Think about these moments when your abdomen growls – it isn’t fairly mealtime but, however you are undoubtedly craving one thing candy, flavorful, or barely filling. That’s the place merienda involves the rescue.
Merienda, the Filipino time period for snacks or gentle meals eaten in between foremost meals, is an important a part of Filipino tradition. It is the final word treatment for after-school or workplace munchies, in addition to late-night cravings.Â
Greater than filling your abdomen, consuming merienda is a fast escape from the day by day grind that can certainly carry a smile to your face.
Now, let’s dive into a number of the greatest merienda recipes that you could strive. These snacks will be purchased from road distributors, eating places, or made at dwelling with love.
1. Lumpiang Shanghai
Lumpia is a staple not solely in birthday events and fiestas, but in addition in on a regular basis Filipino merienda.
Among the many several types of lumpia, Lumpiang Shanghai is a standout favourite. These bite-sized spring rolls are full of a savory combination of floor pork, carrots, onions, and varied seasonings.
Lumpiang shanghai is greatest loved when dipped in candy chili sauce or a tangy dipping sauce constituted of vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce. The mix of flavors is just irresistible, making it a well-liked alternative amongst Filipinos of all ages.
2. Pancit Palabok
Irrespective of what number of occasions you’ve had it, the style of Pancit Palabok by no means will get outdated. This traditional Filipino merienda is a comforting dish that mixes skinny rice noodles, a wealthy annatto-flavored sauce, and an array of scrumptious toppings.
The sauce, constituted of shrimp broth and annatto seeds, offers the dish its vibrant orange coloration and distinct taste.
Nonetheless, it’s the garnishes that actually make this dish so well-loved. From crispy fried garlic, boiled eggs, shrimp, and smoked fish flakes, to crushed chicharon and freshly squeezed calamansi, these toppings add layers of texture and taste that elevate the dish to new heights.
Whilst you can simply purchase this merienda favourite from road meals distributors, making Pancit Palabok at dwelling lets you customise it to your individual style.
Some want a spicier model by including additional chili flakes or scorching sauce, whereas others might go for a milder taste by decreasing the quantity of annatto seeds used within the sauce.
With out query, the method of making the flavorful shrimp broth, simmering the annatto seeds to infuse the sauce with its vibrant hue, and thoroughly arranging the toppings is a labor of affection that is definitely worth the effort.
3. Siomai
With roots tracing again to Chinese language delicacies, Filipinos have made Siomai their very own, including their distinctive flavors and twists to this beloved merienda.
These little bundles of pleasure are a well-liked merienda alternative, typically loved with a dipping sauce constituted of soy sauce, calamansi juice, and chili paste.
4. Halo-Halo
In search of one thing to fill your abdomen on a scorching summer season day? Look no additional than the beloved Halo-Halo. This refreshing and colourful blended fruit dessert is the right deal with to chill you down and fulfill your candy tooth.
Halo-Halo, which accurately interprets to “mix-mix” in English, is a pleasant mixture of elements that come collectively in a mouthwatering symphony of flavors and textures. It begins with a base of crushed ice and evaporated milk. From there, the chances are limitless.
Most sellers add a wide range of candy elements, resembling sweetened beans, jellies, fruit preserves, and candied fruits. Some even embody chunks of leche flan or ube halaya for added richness. To prime all of it off, a beneficiant scoop of creamy ube ice cream is positioned on prime.
To eat halo halo, combine all of the elements first, permitting the flavors to meld and the textures to intermingle. Every spoonful is a pleasant shock as you style completely different combos of candy, creamy, and fruity goodness.
5. Bibingka
A favourite amongst Filipinos through the Christmas season, bibingka is a merienda that brings heat and luxury to everybody.
This Filipino rice cake is constituted of a mix of glutinous rice flour and coconut milk, giving it a smooth and barely chewy texture. As a result of it’s historically cooked in clay pots lined with banana leaves over scorching coals, the bibingka develops a good looking charred exterior whereas sustaining a moist inside.
This Filipino merienda is topped with salted egg, margarine, and cheese for a distinction of taste. It’s typically loved with a cup of scorching chocolate or espresso, making it the right deal with after Simbang Gabi.
Households collect round to savor this scrumptious rice cake whereas sharing tales and laughter as they rejoice the vacation season.
