When hunger strikes in between meal times, you respond by indulging in pinaSARAP meryendang pinoy snacks! Read on for delightful, budget-friendly recipes!

Meryendang Pinoy: Small Tasty Snacks for Any Time of Day

Meryenda or merienda refers to bite-size food that you can munch on in between meal times. In the Philippines, while the term often refers to afternoon snack, ‘merienda’ can also take place in the morning or during brunch time.

The good news is that whenever you prefer to have your merienda, you can never run out of tasty and interesting meryendang pinoy recipes that you and your family will love. Take these quick ones, for example.

Ginataang Mais

Usually partnered with turon (or fried banana rolls), ginataang mais is rice porridge, textured and flavored with the sweetness of corn kernels. This tasty meryendang pinoy idea can be enjoyed warm or cold within an hour. Here’s how to easily prepare Lugaw na Mais.

Ingredients 

Serves: 5 – 6

• 1.5 L coconut milk (gata)
• 150g malagkit rice
• 150g sugar
• 1 cup Mega Prime Kernel Corn, drained
• 1 cup Mega Prime Cream Style Corn

Instructions

1. 1. Boil 1L coconut milk on high heat and add Mega Prime Kernel Corn. Stir occasionally.
   2. Pour in rice and reduce heat to medium. Continue stirring, adding sugar in gradually.
   3. Add remaining coconut milk after the rice has cooked.
   4. Stirring occasionally, add Mega Prime Cream Style Corn and cook for 5 more minutes. Add more sugar, if preferred. 
   5. Serve warm or cold.

Palaman Ideas

Not much time to prep a pinaSARAP snack? Palaman or sandwich spreads can be your way to add more fun to merienda time. Aside from the fact that most sandwich spreads are no-cook recipes, you can also prep them in advance and keep stock in the fridge. Palaman for your sandwiches can also be crafted from canned goods and leftovers such as roasted chicken or ham. Check out these must-try palaman recipes.

Ham & Cheese Spread

A classic sweet (or salty) and savory pairing, you can never go wrong with ham and cheese as a meryendang pinoy palaman for pan de sal or other types of breads. Here’s how to make a ham and cheese spread.

Ingredients

• 1 pack (8oz or 250g) cream cheese, cubed
• ½ kg ham (boiled or leftover), chopped
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp. green onion, chopped
• 2 Tbsp. parsley, minced
• ¼ tsp. ground mustard
• ¼ tsp. hot sauce

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Blend until the pieces of ham are noticeably minced. Transfer spread into a container and keep in the refrigerator or serve with crackers and bread.

Cheesy Mushroom Spread

Cheesy mushroom palaman is another crowd-pleaser; a popular spread especially with kids. Read through this easy how-to for prep.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 pc. white onion, minced 
• 1 can (198g) Mega Prime Mushrooms Pieces and Stems, drained
• 1 tsp. sugar
• ½ tsp. chili flakes
• Salt 
• 2 Tbsp. cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 ½ Tbsp. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 tsp. butter

Instructions

In a pan, heat olive oil and throw in white onion and Mega Prime Pieces and Stems Mushrooms. Stir and mix well. Season with sugar, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Once the mixture has browned, remove from heat and let it cool before serving on bread, or storing in your refrigerator for later use.

Fiesta Buko Salad Coolers

A delightful way to beat hot summer afternoons are colorful and refreshing servings of Fiesta Buko Salad. It’s a classic meryendang pinoy coconut cooler made chewier and fruitier! Serve a sweet and creamy refresher with this quick recipe.

Ingredients

Serves: 6

• Coconut meat (from 4 coconuts)
• 2 cups small-sized sago, cooked
• 2 cans all-purpose cream
  
• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cans (822g) Mega Prime Tropical Fruit Cocktail, drained
• 2 cans (425g) Mega Prime Nata de Coco Pandan, syrup set aside
• Ice, as preferred

Instructions

In a bowl, combine coconut meat, Mega Prime Tropical Fruit Cocktail, sago and Mega Prime Nata de Coco Pandan. Mix in coconut milk, reserved nata de coco syrup and condensed milk. Refrigerate before serving with ice. 

PinaSARAP recipes made by Prime Moms for Prime Moms. Check out more reads on recipes and trivia about meryendang pinoy!