Tag: Doña Elena

Gusto: A Celebration of Mediterranean Food and Culture with Doña Elena

When it comes to Mediterranean food and culture, a new level of experience awaits. As one of the highly influential types of cuisine primarily for its abundant use of plant-based ingredients, it’s also widely celebrated for using the century-old olive oil in its various recipes. From fresh salads, flavorful dips, and sauces, to made-from-scratch stews and soups, olive oil is a staple ingredient that makes the Mediterranean one of the healthiest in the world.

As a market leader of olive oil and Mediterranean products in the Philippines, Doña Elena proudly celebrates its rich heritage of flavor and passion in a one-night exclusive event attended by VIP guests from Fly Ace Corporation‘s national trade partners and media. The sensational evening celebrates the rich heritage of Mediterranean flavors and Spain’s old-world culinary history, with Gusto as the main theme to highlight Doña Elena’s success in the country.

THE THRILL OF TAPAS AND A LUXURIOUS SPANISH FEAST

A true feast for the senses, the journey begins with a buffet featuring famous tapas specialties. A culinary tradition in Spain celebrated in different parts of the world, the section is a grand display of assorted meats, cheeses, nuts, crackers, and a voluptuous whole Iberico Ham as the iconic centerpiece.

The sit-down buffet dinner is a gastronomic journey that begins with an appetizer trio, which is a rendition of bite-sized tuna tartare in pani puri, eggplant caviar, and grilled pulpo. Laden in chimichurri and bonito aioli sauces, these dishes are generously infused with Doña Elena olive oil to enliven their Mediterranean flavor.

Nothing beats a comforting Tomato Soup with simple and quality ingredients to bring to life its heartwarming flavor. Smooth and creamy, it’s a welcoming treat made from a puree with Doña Elena diced tomatoes and Doña Elena olive oil.

Collaborating for the restaurateur and Terraza Martinez Executive Chef Luis Martinez. The Presa Iberica de Cerdo is a buttery soft premium pork tenderloin and an epic favorite for its next-level marbling. Followed by the show-stopping duck confit, foie gras, and Spanish Bomba Rice dish, reflecting Chef Luis’ Valencian roots. “The main course elegantly combines the flavorful tradition of passionate Spanish cuisine and commitment to quality ingredients,” says Chef Luis.

What better way to end the feast than a classic favorite Basque Cheesecake with added apricot and pistachio for a balance of fruity and nutty taste? Its rich caramel crust and creamy texture are a crowd favorite and captivate the sweet spot of dessert lovers.

AN EVENING OF GASTRONOMIC AND CULTURAL DELIGHT

As a tribute to Spain’s art, culture, and music, guests were treated to an exclusive Flamenco show from an ensemble flown directly from Spain.

“Flamenco is considered one of the icons of Spanish culture, which evokes so much passion and energy.

Every stomp, strum of the guitar, and clap of the singer’s hands is a testament to Spain’s rich history and complex roots. We just knew that our special dinner is best enjoyed with one of Spain’s most exhilarating art forms to give a full experience,” says Marketing Director Zen Prudentino.

The thrilling flamenco entertainment showcased different styles of flamenco, transporting the audience to the land of Andalusia. A true feast for the senses, the entertainment brought energy and delight to the guests, the ideal setting for a show-stopping celebration.

BRINGING THE BEST OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

Fly Ace Corporation’s vision of bringing the best of the world with healthy Mediterranean flavors at its core, Doña Elena’s humble beginnings is one of the company milestones that proved to be pivotal in Filipino cooking.

A trusted name in the Philippines, Doña Elena is a household staple with a wide selection of Mediterranean products. Doña Elena Olive Oil was first introduced in the Philippines with its 3 variants – extra virgin, pure, and pomace. Since then, the brand has continuously expanded its product range with Mediterranean staples, sourced from Spain and all over the world, and brought to the Filipino household. To this day, Doña Elena Olive Oil continuously reigns supreme as the no. 1 olive oil brand in the country, trusted by both chefs and home cooks.

For Fly Ace Corporation President Jun Cochanco, the brand is a symbol of passion and innovation, with its partners and stakeholders as a big part of their success. “Over the years, we’ve cultivated and grown the brand into what it is today, the number 1 Mediterranean brand in the country. As a consistent no.1 brand in the country for over 12 years, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our great partners and stakeholders. We couldn’t have done this without you. We are proud to say that Doña Elena is a brand that stands for authentic Mediterranean quality and I can promise that we will continue to invest in the brand and create value in your categories.”

February 1, 2024
Doña Elena invites diners on a Mediterranean Journey with Jones All-Day Limited- Edition Menu

Classic recipes, familiar ingredients, and a trip to the cities with good food as the beginning. At Jones All-Day Bistro and Bakery, a relaxed and show-stopping experience awaits, where casual vibe and extravagance of flavors are harmoniously combined.

