Maja Blanca with Corn

Maja Blanca is a Filipino dessert made primarily from coconut milk.  Also known as coconut pudding.  It is usually served during fiestas and other holidays, especially Christmas.

I made it yesterday morning just for our snack here at home! :)

4  cups coconut milk
1  cup cornstarch
14  oz. condensed milk
3/4  cup fresh milk
3/4  cup granulated sugar
15  oz. whole sweet kernel corn
5  tablespoons grated coconut

1.  Pour the coconut milk in a cooking pot and bring to a boil.
2.  Add the sugar, condensed milk, and whole sweet kernel corn then stir until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
3.  Simmer for 8 minutes.
4.  Combine fresh milk and cornstarch then whisk until the cornstarch is diluted.
5.  Pour the fresh milk and cornstarch mixture in the cooking pot and stir thoroughly.
6.  Allow to cook while stirring until the mixture reaches your desired thickness.
7.  Pour the  mixture in a serving tray then arrange and flatten the top using a flat tool such as wooden spatula.
8.  Cool down then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
9.  Garnish with toasted grated coconut.
10.  Serve cold.



courtesy of Panglasang Pinoy

Ginataang Hipon (Shrimps in Coconut Milk)

Ginataan, alternatively spelled guinataan, is a Filipino term which refers to food cooked with gata - the Filipino word for coconut milk. Literally translated, ginataan means "done with coconut milk". Due to the general nature of the term, it can refer to a number of different dishes, each called ginataan, but distinct from one another.

Ginataang Hipon is probably one of the best food cooked in coconut milk! Try it!

My mom's Ginataang Hipon

1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 cup green and red bell pepper
2/3 cup coconut milk
1/2 kilo medium size shrimps

1. In a skillet, combine onion, garlic, salt, ginger, and bell pepper with 1/4 cup coconut milk. Bring to boil.

2.. Add the remaining coconut milk. Cook stirring over low heat until it thickens, for about 8 - 10 minutes.

3. Add the shrimps and cook for 5 minutes.


Courtesy of Lutong Pinoy

How to Make Coconut Oil?

Coconut has been part of the culture and traditions of many countries, apart from being used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It is one of the most revered item in  "Ayurveda" ( The complete knowledge for long life) , which originated in India. Uses of coconut oil include its role in the treatment of a number of medical conditions, like constipation, jaundice, swelling, toothache, scabies, colds, burns, scurvy, sore throat, etc. Coconut oil is used in the manufacture of cosmetics, soaps, massage oils and detergents.

Virgin coconut oil is said to be the best type of coconut oil.  It is made from natural processes without using harmful chemicals just to produce good quality of oil.  Plus, it can easily be made; you can do it yourself at home.

Here is how to make coconut oil, specifically  virgin coconut oil:

1.  Get a fresh and mature coconut.

2.  Split the coconut shell with the use of a machete or any cleaver knife. Be very careful in doing this. 

3.  Once you have broken the coconut, grate the coconut meat with a grating machine or with a grating bench. Place the grated meat inside a net bag.

4.  Press the bag tightly with your hands to squeeze out the milk.  Produce more milk by soaking the pressed coconut meat in the coconut water and squeeze it again. 

5.  Coconut oil can be produced from this milk through two different methods - natural fermentation and heating. In the first method, you have to mix the remaining coconut water to the milk and fill the mixture in a transparent glass jar. Allow the jar to remain at room temperature for about 20 hours. This allows the water to settle at the bottom. You can find oil floating above the water and above the oil, there will be a layer of protein, which is white in color. You can then filter the oil, which will be colorless or pale yellow in color.

6.  Another method to make coconut oil is by heating. The coconut milk extracted from the grated coconut meat has to be heated over a low flame. You have to stir the mixture continuously. The mixture becomes thicker as it boils. After some time, the oil starts separating from the mixture. The water will evaporate, leaving the oil behind. Cook for some more time, before turning off the heat. 

Once cool, fill the oil in a clean glass jar, which is devoid of water or moisture. Your homemade coconut oil is ready and you can use it for cooking or for applying on the skin or hair. It is believed that coconut oil is good for a healthy skin and hair. You can even start a coconut oil diet.

source: Buzzer.com 

We tried to make virgin coconut oil last Thursday (April 14, 2011) and applied it on my hair :)

 

Eat Fruits and Stay Healthy

Did you know that the fruits we eat everyday can be used to cure us of most diseases which otherwise have expensive treatments?  Yes, indeed, fruits are relatively cheap altenative to costly medicines.  Discover how to use the following fruits in traditional ways to cure illnesses.

