Staying at home for the past months has brought out the inner baker in many of us. Even before the pandemic, baking has proven to be a therapeutic way of managing our fears and anxieties. And it isn’t just about enjoying something warm and delicious.
Baking involves all our senses and our full attention, forcing us to focus on the recipe and quiet down our own inner dialogues. It gives us a semblance of control in times of uncertainty, not only during times such as these, but throughout all challenges in life.
That is why The Maya Kitchen encourages you to keep your newfound baking habit alive even as we gradually emerge from quarantine. Baking is not only meditative, it also unleashes our creativity, allowing us to express ourselves, experiment with substitutes, and troubleshoot baking problems right in the moment. It teaches us to be more patient as we wait for the dough to rise or the cake to bake perfectly in the oven.
Plus, baking allows us to bond and the make the most out of our time with our loved ones—over some delicious treats and new learnings, of course. Baking and its sweet results simply bring people together and add joy to their lives, which is quite a feat in these times.
So bake on and make yourself and others happy. While at it, take your love for baking a bit further with these easy-to-follow recipes from The Maya Kitchen.
Pandesal
INGREDIENTS
• 2 teaspoons yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 4 ½ – 5 cups sifted MAYA All-Purpose Flour
• breadcrumbs, as needed
INSTRUCTIONS
Dissolve yeast in ¼ cup of water. In a bowl, combine the remaining water, sugar, salt and shortening. Add 4 cups of the flour and the yeast mixture. Mix well then transfer to a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Use the remaining flour for dusting the table and your hands if the dough gets sticky. Place dough on a greased bowl, cover and let it rise until double in bulk.
Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C. Place risen dough on a floured surface. Flatten with your hands to form a rectangle about 16 x 3 inches. Starting at one end, roll up the dough with the right hand while sealing with the left hand to form a cylindrical strip of dough. Roll in bread crumbs. Let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Cut dough into pieces about 1 ½-inch thick. Place in baking sheet cut side up. Let the dough pieces rise until light, for approximately 1 hour. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
YIELD
2-3 dozens
Coffee Hotcakes
INGREDIENTS
• 1 pack MAYA Fluffy n’ Tasty Original Hotcake mix 200 grams
• 1 piece egg
• 2 tablespoons oil
• ½ cup brewed coffee cooled (or dissolve 1-2 tablespoons instant coffee powder in ½ cup water)
• unsalted butter maple syrup as needed
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until slightly lumpy (do not over mix).
2. Pour ¼ cup hotcake batter mix onto pre-heated, lightly greased pan or flat skillet. (as much as possible, try to make your pancake round)
3. Cook until bubbly then turn to cook the other side.
4. Serve with butter and syrup.
Yield: 5 to 6 hotcakes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Caramel Choco Fudge Brownies
Ingredients
• 1 pack MAYA Chocolate Fudge Brownies prepared according to package directions
Caramel layer:
• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate ganache:
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup dark chocolate chopped
• Assorted nuts chocolate chips, for topping
Instructions
1. Bake brownies according to package directions. Set aside.
2. In a nonstick pan, heat up caramel ingredients until thick (Softball stage 200-220°C). Pour this over the prepared brownie.
3. In a microwavable bowl, heat up cream for about 30 seconds. Add in chocolate. Microwave in 20 second bursts until chocolate is melted and ganache is smooth. Spread top caramel layer. Top with desired nuts, chocolate chips and other toppings.
4. Set aside to set. Cut into bars. Serve.
Yield: 16 bars
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Learn great recipes at www.themayakitchen.com. If you want to take your baking and cooking skills up a notch check out Maya Kitchen’s course offerings at the website, e-mail contactus@themayakitchen.com, or visit The Maya Kitchen Culinary Center every Tuesday to Saturday at 8F Liberty Building, 835 A. Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road), Makati City or call 8892-1185 or 8892-5011 local 108 or +63929 679 6102.
