Maja blanca
Encyclopedia
Maja blanca (ˈmaha ˈblaŋkə ) is a Filipino dessert
made primarily from coconut milk
. Also known as coconut pudding, it is usually served during fiesta
s and during the holidays, especially Christmas.
, and is thus related to other similar desserts such as blancmange
. The name means "white delicacy".
Maja blanca is also known as maja blanca con maiz, maja maiz, or maja blanca maiz when corn kernels are used in the preparation (maiz is Spanish for corn).
(not coconut cream
) and cornstarch mixture is heated to boiling over a low flame while stirring. Agar
(gulaman
in Filipino
) can be substituted for cornstarch. Corn kernels, milk, and sugar are also often added, though these are not traditionally part of the recipe. Once the mixture thickens, it is then poured into serving dishes previously greased with coconut oil
and allowed to cool. Once firm, latik
(browned coconut cream curds) are then sprinkled as toppings.
It is also often refrigerated and served cold to improve the texture.
s (Filipino
: kalabasa) and a version of maja maiz that uses butter, resulting in a distinctive yellow color.
Another variation of maja blanca is the maja de ube (or maja ube). It uses ube (purple yam) as one of the primary ingredients giving it a characteristic deep purple color.
Dessert
In cultures around the world, dessert is a course that typically comes at the end of a meal, usually consisting of sweet food. The word comes from the French language as dessert and this from Old French desservir, "to clear the table" and "to serve." Common Western desserts include cakes, biscuits,...
made primarily from coconut milk
Coconut milk
Coconut milk is the water that comes from the grated meat of a coconut. The colour and rich taste of the milk can be attributed to the high oil content. In many parts of the world, the term coconut milk is also used to refer to coconut water, the naturally occurring liquid found inside the hollow...
. Also known as coconut pudding, it is usually served during fiesta
Fiesta
Fiesta, a Spanish word that means "party", "feast" or "festival", may refer to:-Film:*Fiesta , a 1941 American film directed by LeRoy Prinz*Fiesta , a 1947 MGM film starring Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalbán-Music:...
s and during the holidays, especially Christmas.
Description
Maja blanca has the consistency of thick gelatine and a delicate flavour, and is creamy white in colour.Etymology and History
As the name suggests, the dessert is of Spanish origin, adapted from the traditional holiday dessert manjar blancoManjar Blanco
Manjar blanco is a term used to refer to a variety of delicacies in the Spanish-speaking world. In Spain the term refers to blancmange, a European delicacy found in various parts of the continent as well as the United Kingdom. In the Americas it refers to a sweet, white spread or pastry filling...
, and is thus related to other similar desserts such as blancmange
Blancmange
Blancmange is a sweet dessert commonly made with milk or cream and sugar thickened with gelatin, cornstarch or Irish moss, and often flavored with almonds. It is usually set in a mould and served cold. Although traditionally white, blancmanges are frequently given a pink color as well...
. The name means "white delicacy".
Maja blanca is also known as maja blanca con maiz, maja maiz, or maja blanca maiz when corn kernels are used in the preparation (maiz is Spanish for corn).
Preparation
Maja blanca is relatively easy to prepare. A coconut milkCoconut milk
Coconut milk is the water that comes from the grated meat of a coconut. The colour and rich taste of the milk can be attributed to the high oil content. In many parts of the world, the term coconut milk is also used to refer to coconut water, the naturally occurring liquid found inside the hollow...
(not coconut cream
Coconut cream
Coconut cream is very similar to coconut milk but contains less water. The difference is mainly consistency. It has a thicker, more paste-like consistency, while coconut milk is generally a liquid...
) and cornstarch mixture is heated to boiling over a low flame while stirring. Agar
Agar
Agar or agar-agar is a gelatinous substance derived from a polysaccharide that accumulates in the cell walls of agarophyte red algae. Throughout history into modern times, agar has been chiefly used as an ingredient in desserts throughout Asia and also as a solid substrate to contain culture medium...
(gulaman
Gulaman
Gulaman, in Filipino cuisine, refers to the bars of dried seaweed used to make jellies or flan, as well as the desserts made from it. Agarose or agar is made of processed seaweed, mostly from Gelidium corneum--one of the most common edible alga, dehydrated and formed into foot-long dry bars which...
in Filipino
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
) can be substituted for cornstarch. Corn kernels, milk, and sugar are also often added, though these are not traditionally part of the recipe. Once the mixture thickens, it is then poured into serving dishes previously greased with coconut oil
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconuts harvested from the coconut palm . Throughout the tropical world, it has provided the primary source of fat in the diets of millions of people for generations. It has various applications in food, medicine, and industry...
and allowed to cool. Once firm, latik
Latik
Latík refers to two different ingredients in Philippine cuisine. In the north it refers to solid coconut curds, the byproducts of coconut oil production, used as garnishing for a variety of desserts...
(browned coconut cream curds) are then sprinkled as toppings.
It is also often refrigerated and served cold to improve the texture.
Variations
Maja blanca can easily be adapted to include various other ingredients. Examples include squash maja blanca which uses calabazaCalabaza
Calabaza is a term that can be applied to a variety of gourds and melons grown throughout the world.-Etymology :The word calabaza is derived from the Persian term for melon . The French term "calabasse", and hence "calabash" is based on the older Spanish...
s (Filipino
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
: kalabasa) and a version of maja maiz that uses butter, resulting in a distinctive yellow color.
Another variation of maja blanca is the maja de ube (or maja ube). It uses ube (purple yam) as one of the primary ingredients giving it a characteristic deep purple color.
See also
- Philippine cuisine
- List of dishes using coconut milk
- EspasolEspasolEspasol is a cylinder-shaped Filipino rice cake originating from the province of Laguna. It is made from rice flour cooked in coconut milk and sweetened coconut strips, dusted with toasted rice flour....
- Leche flan
- Sapin-sapinSapin-sapinSapin-sapin is a layered glutinous rice and coconut dessert in Philippine cuisine. It is made from rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, water, and coloring with coconut flakes sprinkled on top. Sapin-sapin means "layers" and the dessert is recognizable for its layers, each colored separately...
- Manjar blancoManjar BlancoManjar blanco is a term used to refer to a variety of delicacies in the Spanish-speaking world. In Spain the term refers to blancmange, a European delicacy found in various parts of the continent as well as the United Kingdom. In the Americas it refers to a sweet, white spread or pastry filling...
- Manjar brancoManjar brancoManjar branco is a pure white Brazilian coconut pudding similar to blancmange. It is identical to the Puerto Rican tembleque. In Brazil manjar branco is made in a ring mold and is served with a sauce made of pitted prunes poached in port wine...