6. Puto
There’s nothing fairly just like the fluffy and barely candy style of Puto to move you again to childhood reminiscences.
These steamed rice truffles are a staple Filipino merienda, normally loved throughout particular events or as a easy afternoon snack.
Produced from a mix of flour, sugar, water, evaporated milk, and baking powder, Puto is gentle and ethereal, with a refined trace of sweetness that lingers in your tongue. Most sellers prime this merienda with a small slice of cheese.
It can be flavored with pandan, ube, mango, or another fruit extract so as to add a burst of taste and a pop of coloration.
7. Kwek-Kwek
Who does not love a snack that is deep-fried till golden brown for the right crispy exterior? Kwek-Kwek is a Filipino merienda that takes fried eggs to an entire new degree.
These bite-sized delights characteristic quail eggs coated in a vibrant orange batter constituted of flour, cornstarch, and annatto powder.
8. Banana Cue
Irrespective of how outdated you’re, there’s one thing undeniably comforting about indulging in caramelized banana skewers, referred to as Banana Cue.
This Filipino merienda is a nostalgic deal with that brings again reminiscences of carefree days and easy pleasures. This merienda is made with saba bananas, that are firmer than common bananas, making them excellent for caramelizing.
The bananas are skewered onto bamboo sticks, then fried with brown sugar till they flip golden brown.
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9. Ginataang Bilo Bilo
Ginataang Bilo Bilo is a Filipino merienda that warms each the physique and soul. It’s completely loved on a cold afternoon.
This pleasant dessert soup is made with sticky rice balls, also referred to as bilo bilo, cooked in creamy coconut milk.
To make the bilo bilo, glutinous rice flour is blended with water to type a dough, which is then rolled into small balls. These sticky rice balls are then boiled till they grow to be smooth and chewy.
In the meantime, a mix of coconut milk, water, sugar, and pandan leaves (non-compulsory) is delivered to a simmer. As soon as the broth is prepared, the bilo bilo are added and simmered till they float to the floor, an indication that they’re cooked by way of.
Ginataang Bilo Bilo additionally incorporates plantain bananas, jackfruit, and candy potatoes that add heartiness to the dish.
10. Pork Chicharon
In the event you love pork, you then’re in for a deal with with Pork Chicharon. This Filipino merienda is the epitome of indulgence, providing a crunchy and savory delight that’s laborious to withstand.
To make Pork Chicharon, pork pores and skin is first boiled till tender, then dried to take away extra moisture.
As soon as dried, the pork pores and skin is deep-fried till it puffs up and turns into crispy golden goodness. The result’s a snack that’s each gentle and ethereal whereas nonetheless packing a punch of taste.
Pork Chicharon is usually loved with a dipping sauce constituted of vinegar, soy sauce, purple onions, garlic, and chili.
11. Pares
Though it is thought-about a merienda, Pares is a filling and satisfying dish that may be loved any time of the day. In actual fact, it’s a favourite of many Filipinos after an evening out.
This Filipino consolation meals consists of tender beef simmered in a flavorful sauce, served with garlic fried rice and a facet of clear soup.
The meat for Pares is usually braised for hours in a mix of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, star anise, and different fragrant spices. The gradual cooking course of permits the meat to grow to be extremely tender and infused with the wealthy flavors of the marinade.
As the meat cooks, the sauce thickens and develops a deep, savory style that pairs completely with rice.
12. Hen Mami
One other comforting merienda that warms the soul is Hen Mami. This Filipino noodle soup is harking back to wet afternoons and comfortable moments at dwelling.
The important thing to a scrumptious Hen Mami lies in its wealthy and flavorful broth. A complete hen, together with garlic, onions, peppercorns, and bay leaves, is simmered for hours to create a savory base that can make your style buds comfortable.
Skinny egg noodles are then cooked individually till al dente, making certain that they keep their satisfying chewiness. The noodles are then positioned in bowls and topped with tender hen slices, egg, blanched greens, and chopped scallions.
The piping scorching broth is ladled over the noodles, making a comforting and fragrant bowl of Hen Mami.
You may add pepper, soy sauce, fish sauce, and calamansi to style, permitting every particular person to customise their bowl of Hen Mami based on their preferences.