That’s why this month, the country’s no.1 Olive Oil Doña Elena, brings another Mediterranean experience through its latest partnership with Jones All-Day with Raintree Group of Restaurants corporate chef and Doña Elena chef ambassador as the helm, Kalel Chan. This limited edition three-course menu is specially priced at P1,200 net and can be ordered separately until November 10, 2023. The portion is impressive and the price is also made accessible to highlight the Doña Elena Special Menu, featuring a different twist on the Mediterranean.

As one of the chefs with close familiarity and unparalleled trust in Doña Elena products, chef Kalel’s special Doña Elena menu is a game changer. The appetizer consists of a trio of an irresistible interplay of Mediterranean and Filipino flavors using different techniques, which chef Kalel describes as “the cooking journey of being a chef.” The first dish is a Grilled Barbeque Gremolata Pork Iberico using Doña Elena Pure Olive Oil. Succulent and smoky, the rendition is inspired by the Filipino-favorite street side grill, using an intensely marbled secreto iberico, smothered with a gremolata sauce and Doña Elena anchovies as part of the mix.

The second appetizer Hamachi Crudo Pani Puri with Sinigang Aguachile features a delightful burst of fried golden hollowed semolina dough stuffed with minced Doña Elena green olives and capers, cucumbers and tomatoes, topped with a fresh hamachi fish lightly drizzled with Doña Elena Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It’s finished with a light pouring of aguachile, a zesty sinigang soup base. The last item for the appetizer is the Adobong Pusit Arancini with Grilled Pulpo and Bonito Aioli. A dish inspired by the fried Italian appetizer rice balls, it’s fried in Doña Elena Pomace Olive Oil to achieve its crisp, crunchy exterior and golden brown color. This bite-sized treat is a mouthful of umami-rich flavors added with Doña Elena green olives and a light drizzle of Doña Elena Extra Virgin Olive Oil to enhance its creamy and balanced flavor.

Featuring chef Kalel’s favorite dish, consider the toothsome hunk of Grilled Lamb Ribs using Doña Elena Pomace Olive Oil as the star of the show. Laid on a homemade harissa sauce with cold orzo salad added with Doña Elena Black Olives, this rendition brings out a tried and true taste of the Mediterranean. As a staple Mediterranean condiment, the made-from-scratch harissa sauce heavily uses Doña Elena Pure Olive Oil, blended with warming and fiery spices such as chilies, cumin, and coriander balanced with a lightly sweet, red capsicum, which provides its bright orange color. The mixture makes the perfect pair to balance the smoky, charred lamb ribs, served with a light and cold orzo salad with Doña Elena black olives, drizzled with Doña Elena Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Finished with a bright and citrusy gremolata made of finely chopped parsley, garlic, and lemon, it boasts a refreshing balance to the heaviness of the tender and smoky lamb meat.

As a finale, the labneh ice cream is both rich and refreshing, and an indulgent Mediterranean recipe. Its flavor note is a cross between cream cheese and yogurt with a delightful balance of tang and saltiness. For a sweet touch, it’s mixed with sesame-pistachio brittle for some crunch, drizzled with a fruity and fragrant rosemary oil using Doña Elena Olive Oil as its main ingredient.

For a seasoned chef like Kalel, Filipino food is still a go-to dish at home. “Mediterranean dishes use a lot of herbs, which Filipino food usually doesn’t have. But I love to cook Filipino dishes because it’s very homey and I infuse them with Mediterranean ingredients, such as Doña Elena Olive Oil. For example, a simple adobo can be uplifted using Doña Elena Pure Olive Oil,” he notes. For Kalel, cooking oil is the foundation of good cooking, that’s why he puts a premium on the kind of olive oil that he uses. “It’s easy to cook at home when you have good quality ingredients,” he adds.

With Doña Elena’s 100% pure Spanish olive oil, it can easily elevate the taste of any dish with myriad health benefits. Packed with antioxidants and rich in vitamins A, E, and K, this exceptional olive oil is a kitchen staple—something home cooks and chefs reach for day in and day out. Additionally, aside from the extra virgin for dips and salads, pure for sauteing, and pomace olive oil for frying and roasting, Doña Elena offers a diverse range of Mediterranean ingredients to cater to every culinary need.

The Doña Elena special set menu is available at the Jones All-Day Bistro and Bakery throughout the day from 7 am to 10 pm, Monday to Sunday at Serendra, BGC. For more information, visit Doña Elena Cuisinera Club on Facebook and Doña Elena Cuisinera Club on Instagram.

