said. “Aside from that, I get to work with my dad, which makes it a lot more special,” he added.
Whether it be bonding time with the family, hanging out with the entire barkada, or just simply spending some alone time, you can always count on Shakey’s to give you a great experience.
Now you know how to achieve a #Lucky2018! Spend time with your loved ones, and make it more special by availing Shakey’s 2018 Meal Deal. You will never go wrong.
To learn more about the 2018 Meal Deal, visit their website www.shakeyspizza.ph, their official Facebook page www.facebook.com/ShakeysPH/ and Instagram page www.instagram.com/shakeysph.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 17, 2016 | Food & Beverage
Papa John’s Pizza University Mall branch. Photo credit to www.vozzog.com.
The first time I heard about Papa John’s was when they opened a branch at the University Mall (U-Mall) on Taft near my place of work and I treated my daughter there for lunch. Sadly, that branch is no longer around but then … good news! There are more branches of Papa John’s Pizza now, and even more are opening soon!
Papa John’s current branches
All over the world there are 4,700 branches. Wow! That’s a lot of branches. In the Philippines alone there are currently 16 branches with more to open very soon. So where are these branches in the Philippines, you may ask? Here’s a map and a list for your convenience.
Some of the pizza markers may not appear at first glance as they are in areas outside of the immediate scope of the map. However, rest assured they are there. You just need to either zoom out or drag the map up and down. 😀
Check out the BLUE pizzas.
- Antipolo
- Emraud Square Plaza
- Shell Marcos Highway
- Quezon City
- Banawe (corner NS Amoranto)
- Cubao (20th Avenue)
- Tandang Sora (Berkeley Square, Commonwealth Avenue)
- Tomas Morato (corner Scout Rallos)
- Visayas Avenue
- Xavierville (Nueve Uno)
- Las Pinas (Dona Nena Business Center Building, Alabang Zapote)
- Makati (Jupiter Street)
- Mandaluyong (SM Megamall Building A)
- Marikina (PACLEB Building, Bayan-Bayanan Avenue)
- Paranaque (Don Bosco, Dona Soledad, Better Living Subdivision)
- Pasig (Julia Vargas corner Shell C5 Road)
- Rizal (Ortigas Extension, Taytay)
- San Juan (Wilson Street)
And more branches opening locally are opening soon!
Check out the RED pizzas.
- Baclaran (September 21, 2016)
- Kalaw (September 21, 2016)
- Nangka (September 21, 2016) – 2 branches
- Caloocan (October 2016)
Whew! That’s a lot of branches! You’re sure to stumble into 1 or 2 branches as you traverse through traffic in Metro Manila. 😀 My favorite branch, though, is the one on Tomas Morato. Probably because they have more space (multiple floors, people!) but basically, because it’s near where I live, hehe.
Papa John’s at Tomas Morato corner Scout Rallos Street in Quezon City
Now that you know where to go it’s time to know what you can enjoy while you’re there.
House Specialties
Pizza, pizza, pizza! That’s what Papa John’s is all about. But there are 6 flavors which they proudly say are their specialties: All The Meats, Cheesy Bacon Melt, Chicken BBQ, Chicken Bacon Ranch, Super Papa, and Texas Heat.
The last one I tried was the Chicken Bacon Ranch and I really enjoyed it! Call me weird but I think salad dressing on a pizza is just plain yummy. 😀
Chicken Bacon Ranch … Papa John’s Specialty Pizza
I could be deluding myself when I say this but … one other reason I like it is because it seems the healthiest choice of the 6. 😀
Sides
Pepperoncini
All Papa John’s Pizzas are served with a side of pepperoncini and garlic butter sauce. When I first encountered this I was surprised. That isn’t something that happens in other pizza restaurants. And these are big peppers, similar to the one used in sinigang. I love spicy food but even I approached it with caution.
