Polvoron: Cookies 'N Cream, Milo and Pinipig

I was cleaning the pantry the other week when I found something which I haven't seen since we moved here in 2010. I really thought that I've lost it during the move. Glad to know that I didn't! I'm talking about my polvoron molds...

They were sent to me by Ryan's mom, after I broke the one that my mom gave me before we left for the US. She said I should always have these special molds so I can always make polvoron, a type of Spanish shortbread that is a popular dessert in the Philippines and is commonly given as a "pasalubong” or homecoming gift for friends and family. It is made with toasted flour, powdered milk, sugar and melted butter then pressed in the mold shown above and then wrapped in wax paper or cellophane.
 
After finding the molds, I just couldn't resist making these delicious treats! The ingredients are very simple and I have them all so there was really no reason not to make them. Clarise and Cherlin helped and we came up with three different flavors: Cookies 'N Cream, Milo and Pinipig(rice flakes).

We were able to make 108 pieces...and guess what? They're almost gone! Well, the girls really love polvoron and they are really excited with the thought that we can now make them instead of buying from the Asian store. :)

Milo Drinks: Dinosaur, Godzilla and NesLo

I wonder what your favorite drink was when you were growing up...
 
As for me and my brother, it's Milo. I'm pretty sure that you have heard of this drink. But  if you haven't, let me introduce you to it. :)

Milo is a chocolate and malt powder mix produced by Nestle and sold in a green tin designed with various sports activities. It makes a good energy drink when combined with hot or cold water and/or milk. According to Wikipedia, Milo was originally developed by Thomas Mayne in Sydney, Australia in 1934, and its name was derived from the famous Greek athlete Milo of Croton who has a legendary strength. Milo is said to contain 1,760 kJ (421 calories) in every 100 g of the powder, mostly from carbohydrates which can be used for energy by the body. That is the basis of Milo being marketed as an energy drink. The high calorie content means Milo can be useful for preventing weight loss.

I remember that when we were kids, my brother loved mixing it with Nescafe instant coffee. That drink was popularly called NesLo (Nescafe + Milo) during those days. As for me, I just loved it with milk and some sugar. I used to dissolve it in warm milk, add some ice and top it with some more Milo. It has been almost four years since the last time I had that refreshing drink.

Last week when we were having lunch with our friends at a Malaysian resto, we found "Milo Dinosaur" in the menu. We got curious, so we tried it. I was kinda surprised to find out that it's just a cup of Milo with an extra spoonful of undissolved Milo added to it. I really didn't know that the way I used to enjoy Milo when I was little is what's popularly known as Milo Dinosaur! That day, I also learned that there's another version of it called Milo Godzilla which is a bigger serving of Milo Dinosaur topped with ice cream and/or whipped cream. 

My daughters loved the Milo Dinosaur. They first had Milo when we went back to the Philippines in 2008. They've been drinking it here for a few months after we got back and I can't remember why we stopped buying it. I guess they got contented with Swiss Miss and Nesquik. But after trying  the Milo Dinosaur last week, they were reminded of how good Milo is and they insisted that we drop by the nearby Asian store to check if is available there. Luckily it was, so we bought one tin of it. Clarise and Cherlin have been drinking Milo everyday since then. Oh actually, it's not just them...Ryan and I too...so it was all gone in less than 5 days. Last weekend, we bought some more. 

Interested to know how we enjoy our Milo??? Let me show you...

The girls like Milo either hot or cold. Every morning, they will drink it hot and for their afternoon snack, they prefer it cold either as Dinosaur or Godzilla. For me and Ryan, we've been enjoying it with Nescafe coffee during the past week.

Thought of sharing with y'all how I make Milo Dinosaur, Godzilla and Neslo. These are truly refreshing drinks that you might enjoy...