October 12, 2023
Doña Elena and Terraza Martinez Curate an Exclusive Mediterranean-Inspired Special Menu

This September, expand your horizons by indulging in a culinary journey that will deliciously transport you to the heart of Spain. Throughout September 2023, Terraza Martinez is offering a special four-course menu for only Php1,950 that features Doña Elena, the No. 1 olive oil brand in the Philippines with a full range of Mediterranean products such as olives, capers, anchovies, and many more, Doña Elena Olive Oil is made from 100% pure olive oil from Spain, loved and trusted by home cooks and chefs alike.

A native of Valencia, Spain, Terraza Martinez’s executive chef and founder Luis Martinez remains true to his roots. Just like in the Philippines, Spain’s family-oriented culture with cooking and eating together is essential, they use only the freshest seasonal produce, quality meats, and seafood in their recipes. And for Chef Luis who considers every meal as an expression of passion and love, using a superior olive oil is a vital ingredient in his repertoire. “I truly believe that we are what we eat and olive oil is the healthiest of all. [Aside from health benefits] its pleasant taste, smell, and texture that enhance all the flavors of a good recipe, my type of cuisine revolves around the product. Everything is based on that, on the absolute respect that I have for the product.” Chef Luis emphasized. “On the other hand, [using good-quality olive oil] reminds me of my childhood wherein my breakfasts were based on a simple toast with extra virgin olive oil and salt.”

For the exclusive Doña Elena 4-course special menu, Chef Luis describes the combination as “perfect” and he would transport diners to the coastal regions of the Mediterranean. An equal balance of light and refreshing, bold and meaty, the carefully selected dishes are all infused with a rich tapestry of Spanish flavors.

The culinary journey begins with a Gazpacho, crafted “Terraza Martinez Style.” A traditional cold soup made from blended Doña Elena Pure Olive Oil and canned Diced Tomatoes, the recipe is taken up a notch with sauteed garlic prawns, tomato tartar, crispy capers, croutons, and Doña Elena anchovies. The result is smooth and creamy but the added twist of textures make it a unique take on a classic.

For the second course, Luis presents a – Cured Snapper Carpaccio. Delicate without being overpowering, this dish consists of thinly sliced snapper fish, marinated in Doña Elena Extra Virgin Olive Oil, crushed tomato, fried capers, and lime zest. The fish is tender and fresh, and the marinade provides a zesty and aromatic touch. The dish is served with rosemary crackers that add a crunchy contrast. Doña Elena Extra Virgin Olive Oil is ideal for this dish, as it has a fruity and mild flavor that compliments the fish for a silky mouthfeel. Doña Elena’s Canned Tomatoes and Capers also add some acidity and saltiness to balance the sweetness of the fish.

Glazed and charcoal-grilled, the Presa Ibérica de Cerdo takes center stage for the main course. The hearty ibérico pork loin, served with truffle mashed potato, olive oil caramelized shallots, wild fresh mushrooms, and demi-glacé sauce. This dish is a feast for the senses, as it combines the succulent and juicy meat of the Ibérico pork, which is one of the finest breeds of pigs in the world, with the earthy and aromatic flavors of the truffle, mushrooms, and shallots. Doña Elena Pure Olive Oil is used to caramelize the shallots and to drizzle over the mashed potato, adding a nutty and buttery note to the dish.

To conclude this unforgettable Spanish culinary voyage, the tangy smooth Manchego Cheesecake has a light touch of Doña Elena Pomace Olive Oil. The cheesecake is also topped with blueberry jelly and mango slices that add some sweetness and juicy flavor, for a fresh spin on this well-loved dessert.

Even before superfoods, there was olive oil. As one of the ingredients cooks reach more often in enhancing flavors of dishes, it is also profusely used in making some of the world’s greatest meals. Doña Elena Olive Oil comes loaded with high levels of antioxidants and is packed with vitamins E, K, and A that help lower bad cholesterol. It comes in three variants to suit any type of dish with a flavorful and aromatic taste. There’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil for dips and salad dressing; Pure Olive Oil for pasta and everyday cooking; and Pomace Olive Oil for roasting and frying.

Chef Luis Martinez and Doña Elena invite everyone to try the Doña Elena special menu at Terraza Martinez and experience soulful Spanish cuisine. “The special menu we created for Doña Elena is a refreshing and simple menu that showcases the Mediterranean style of cooking using Doña Elena products. We use fresh fish, meat, and vegetables that are lightly cooked to preserve their natural flavors. It’s a perfect menu for enjoying with friends and family in a cozy and elegant atmosphere. Come and join us at Terraza Martinez this September and experience the high quality of food and service that we offer.”

A sophisticated venue for food and drinks, Terraza Martinez always welcomes guests from brunch to midnight every day at the heart of BGC. For reservations, call (63 966) 700-5801 or visit their website, Facebook, or Instagram.

September 5, 2023