The first time I took a knife and sliced a small piece and bit into it … and it was good! Spicy yes, but also tart, and crunchy! Then I tried cutting it up and putting it on my pizza and dribbled some hot sauce … even better! In the end I just picked up the next one and munched on it like chips. 😀
Now, if you (like I) can munch on a pepperoncini then you are sure to enjoy this.
Pepperoncini Dynamite
The pepperoncini dynamite! Ta-daaah!!! You’ve likely eaten many pepperoncini in your life whether you’ve realized it or not. But I assure you, they’re nothing compared to Papa John’s Pepperoncini Dynamite. This goodness is bacon wrapped pepperoncini stuffed with cheese sauce for a melt-in-your-mouth surprise.
Personally, I think everything’s good with bacon. 😀
What’s new at Papa John’s?
A lot! Let’s see now… There’s
- chicken popper pizza
- mexican ole – for those who REALLY like it spicy!
- pepperoni buffalo
- fried chicken goodness – which is currently only available at the Jupiter branch
- vegetable stromboli
Not included in the pics above is the pineapple caramel stromboli, which, incidentally, is not yet available in stores but will be soon.
Does seeing all that food make you hungry? But at the same time does it make you worry about your wallet? Not to worry! Papa John’s loves the fact that Filipinos love to eat together and so they have a bunch of promos made especially for groups.
The Promos
I confess, I LOVE promos! Especially when the whole family comes together at home and everyone wants pizza … promos are there to save the day! 😀 Here are Papa John’s super duper awesome promos.
Grab 2 side items for free
Two is better than one! Buy any 14-inch pizza and get 2 sides for free from Friday to Sunday only. Choices for free side items are: 4 glasses of iced tea (dine in only), pepperoncini dynamite, cheese sticks, herbed parmesan breadsticks, single served featured pasta and season wedges.
This promo can only be enjoyed in the store and not for delivery.
Super Duos
Double deal! Get 2 Party Featured Pizzas for only P695.
SINGLE FLAVORS: Cheese Trio, Mexican Ole, Island Spice, Papa’s Deluxe, BBQ Bacon Lovers, Crabmeat Marinara, Pepperoni Buffalo, Bacon Cheeseburger Surprise, Honey Chicken Poppers Pizza.
HALF & HALF: Mexican Ole & Papa’s Deluxe are not available for Dine-In.
Pizza Holiday Mondays
Start your Monday with a bang! Grab our selected regular sized pizza for only P129 every Monday only.
Variants included are Bacon and Cheese, Simply Cheese, Italian Sausage and Cheese Trio. Not available for delivery.
P299 Pizza Party Tuesday
Come to our Happy Tuesdays. Experience our freshest pizza ingredients. Selected party sized pizza for only P299 every Tuesday only.
Variants included are: Chicken Bacon Ranch, Texas Heat, Simply Cheese, Garden Special, The Hawaiian, Pepperoni, Cheese Trio, Cheesy Bacon Melt and Cheesy Margherita.
Available for dine-in, take out, and delivery.
At the end of the day, though, I must confess, these are my favorites.
Creamy crab meat pasta
Pepperoni Pizza
Somedays, I just don’t want to think about what I will eat and these two are no brainers. Guaranteed happiness in every bite. 😀
But the best way to enjoy Papa John’s is with fellow foodies. 🙂
Papa John’s Pizza. Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.
I think I’m going to hop on over to Papa John’s now. Doo dee doo …
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 13, 2016 | Food & Beverage
In a world filled with homo sapiens with stories of homo superiors, Pizza Hut brings to us a pizza superior … the 18″ Xtreme blowout pizza!
Pizza Hut’s 18” Blowout Pizza
The Pizza Hut blowout pizza is superior in every way … superior in size, superior in quality, superior in price, superior in taste! And best of all, it is big enough to share with your family and friends. Think of it as a party pizza. That’s how I see it. 😀
Imagine, if you will … one VERY BIG pizza with 4 flavors on it … Hawaiian (for those who like pineapples on their pizza), Supreme (their classic flavor), Roast beef (yum, yum!), and Sausage and Bacon (come on! Who doesn’t love bacon? :D) With all those flavors in one thick crust, how can you go wrong? The way they slice it, this pizza cuts up to 12 generous slices. Personally, though, I would prefer if they cut it in squares or in a spider cut. That way more people can enjoy all the flavors instead of just 3 slices per flavor.
