Corn and rice are both staple foods in the Philippines. Traditionally, Filipino would crush kernels of raw corn and cook it as a replacement for rice if rice is unavailable to make porridge. For this reason, we will help you learn how to make the best Ginataang Mais (corn in coconut milk) that will inevitably replace your rice diet.
Porridge is a standard method in most Asian countries. In the Philippines, ginataang Mais has become one of the porridge-like comfort foods that are suitable to serve either in hot or cold weather. Thus, every spoon of this porridge brings solace to one's soul.
So be with us as we walk through this featured recipe and learn essential things you need to know. This information might give you confidence in making the best Ginataang Mais.
What is Filipino Sweet Ginataang Mais
Generally, we all know that Ginataang Mais is an original Filipino recipe. Although, there is no documented account portraying how it has originated. Nonetheless, it is apparent that all the ingredients are organic and easily found anywhere in the Philippines.
Ginataang Mais is rice gruel and Filipino sweet corn. Known as Lugaw na Mais (corned porridge). It is a type of dessert combined in two recipes, ginataan (food cooked with coconut milk) and lugaw (rice porridge)
Furthermore, it is a method where you boil glutinous rice (malagkit) until cooked and flavored with coconut milk (gata), sweet corn, and sugar.
Eventually, as many dishes and desserts in the Philippines evolved through time, so did this delectable dessert. At present, most Filipinos would use evaporated milk in place of coconut milk for that flavored creamy punch and taste.
Other elements can also be added like pinipig (pounded young rice kernels), latik (coconut caramel), freshly grated coconut, shreds of jackfruit, vanilla, and butter.
Ways to cook the Filipino Ginataang Mais Recipes
Not only did the ingredients transform, but the way how it is cooked. In this part, we will expound each method on how you can prepare Ginataang Mais.
Instant Pot Ginataang Mais
If you have an Instant Pot at home, then you're lucky because you can put everything inside and leave it. Instant Pot is an excellent cooking method to cook food instantly, but slowly. How does that happen?
Instant Pot is a cooker with preset cooking time mode. It allows you to cook any food at the correct time. So burning your food when you leave it or undercooking it will not be a problem because it doesn't happen in Instant Pot. This method allows your Ginataang Mais to cook without overdoing it and, at the same time, sealing every nutrient within each ingredient.
However, when you set the knob in Congee mode, make sure you do not quick-release the lid after you let the steam out, for the reason that there is still steam accumulated inside. Sticky rice will come spurting out once you do. It can cause a 2nd to 3rd-degree burn. So be very careful.
By the time you are finished with household chores, your Instant Pot Ginataang Mais is hot and waiting for you.
Crock-Pot Ginataang Mais
Compared to Instant Pot, Crockpot can program the food to cook until 20 hours, while instant Pot boils at a shorter time, thus the name "instant." Crock-Pot is another healthy method of cooking because it cooks the food in a slow process.
If you are wondering if you can cook your Ginataang Mais using this equipment, the answer is yes! You can prepare it by adding everything in the Pot and let it cook for about several hours. You will have that ooey, gooey, sticky crockpot Ginataang Mais in no time while keeping healthy.
Pressure Cooker Ginataang Mais
The pressure cooker's mechanism is almost the same as that of the Instant Pot. Still, when it comes to usability, the latter will win. A pressure cooker is a bit of an old school method of cooking your dish, but it still can make a great dessert, like Ginataang Mais.
Like the Instant Pot, you just need to toss everything inside and walk away. Set the knob at high temperature for 30 mins then let the pressure release naturally, and that's it. You will be scooping out a perfect, delicious Pressure Cooker Ginataang Mais in a short while.
Slow Cooker Ginataang Mais
It's good news when you have a slow cooker at home, good news! You can also use it in cooking this favored dessert. Like Crockpot, Instant Pot, and Pressure cooker, Slow Cooker also allows a one-step preparation to help you save time, and it is easy to clean up, too!
Leave the mix to cook for several hours, and you will have that rich, thick, and creamy delight Slow Cooker Ginataang Mais for an easy mid-afternoon snack.
Varying Recipes Styles
Comfort food like this is best when you try to mix it with different innovative toppings. So here is a list of notable variants to explore.
Ginataang Mais with Mung Beans
Ginataang Mais with Mung Beans (monggo beans) is probably a doubtful combination, but hold that thought yet and give it a try. We are sure after once you are finished, it will be so good that it will clear all your prejudice.
Toss your monggo beans (Mung beans) into a heated pan without oil and toast it by moving the container forward and backward. Crush it with a tool available in your kitchen and add it to the rest of the ingredients.
The crushed mung beans will surely add another excellent texture to your Ginataang Mais, and you would not help but come back for another bowl!
Ginataang Mais Vegan
This version is for our friends here in the Philippines and across the world. It is as simple to make as others. All you have to do is gather some short-grain rice and use coconut sugar in place of the regular table sugar, which will amplify the flavor of this vegan dessert.
In addition to this, you may add shredded coconut meat, salted butter, and vanilla extract. You might say, "What coconut meat in this?" but hey, don't doubt it till you try it! This version will surely make you take a tentative mouthful -to take a large bite later on.
Plant-based Ginataang Mais
Vegan and Plant-based diet has been making headlines for several years due to their health benefits. Vegan differs from that of a Plant-based diet. Vegan strictly eliminates all animal products that include dairy, poultry, meat, eggs, honey, and fish.
Some people prefer to support a vegan diet for environmental, ethical, or health reasons. Choosing a Plant-based diet could mean that you can choose whether you consume animal products or not, and focus only on eating foods from plant sources.
