Chef Michael Giovan Sarthou III in his recent demo for The Maya Kitchen Culinary Elite Series shared a popular Pinoy merienda recipe that will surely win the hearts of everyone. This special cassava bibingka is made more special with the addition of nata de coco, kaong and shredded young coconut into the cassava mixture. This is topped with a sweet yema-like glaze. I also have a Cassava recipe for US based Filipinos where one uses frozen cassava bought in Filipino grocery stores.
Here is the recipe
3 cups cassava (grated and sap squeezed out)
1 cup tender coconut shreds
2 cups brown sugar
4 pieces eggs, beaten
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup melted butter
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup nata de coco (optional)
For topping:
1 can condensed milk
¼ cup butter frozen
quick melt cheese
1. Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F. Line a 12” x 12” greased pan with banana leaves and set aside.
2. Mix all ingredients except topping ingredients and pour into pan and spread evenly.
3. Bake for 20 minutes until cake is partially set then drizzle condensed milk evenly over the top and finish by topping with grated frozen butter.
4. Bake for 45 minutes at 200°C/400°F or until top begins to brown. Remove from oven and immediately grate quick melt cheese over cassava cake and cool.
The Maya Kitchen Culinary Elite Series features the country’s top chefs and their culinary creations in cooking demonstrations open to housewives, culinary enthusiasts and the general public. For more information, log on to www.themayakitchen.com or e-mail [email protected].