Filipino Desserts

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Philippines is known to have the longest yet merriest Christmas in the world. A part of the longest Filipino Christmas season is the traditional Simbang Gabi. This is a time when Catholic churches across the nation open the church doors shortly before he break of dawn to welcome faithfuls to the Simbang Gabi.

Simbang Gabi and its Meaning

Simbang Gabi when translated to English means Mass at Dawn. Simbang Gabi goes by another term made famous by its famous Spanish name as the Misa de Gallo or “mass of the rooster”. It holds a special place in the observance of a Filipino Christmas. The tradition of Simbang Gabi is to complete the series of nine-day novena to the Blessed Mary. The annual novena begins at the dawn of 16th of December and continues until Christmas Eve.

Simbang Gabi is part of the Filipino tradition when observing the season of Christmas. It is one of the longest and most popular traditions in the Philippines. This is a time when Catholic churches across the country open the door shortly before the break of dawn to ushers in the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass. It is symbolical to Catholics since it commemorates the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. It is quite traditional to see the “panuluyan” reenacted during the mass as an effort to show how Joseph and Mary found a birthplace.

Origin

Simbang Gabi was started following its roots in Mexico way back 1587. In 1587, the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Soria, before the covenant of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Mass outdoors during Christmas. The Church then could not accommodate the large number of people who attended the evening mass. During the old times, the pre-dawn mass is usually announced by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural areas, a brass band would play loud Christmas music loud enough to be heard all across town. It also was believed parish priests would go house to house to knock doors to wake and call all people to attend Misa de Gallo. The large number of people in attendance consists mostly of fishermen who pray for a good harvest when they hear mass before going out to the sea to fish.

The Modern Simbang Gabi

Up to this modern time, Simbang Gabi continues to live on in Catholic churches in the Philippines. It is a tradition upholded and celebrated in many ways. Christmas is felt everywhere even at churches where lanterns or parols with colorful lights fill every streets and every window. Christmas songs are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends, lovers and relatives frequent to the nearest local church to attend the nine day novena of Simbang Gabi.

Simbang Gabi has a strong association to the Filipino’s love of food. Shortly after the mass, traditional delicacies winds its way and are sold in stalls outside the church. It is usual to see Filipino favorites like bibingka (rice cake), puto bungbong, suman sa pasko, suman sa ibos served with tea or coffee. Breakfast roll or hot pandesal are also a popular breakfast food among Filipinos.  Filipino often hurry home to spend time with their family when the last Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi has ended. The usual yet special Filipino food and Filipino desserts often served during noche buena are queso de bola or edam cheese, tsokolate or hot native chocolate drink jamon en dulce or ham, pancit, barbeque, lechon or suckling pig, Western and native cakes, lumpia, rice among many others.

The Message of Simbang Gabi

Simbang Gabi is more than an old tradition that needs to be observed and celebrated because we need to do so. Simbang Gabi continues to be a significant moment where it strengthens the relationships among family members and a time to restrengthen our faith in God. This is a special time when we feel the loving presence of our Lord and a spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Most Filipinos believe a sincere wish is granted after completing the nine series of masses. It does not matter, however, when one fails to attend the Simbang Gabi from December 16 up to Christmas Eve or the total of nine dawn masses. The blessings given by the Lord does not depend on the number of masses attended. What really matters is what lies inside the heart and the sincerity and morale to the person who receives the Lord’s blessing.

Technorati Tags: Christmas mass, misa de gallo, noche buena, Philippine Christmas, simbang gabi

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

The Philippine Custard or Leche Flan is a sweet dessert that is so simple to make. Watch this instructional video on how to cook this Filipino dessert.

View our recipe of Leche Flan.

Technorati Tags: Leche Flan Philippine Custard video recipe

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Ingredients

200 grams graham crackers (approximately)

1 (10 1/2 ounce) can all purpose cream

3 large ripe mangoes

1 (10 ounce) can condensed milk

Directions

1. Slice mangoes into thin wedges.

2. Combine condensed milk, all purpose cream, and sliced mangoes.

3. Layer the graham crackers in a square glass pan or other container.

4. Put on the crackers a layer of the filling of mangoes, all purpose cream, and condensed milk.

5. Repeat by putting layers of graham crackers and filling until you’ve used it all. Top the final layer with graham crackers.

6. Put it in the refrigerator and chill overnight. Mango float as a frozen treat tastes even more delicious when you put this desert in the freezer.

Technorati Tags: Mango float recipe

(2 votes, average: 3 out of 5)

 Loading ...