The Avocado

The Avocado is one fruit with various uses.  The fruit is a favorite and can be prepared as part of salads and greens.  Although it has a high fat content, it is a good source of Vitamin A as well.

The Avocado is your best bet for natural remedy to rheumatism and nerve pain.  Just pulverize enough seeds or bark, then mix with cooking oil and warm water.  Apply it on affected area.

Avocado leaves are also effective against diarrhea.  Boil the leaves in two glasses of water for 15 minutes.  Adults need to talk two tablespoons of the water from the boiled leaves every three hours while children take only one teaspoon.

The same water from the boiled leaves can be used for washing and disinfecting wounds. Cool it first before using as wash.

The Atis

Another wonder fruit is everybody's favorite - the atis, which is very good source of carbohydrates for energy and Vitamin C to build up resistance.  Eating this fruit can be tedious to some people who get impatient with the many seeds.  But don't throw away those seeds yet.  Dry them, crush them and mix with enough coconut oil to make an ointment.  Apply to the scalp, and all those lice will be gone for good.

The Guava

One of the most popular and well-liked fruits in our country is the guava.  We enjoy eating it fresh or as a jelly.  Our grandmothers also recommend it as food seasoning - as in sinigang na bayabas.

It is common knowledge that the guava is rich in Vitamin C, calcium and other vitamins and minerals which make it a good all-around healthy fruit.  It also contains iron and Vitamin A.

On top of these, guava leaves contain pectin, which makes them anti-diarrheal.  Clinical tests show that the decoction of guava leaves have anti-bacterial property.  Simply boil chopped leaves (either fresh or dried) in two glasses of water for 15 minutes.  Adults need to take two tablespoons every two hours while children will have to take one tablespoon against diarrhea.

Guava leaves also make great washing solution - aromatic bath, mouthwash, vaginal wash and wash for wounds and itching.  All you need is boil five hands full of fresh leaves in five liters of water for five minutes.

These same leaves will do wonders for toothache.  Simply chew them fresh, but don't swallow.

The Dalanghita

The dalanghita is also known as the Mandarin or King orange.  Its rind is normally used for coloring and as natural freshener.  The fruit is abundant in Vitamin C.

The dalanghita is effective against nausea.  Squeeze a piece of fresh rind (skin) near the nostril and let patient inhale the scent.  This is soothing and washes away nauseous sensations.

The dalanghita leaves, meanwhile are recommended for a relaxing aromatic bath.  Just boil five hands full of fresh leaves in a big pot of water for five minutes.  Cool, then use the mixture as bath.

The Duhat

The duhat can be eaten raw or made into juice or wine.  It contains calcium (for the bones) and iron (for the blood).  If you eat a liberally fleshy portion of the fruit, you also get a good dosage of medicine against diarrhea.

The duhat leaves can also be used as disinfectant wash for sore spots on the skin, like ulcers and wounds.  Boil two hands full of chopped leaves in a small pot of water for five minutes.  Cool and strain, then use as wash.


The Calamansi

Who isn't familiar with the medicinal properties of calamansi?  Our favorite juice and seasoning is rich in Vitamin C, as well as in calcium, phosporous and potassium.  Its rind is also used as flavoring.

The calamansi juice is great antidote for cough, sore throat, and fever.  Drink as much calamansi juice as you body can tolerate.  To satisfy the daily requirement of 100 mg. of Vitamin C, 35 large pieces of calamansi are needed.

Calamansi fresh leaves can also be made into an aromatic bath, especially for sick people or newly delivered mothers.  Boil five hands full of fresh leaves in five liters water for five minutes.

And like its cousin the dalanghita, calamansi can help relieve nausea and fainting.  Squeeze fresh  rind on nostril or patient to inhale.

The Papaya

The ripe papaya is an excellent source of Vitamin C.  It contains good amount of Vitamin A and B, and a fair amount of iron and calcium.  The green fruit is a good source of Vitamin B.  The leaves contain calcium.

The papaya is known to be effective in removing blood clots from wounds and ulcers.  Simly apply latex (dagta) of unripe fruit or trunk on the wound or ulcer.  Wash the latex off after 15 minutes.

And as many of us know eating a generous amount of ripe papaya is your best bet against constipation.

The Coconut

The coconut milk and meat contain fat, proteins, and Vitamin A, B and C.  The coconut water from the fruit aged nine months approximates intravenous solution but has a high potassium content.

The coconut juice is a great rehydrating drink.  Drink water of young fruit (seven to nine months old) after every bowel movement.  Coconut water may be mixed with an equal amount of clean drinking water; one tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon table salt.  Drink every 3 hours.

One or two tablespoons of coconut milk also fight constipation.

( Courtesy of Nestle Homemakers' Club )