Luane Dy’s special Maja Blanca recipe

Filipinos are generally sweet – which they say may also explain their love of desserts. Almost every province in the country boasts of its own sweet delicacy: Laguna has its espasol and buko pie; Bacolod has its piaya; Baguio is famous for its strawberry jam; and Cebu has otap and dried mangoes to offer.

But sometimes, the best desserts need not come from far away. Pinoy families are also known to create their own versions of sweets right in their very homes.
 
One famous dessert that’s easy to do at home is maja blanca, or coconut pudding. It’s a famous Filipino dessert adapted from the traditional Spanish dessert majar blanco, which means “white delicacy.” Primarily made from coconut milk, cornstarch and sugar, it’s usually served by families during fiestas and other special occasions.
 
Kapuso celebrity and host Luane Dy shared with “Good News” her mom’s own version of Maja Blanca—a dessert that every Filipino family can easily prepare and enjoy during quality time at home.

RELATED VIDEO: Luane Dy's Maja Blanca recipe



INGREDIENTS
 
Coconut milk
Condensed milk
Evaporated milk
Lime
Whole kernel corn
Sugar
Cornstarch
Yellow food coloring
 
PROCEDURE
 
To make the latik, or toasted coconut milk crumbs:
 
1.       In a saucepan, bring the coconut milk to a boil. Simmer gently while stirring over low heat.
2.       Continue to simmer for about an hour, until the milk reduces to a thick cream.
3.       Keep on heating and stirring until the cream separates into coconut oil and latik.
4.       Turn the heat off when the crumbs turn golden brown.
5.       Drain the coconut oil and spread it over the bilao where the Maja Blanca will be served.
 
To make the Maja Blanca mixture:
 
1.      Put in the whole kernel corn, evaporated milk and condensed milk in a pan.
2.     Add the chopped lime for extra flavor, then pour in the coconut milk, sugar and food coloring. Mix all the ingredients well.
3.     Cook in medium heat while stirring.
4.     In a separate bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in coconut milk. It will serve as the thickener for the mixture.
5.     Once the mixture boils, put in the cornstarch.
6.     Continue stirring quickly for about 30 minutes or until the mixture becomes thick.
7.     Immediately pour mixture into the bilao. Sprinkle latik on top.
8.     Allow it to completely cool down then refrigerate for at least one hour or until set.
9.     Serve and enjoy!
 
COST: Php 500/ 1 bilao
 
—Donna Allanigue/CM, GMA News