While summer may not be what it used to be due to the pandemic, know that there are ways to liven up the season with the family at home. And preparing delightful snacks is one of them! Read on for easy recipes and how to cook pinoy merienda with the family.
But First: A Fun Fact on Merienda
In the Philippines, merienda is that in-between light snacking that’s usually done in the afternoon. Go-tos for merienda include light snacks such as pan de sal (or any bread) and pancit canton, paired with sweet juices, soda or coffee. On the international scene though, merienda actually holds a similar definition to appetizers. Originated in Spain, merienda comes from the Spanish word merendar which means “to eat snack”. It refers to any food eaten right before a heavy meal.
How to Cook Pinoy Merienda: Must-try Recipes for the Summer
Serve something sweet and well-loved for merienda with these sample pinaSARAP recipes that you can make with your loved ones at home!
Puto with Corn
Puto, or steamed rice cake, is also a type of kakanin that never fails to please. It’s versatile too. You can pair it with dishes such as dinuguan and pancit canton, or you can eat it on its own. You may also switch up your puto recipe by adding more interesting ingredients. Bits of corn, for example, adds more sweetness as well as texture to the usual pillowy bite of puto.
PinaSARAP family bond idea: have the kids throw in their suggestions on what interesting ingredients to add to puto! Here’s a recipe on how to prep those deliciously tender rice cakes with corn in no more than 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Yield: 12
- 2 cups rice flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ cup powdered milk
- 1 ¼ cups fresh milk
- ½ cup of Mega Prime Cream Style Corn
- 1 large egg
- ⅛ cup salted butter, melted
- ½ cup Mega Prime Kernel Corn, drained
Directions
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- Preheat steamer and grease 12 medium puto molds.
- In a large bowl, whisk together rice flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and powdered milk. Then, make a well in the center. Pour in fresh milk, Mega Prime Cream Style Corn, egg, butter and Mega Prime Kernel Corn. Combine by stirring.
- With a measuring cup, ladle ⅓ cup of the puto mixture unto greased puto molds. Make sure that corn kernels are well-distributed.
- Place molds in the preheated steamer and cover steamer with a clean kitchen towel before setting the lid on it.
- Steam for about 10 minutes or until puto have popped up in their molds.
- Remove from the steamer and let it cool before removing puto from their molds and serving.
Fruity Buko Salad
Craving for something that’s refreshingly sweet? Then the well-loved buko salad may just do the trick for you and your loved ones! A true star in fiestas and celebrations, buko salad is made of fresh coconut strips and a delicious blend of milk and cream. Try this recipe of the classic merienda, pinaSARAP with Mega Prime Fruit Cocktail and Mega Prime Nata de Coco!
Ingredients
Yield: 6
- 5 cups buko strips
- 1 bottle kaong
- 1 can (300mL) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 pack (250mL) all-purpose cream
- 1 can (450g) Mega Prime Fruit Cocktail, drained
- 1 can Mega Prime Nata de Coco Lychee
Directions
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- In a bowl, combine all-purpose cream and sweetened condensed milk, before adding in the other ingredients. Make sure to mix thoroughly.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving!
Ginataang Mais
More ideas on how to cook pinoy merienda with corn? Try Ginataang Mais! It’s not as soupy as ginataang bilo-bilo or ginataang halo-halo, rather it’s more sticky, risotto-like and can be eaten cold or warm.
PinaSARAP recipes made by Prime Moms for Prime Moms. Check out more reads on how to cook pinoy merienda, along with ideas such as these nutritious summer coolers!
Mais ginataan my fav❤❤❤❤❤