Holiday recipes from chef Sandy Daza

The warmest Merry Christmas greetings to this site’s readers and friends! So how was your celebration? We spent it in Manila like we’ve done through the years. The traffic and the shopping were toxic.. at one point I wished I was in another time, or another planet. Anyway, here’s my half-finished table setting last night. I love Christmas coz of the decor we have to play with!

Christmas is truly a big event in the Philippines, but from what I know New Year’s here is an even bigger eating affair. We take out all round objects and the family table epitomizes the land of plenty with food, food, food all around.

A few weeks ago, I attended the cooking class of chef/restaurateur Sandy Daza at The Maya Kitchen and am sharing some recipes here and in my food blog.

First, there’s bread pudding with custard sauce which is the answer to all the leftover bread from Christmas Eve. This also makes a great potluck dish. How to make:

1. Gather all the needed ingredients:

400 grams american bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
8 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all purpose cream
2 1/2 cups milk
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup raisins
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2. Butter a baking dish. Arrange cubed bread on the dish. In, a bowl, whisk eggs, cream, milk, sugar, raisins and vanilla extract. Pour mixture over bread and submerge everything. Mix well. Press down occasionally. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

3. To make custard sauce, simmer the following ingredients in a sauce pan until thick:

1/2 cup all purpose cream
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup local rum
2 teaspoons MAYA Cornstarch

Pour over baked bread pudding and serve.

Please also check my food blog for the following recipes: shepherd’s pie, spam fried rice, coq au vin or chicken in red wine. Will upload them soon! 🙂