Bibingka

BIBINGKA

All over SE Asia, there are sweet and savory treats that are made from rice flour — Kueh, Kuih or in Tagalog, Kakanin. Bibingka is one such dish. I hate to call it a dessert because it’s often eaten as a breakfast or afternoon “merienda” snack and it also straddles that magic space between sweet and savory so the dessert misnomer can be confusing. We often eat this during the Christmas holiday. I have memories eating this warm after going to Mass when I was a kid. These days, I may not go to Mass but this dish has that holiday association for me. This year, I decided to make these and give them as gifts to friends. It felt good to know that I was surrounded by people that would understand this dish. We’ve come a long way.

Bibingka is made with a combination of rice flour and glutinous rice flour combined with sugar, butter, eggs and coconut milk. It was traditionally cooked over an open flame in banana leaves so the version I make bakes this in banana leaves to give it that flavor and aroma. It is topped with some savory toppings like cheese, salted eggs and grated coconut. I love it eaten warm with some melted butter and I’ve taken to also drizzling some hot honey on top. It’s so good.

♥️Tricia