The Pizza Hut Xtreme Blowout Pizza can be purchased ala carte at P659 or with the Xtreme blowout feast, good for a group of six (6) or more. At P999, P1,299, and P1,499 these Xtreme blowout feasts are very affordable. Photos below are taken from the Pizza Hut website.
If you choose to get your Xtreme blowout pizza ala-carte an add-on of just P99 will get you any of the following selections:
- 2 single servings of spaghetti bolognese
- 2 piece fried chicken with rice
- 1 family size slingers (that’s potato slices to the confused)
- 1.5 liters of Pepsi or Mountain Dew
Movie Tie-in
This unique pizza was created as a tie-in with the upcoming movie from 20th Century Fox, X-Men: Apocalypse. Showing here in the Philippines on May 18, 2016, the Xtreme blowout pizza is a great complement to X-Men: Apocalypse. Here’s a sneak peek of the movie, X-Men: Apocalypse.
Is that all they are offering? A pizza?
The Pizza Hut blowout pizza is already amazing but Pizza Hut elevates their game even more. What more does Pizza Hut have in store for us?
Xtreme blowout special collectible pizza boxes
Let’s start with collectible Xtreme blowout pizza boxes. You read it right … collectible. These beautifully printed boxes would look good mounted on a wall as posters, don’t you think?
The winners of the 2016 Bb. Pilipinas with Mr. Raymund Nobleza, Marketing Officer-in-Charge for Pizza Hut, Mr. TH Lim, Chief Operating Officer of Pizza Hut, and Mr. Tony Rulloda, Marketing Director of 20th Century Fox holding up the collectible Xtreme blowout pizza boxes.
How about the chance to own your very own limited edition Magneto Helmet.
For the grand prize, a vacation at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada! Click here for more details.
The Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada
Consolation prizes include lotsa lotsa Xtreme blowout pizzas. 🙂
The Xtreme Xperience
PIzza Hut Kia Theater’s Mini X-Men
For the mechanics on how to join click here.
And to add some fun to the experience dine-in customers will have the pleasure of being served in costume by some of the Pizza Hut crew. Take a selfie with them and post it on Facetube (hyuk! Inside joke. :D), I mean Facebook. 😀
Selfie with Ronz aka Magneto and the limited edition Magneto helment
For the presscon we were served by mini versions of Magneto, Psylocke (which she pronounced SKY-LOCK, LOL! I guess she does not really know her character) and a female version of Archangel.
These youngsters are so cute! The tallest of them (Ronz aka Magneto) barely reached my eyebrows. 😀 At the end of the presscon I managed to take a selfie with him holding the limited edition Magneto helmet. 😀
Here we our in our group pic with our mini X-Men.
Pizza Hut Blowout Pizza’s X-Men Apocalypse and Xtreme Las Vegas Adventure promos are valid until June 6, 2016. For more information about Pizza Hut’s Blowout Pizza, the X-Men Apocalypse promotion and the Xtreme Las Vegas Adventure raffle, visit www.pizzahut.com.ph or go to Facebook and “like” www.facebook.com/pizzahutphilippines. You can also follow @PizzaHutPhils on Twitter and Instagram, or simply call 911-1111 (Metro Manila) today!
To fully enjoy this Xtreme promo make sure to watch X-Men: Apocalypse at cinemas near you.
Whether you’re at home or living and working abroad, why don’t you surprise Mom with her Shakey’s favorites through Send-A-Shakey’s this Mother’s Day?
The Send A Shakey’s promotion was launched recently with Shakey’s endorser, Luis Manzano and Shakey’s President Vic Rosario telling the audience how this promotion works.
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