Beat the Summer Heat with Mr. Hat Gulaman!

Things have been on record high temperatures and the Philippines is experiencing El Nino right front and center. Our dreams of just spending summer in the beach may have to take the back seat, or just proceed with caution... perhaps do something else and make it sweet and refreshing!

Your summer should still be colorful, whether it be in a glass full of your favorite Halo-Halo, or a bright Sago't Gulaman, you can only think of one thing in the grocer, and that's Mr. Hat Gulaman!

I've been using this for years now and even got my sibling in Europe some of it so he could remember home. It's a sweet reminder of time with family, with friends, and is a versatile ingredient in various desserts that we often do as sweet tooth's. It comes in different flavors like lychee, orange, strawberry, and I've done so many recipes with this over the years.

It's Local!

For those who don't know, Mr. Hat Gulaman is actually a local product. This is made by Seanluc Inc. known for making quality food and beverages for the Philippine market. It's also au naturelle, as it's from seaweed extract combined with sugar, flavorings and different colors. They also have unflavored Mr. Hat Gulaman so if you plan to make other desserts that require that, there's always options! This comes in 7 flavored and 6 unflavored versions, so if one doesn't fit your recipe, go with a different one. Imagine the things you can do with a pack of Mr. Hat Gulaman!

You can do Mango Tapioca, or Buko Pandan, or do Coffee Jelly on a hot day. If it's a recipe that has been passed on through generations or a new one (because you're a genius!).

Here's a recipe that's been tested great, one that you could try!

Coconut Gulaman Coolers by Mr. Hat Gulaman

The ingredients are a pack of Mr. Hat Gulaman (get the Buko Pandan Flavor). 2 cups of water, a quarter cup sugar, 250ml of Coconut Water, a quarter cup Condensed Milk, a quarter cup of All Purpose Cream and crushed ice.

Dissolve the gulaman pack and sugar in the 2 cups of water you prepared. Turn the stove on low and simmer, then put it on a tray to cool and set. Cut it up to small squares to make it pretty. On a separate bowl, mix the All Purpose Cream, Condensed Milk and Coconut Water. Put the Mr. Hat Gulaman, then crushed ice on a tall wide glass, put in a few of the milk mixture. Use a pandan leaf on the side and serve to your guests, they'll surely love it!

If you want a softer gulaman, just add a bit more water. If you prefer a firmer one, adjust the gulaman powder you put in on boiling water. Mix it thoroughly so you don't get lumps. You can follow @mrhatgulaman on social channels to have more experts help you with your recipes. They also post a lot of content there to beat the summer heat. I've been a solid user of Mr. Hat Gulaman, and have seen my family, my friends enjoy it!

Now it's your turn!

It's time to have that Dewberry Yogurt Cake

Don't want to make you crave at this hour, but I'm here to tell you that a Dewberry Yogurt Cake actually exists!

You loved their fruit jam and cream filled cookie sandwiches, and this time, they're taking it up a notch to make sure you enjoy three things you love, that's fruits, cake and yogurt! I personally love the strawberry variant, but I'm sure a lot of people also love the other blueberry variety.

It's available in supermarkets, groceries, sari-sari stores nationwide and only cost Php 82.10 a pack of 10 bars so really, there's no reason why you shouldn't indulge in one right now.

This product is made by the folks at Universal Robina Corporation (URC), same as Great Taste Coffee, C2 Cool and Clean, Jack n Jill, Piattos, Maxx, Cloud 9 (a personal favorite!), Magic Flakes and more! You may visit urc.com.ph if you want to know more!

Christmas Inspired Blizzard Treats from Dairy Queen!

The holidays are already here and honestly, it's still hot outside yeah? Well nights are going to be longer, and with the endless parties and meals you're going to finish, there ought to be room for dessert! I've always gone to Dairy Queen when I was still doing a blue collar job, but nowadays, there ain't no rhyme or reason not to have it anytime of the day!

Cool thing is, they've got new Christmas inspired Blizzards now available in their stores.  Previously they had a festival for a chocolate malt brand, but this time, they're banking on your sweet tooth and what you would normally expect in holidays.

What you deserve these holidays is premium blizzard creations, three heavenly flavors that I love in its real form - but they made it into these lovely treats. First is the Royal New York Cheesecake, lovely soft serve ice cream mixed with chunks of cheese cake squares then topped with sweet strawberries on top. It's like a dream come true, something that you would find comfort having it all by yourself.

The one in the middle is for chocolate lovers, it's called the Royal Ultimate Choco Brownie Blizzard Treat. It's got chunks of chewy brownies, chocolate pieces and chocolate fudge all over. It's got a lot of texture in one cup so I suggest you get the larger size if you're ordering some. Third ones a classic, it's called the Royal Oreo Blizzard Treat. It's got crumbled Oreo cookies and lots of swirls of fudge enveloped in the soft serve ice cream. It was heavenly and I think you'll love them especially these days when you've got family and friends with you.

Now these Christmas inspired Blizzard treats are not priced outrageously, only Php 109 for the regular, Php 129 for the medium size and Php 159 for the large one. This is only availbale til January 10th, so there's no opportune time to have it but now! Make sure you drop by Dairy Queen branches nationwide, or order via 8911-11-11 or their website dairyqueen.com.ph. You can also get them on delivery apps, don't let me stop you from getting it!