Plant-based products include vegetables, fruits, plant-based oil, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. In this case, we will be using ingredients that are all plant-based. You can substitute the rice with buckwheat, or if you can't find it in stores, you can use the untoasted buckwheat groats.
Cook the buckwheat in plant milk such as coconut milk, until it reaches a specific texture and adds the remaining ingredients like the corn kernels until everything cooks. Please take note that buckwheat needs only a few minutes to cook, so be mindful of the time not to let it overcook; otherwise, it will become mushy.
When it's done, scoop it out and throw in some fruit toppings and nuts. You'll have a dulcified breakfast experience that will surely fill your tummy healthily and your heart as well. So wait no more and try this plant-based Ginataang Mais for a heavenly snack treat.
Gluten-free Ginataang Mais
Not all grains are gluten-free, but if your diet consists of plant-based stuff and want to make gluten-free Ginataang Mais, but with a much healthier choice of grain than glutinous rice, you can use quinoa, sorghum, oats, or brown rice.
These are the grains that are highly packed in fiber, making it a better replacement for long grains. Additionally, when you have celiac disease or are sensitive to gluten, there are plenty of gluten-free options available to replace wheat.
Be aware that few selected whole grains contain gluten, while the rest are naturally gluten-free.
On this note, it is vital to check the food labels when purchasing whole grains. Even whole grains can be soiled with gluten, especially when they were manufactured together with gluten-ridden foods.
Troubleshooting
Though this dessert is relatively simple to make, you might encounter some troubles. This problem will bother you, especially so when you don' t meet the right consistency or taste of this dessert as you planned it to be.
Here are the lists of some mishaps and how to salvage your food without so much stress.
- Too sweet - if your result is too sweet for you and you can barely tolerate it, add cinnamon. This herb is known to balance the sweetness a bit.
- Too runny - If the consistency of your Ginataang Mais is not in your liking, you may add more glutinous rice or whatever grain you are using.
- Burnt rice - There's no way to undo burnt rice. However, to salvage the remaining good batch is to pour them in another pot. Transfering will somehow stop the rest of the rice from burning and reduce the burning smell and taste.
Trivia
There are several health benefits that you can find in each of the ingredients of this recipe, especially in its variants. A bowl of this can bring wonders to your health. Even your mood will lighten up! Here is the breakdown of the nutrients you will be consuming when you try this recipe for a snack.
- Glutinous rice - One-half cup of this rice will provide you less than a hundred calories. And the majority of those calories come from carbohydrates. The carbs in the glutinous rice are mainly starch, with a fraction of fiber, and natural sugar.
As it is known, starch is a complex carbohydrate that your body eliminates slowly. Concerning this, some complex carbs aid maintain stable blood sugar levels, which then help keep the body's energy level steady.
- Whole grains - are highly packed with nutrients, fiber, protein, antioxidants, B vitamins, and trace minerals such as copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium.
A food regimen that consists of whole grains has been effective in reducing the risks of having heart diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of Cancer.
Consuming whole grains in their most natural form (without being processed) is the best way to get all these nutrients. Always look at the food labels on store-bought whole grain if it is processed or with a tinge of gluten in them.
Top Tips
We want to help you make the best Ginataang Mais whether you're a pro or just a first-timer on this delectable dessert. Below are the lists of tips you can do to improve your cooking. Read on!
- Fresh Corn Cob - you might be tempted to use the canned corn to save time for the prep, but we encouraged you to use the new corn cub. Seriously! The taste would be different. The fresh corn has that sweet and brighter taste.
- Boil the cobs - boil the cobs to extract all the remaining flavors and juices from it in coconut milk. By this, you will have extra creamy and flavor-filled Ginataang Mais.
- Stir, stir, stir - do not let the rice just cook on its own if you are using a stove. Stir the rice occasionally to prevent it from burning, and stick at the bottom of the Pot.
Ideally Served With
This dessert can be easily paired up with another snack, dish, or even desserts! Yes! We listed down below some selection of food that will surely complete your mid-afternoon cravings!
- Toasted garlic bread - what a gratifying combination. The garlicky taste and aroma of the food swirling together with the creamy-sweet rice pudding inside your mouth is a slice of heaven on earth. The contrasting tastes and flavors will make you want to come back for more.
In addition to this, the crunchiness and the smooth, velvety texture of these two can give you a gustatory satisfaction.
- Tea - eat your Ginataang Mais when cold and drink your warm cup of tea, what's this? Perfect balance!
- Lumpiang Shanghai - don't doubt it yet! The meaty flavor of shanghai will deliciously complement the sweetness of this dessert. This combo will bring you to that perfect balance of saltiness and sweetness. This food will boost your appetite!
Conclusion
We hope we gave you perfect ideas on how to make the superb Ginataang Mais. If you liked this recipe, come on and give it a try! And if you did, don't forget to rate this recipe well. Talk to us by commenting down below. Enjoy your gastronomic adventure!
For more delicious recipe, visit Eat Like Pinoy!
Recipe
Superb Ginataang Mais: 101 Cooking
Ingredients
- 1 lb Glutinous rice
- 2 pcs Sweet corn
- ½ cup Sugar
- 2 cups Coconut milk
- 3 cups Water
- 1 pc Pandan leave
Instructions
- Pour 2 cups of water in a casserole.
- Put-in the corn and pandan leaves and let it boil for 10 minutes.
- Then add the glutinous rice. Stir and cook for about 20 minutes.Note: Stir continuously to avoid the rice to stick on the pan.
- Add the sugar, 1 cup of water, and 2 cups of coconut milk. Stir well until it boils.Note: To avoid curdling of the coconut milk, cook for another 5 minutes.
- Serve while hot!