An instructional video on how to make a frozen and yummy treat, Mango Float!

Technorati Tags: mango float recipe video

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Ginataang halo halo is a well-known dessert in the Philippines. It has a rich coconut milk base and tidbits of a variety of root crops and other fruits. It is from the tagalog word “Halo-halo” which means “mix” such as yam, cassava, sweet potatoes, banana, sago, glutinous rice balls and jackfruit.

Ingredients:
250 grams sweet rice flour
6 plantain or “saba” bananas, sliced
1 can coconut milk
250 grams jackfruit or “langka”
6 pandan leaves or 1 tsp vanilla
200 grams cooked sago pearls
225 grams sweet potato or “camote”, cubed
300 grams white sugar
225 taro root or “gabi”, cubed
1 can coconut cream or root crops may be used as thickener

Directions:
1. Combine rice flour with 250 ml water. Form mixture into small balls.
2. Place the rice flour balls in a casserole with water.
3. Bring to a boil. Add the sago pearls, sweet potato, taro and other root crops you may have.
4. Cook for 5 minutes. Add the banana slices, jackfruit and rice balls. Continue to cook over moderate heat until all the rice balls float to the surface.
5. Stir in sugar and coconut cream then transfer to a serving bowl.
6. Serve hot or maybe chilled.

Technorati Tags: coconut milk dessert, ginataang halo halo recipe, guinataan

(3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)

 Loading ...

An instructional video on how to cook and style Maja Blanca!
Created by Carlos Aquino, Jr. and Ralph Ramos of DLS-CSB.

View our Maja Blanca recipe.

Technorati Tags: coconut cake, maja blanca recipe, maja blanca video

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Estimated cooking time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Ingredients:
½ cup of thick coconut milk
1 cup rice flour
1cup of sugar
½ cup of cornstarch
3 tablespoon sweet corn kernel
4 cups fresh coconut milk or water
½ cup grated coconut meat (optional)

Directions:
1. Pour coconut milk in a saucepan and bring to boil. Wait until oil separates from the coconut mixture and the precipitates turns into dark brown. This dark brown formation is called “latik”. Drain the “latik” from the oil. Set aside.
2. Grease a 13-inch rectangular dish with coconut oil. Set aside.
3. In a medium-sized saucepan, blend rice flour, sugar, cornstarch, sweet corn kernels and fresh coconut milk or water.
4. Stir in optional grated buko or coconut meat. Boil over slow heat and stir constantly to prevent lumps. Wait until mixture is clear after 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Pour hot mixture into prepared dish and allow to set. Sprinkle the “latik” over the set mixture. Let it cool before slicing.
6. If rice flour isn’t available, soak 2 cups of rice in 2 cups of water overnight. When soft, grind in blender until smooth.

Technorati Tags: maja blanca recipe, pinoy delicacy desserts, rice cake

(4 votes, average: 3.25 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Watch this video and learn how to bake Cassava Cake. It’s so easy to make!

Technorati Tags: bake recipe, cassava cake recipe, Filipino native delicacy

(2 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Ingredients:
3 cups sweet rice flour
1.5 cups of water
1 small coconut, grated
1 cup white sugar
¼ cup toasted sesame seeds, crushed

Directions:
1. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil.
2. In a bowl, combine rice flour and 1.5 cups of water and blend thoroughly. Cover your hands with flour, shape dough into egg sized ovals and flatten with your thumbs.
3. Drop palitaw balls in boiling water. Scoop out with clotted spoon when the palitaw balls float.
4. Roll in grated coconut and white sugar. Top with toasted sesame seeds.

Technorati Tags: palitaw recipe, philippine rice dumplings

(2 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Ingredients
2 packs frozen grated cassava ( you can get this at local Filipino stores)
2 cans coconut milk (or frozen pack coconut milk)
2 1/2 cans condensed milk
2 eggs (beaten)
1/4 cup macapuno or sweetened coconut strings
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings
2 egg yolks, whipped
1/2 condensed milk
Mix and blend the egg yolks and condensed milk

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Celsius.
2. Thaw cassava or coconut milk if you bought the frozen one. Mix all ingredients and blend well.
3. Line a pyrex dish ( 9″ x 15 x 2″) with aluminum foil or with banana leaves if available.
4. Pour the mixed ingredients onto the pyrex dish.
5. Bake at 325 C for 25-35 minutes. Check if it is done when the top solidifies.
6. Remove from oven.
7. Spread the toppings on top.
8. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until the topping thickens.
9. Remove from oven. Cool and cut into squares. Serve

Technorati Tags: cassava cake recipe