Cocina de Mercedes: Maja Blanca (Coconut Pudding)

I got news that my grandma will be coming back home this October! Yehey! It would just mean that I will be able to taste her delicious home cooking once again. Hehehehe!

To be honest I got my love for good food and cooking from my mom and grandma. With that, this post wouldn’t be complete without sharing with you a recipe of their favorite dessert the Maja Blanca (Coconut Pudding). This dessert is usually served during fiestas and holidays (oh boy, I would usually see this sweet treat during Christmas) Adapted from the traditional Spanish dessert manjar blanco which means white delicacy, Maja Blanca is one of the well-loved Filipino dessert made primarily from coconut milk and cornstarch. It has a gelatine-like consistency and is usually creamy white in color.

When asked my mom and grandma on how to come-up with the perfect consistency of  this dessert, they would proudly say, “its with the stirring my dear” Hahahahaha! And there’s one thing I found out about the usual yellowish color. It’s not because of the corns or the cheese that you would mix with it, it’s because of the yellow food coloring. LOL!

I did try re-making this dessert and it went so well and delicious!

Anyway, in preparation for Mother’s Day celebration, here’s my take on the delicious Maja Blanca (coconut pudding):

Ingredients:

• 200 grams of cornstarch
• 2 1/2 cup of evaporated milk
• 2 1/2 cup coconut milk)
• 2  cups of condensed milk
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup whole kernel corn
• 1 cup finely grated mild cheddar cheese (or cut into small cubes if you desire)
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter

Procedure:

1. In a saucepan, dissolve cornstarch in water then put-in coconut milk, evaporated milk,  sugar, condensed milk and butter and mix it together.
2. Cook with medium heat stirring for 15 minutes. Continue stirring quickly to avoid lumps as it becomes very thick.
3. Add the whole kernel corn. Stir for about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat.
4. Immediately pour mixture into molds. You may use a large dish or individual serving molds. Top with cheese.
5. Allow to completely cool down then chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
6. Slice and serve.