Apart from the hitmaker by Jose Mari Chan playing non-stop on every radio station, another tradition that completes a Filipino’s Christmas is the Simbang Gabi. “Simbang Gabi na naman”, as another OPM song says, and along with the breezy weather brought by December’s midnights, what truly ignites the festive spirit are the dishes to dig in right after the holy mass. As sweet as the Ben&Ben tune, Bibingka, here are some dishes to satisfy your sweet tooth this holiday season!
Bibingka
Photo whologwhy on Flickr |
Bibingka is a sticky rice cake charred from a combination of fermented rice and coconut milk. Once the batter is mixed, it is traditionally placed in a clay pot, lined with banana leaves before being cooked on top of heated charcoal. Eggs and cheese are usually added ingredients to give flavor. Bibingka is deliciously paired with the next sweet drink on this list.
Tsokolate de Batirol
Set aside your overpriced coffee this Christmas season because this is the only drink you’ll need to warm up your holidays. Using a traditional beater called a batidor, tablea cocoa and peanut butter are combined with hot water or milk to form a creamy, rich consistency. Indeed, its flavor goes well with every holiday delicacy
Puto Bumbong
Puto Bumbong starts from purple rice flour that after being steamed inside bamboo pipes, forms a sticky, rice cake. While there are a lot of ways to serve this delicacy, traditionally, it is topped with grated coconut and margarine then wrapped in banana leaves. It is usually served with panocha or muscovado.
Arroz Caldo
If you’re craving for something savory, then there’s still something on the list for you! Arroz Caldo is prepared by boiling rice until it thickens into a porridge. Ox tripe and pig intestines are usually incorporated into the rice porridge. It’s best topped with dried garlic, chopped green onion, calamansi juice or crushed chicharron.