One of the many things that makes Christmas special is the food. For Filipinos, this means preparing rich and indulgent feasts to match the happiest and most festive time of the year, spreading love and goodness with the ones closest to our hearts.
However, Christmas 2020 is shaping up to be a different one, with many cutting back on their usual celebratory plans—likely including the number of holiday handa. Celebrations are expected to be a more intimate affair that’s limited to members of one’s household with carefully chosen dishes that are delicious but also nutritious.
Still, you don’t have to skip the dessert to keep your health in check. The key is to eat well-balanced meals, do it in moderation, and — as seen in these special holiday recipes created by Chef Allen Buhay — use ingredients that can help you build your immunity.
Chef Allen’s #HolidayGoodnessSpread recipes are made with Quaker Whole Grain Rolled Oats. Oats are a type of superfood and are a natural source of different nutrients including iron, which helps build immunity, among many other benefits.
Don’t miss out on all the fun this Christmas even as you maintain good health, because holiday spreads can be just as good for your body as they are good to your tastebuds. Continue to exercise regularly, take vitamins, and eat delicious, well-balanced meals that are good for you.
Read on to find out how you can make Chef Allen’s #QuakerStrong Christmas snack, dessert, and breakfast creations at home. Happy holidays!
Mango-Graham Oat Bars Recipe
Takes: 1 hour 15 minutes
Makes: 15 to 20 bars
Ingredients for Mango-Graham Oat Bars:
4 cups Quaker Whole Grain Rolled Oats
1 cup chopped cashews
1 cup muscovado sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
10 pcs chopped graham crackers
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 cups organic milk
4 medium organic eggs
4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
mango jam, for topping
How to Make Mango-Graham Oat Bars:
1. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, combine all wet ingredients and mix together.
3. Slowly fold all wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until fully incorporated.
4. Take a 12-inch round tart pan or a 10×10-inch square baking pan and spray the pan with non-stick spray.
5. Line the pan with non-stick baking paper or silicon mat and slowly transfer the mixture into the pan, spreading it evenly.
6. Let the batter sit for 20 to 30 minutes.
7. After the batter has sat, proceed to bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 325 degrees F and another 10 minutes at 350 degrees F.
8. Let it cool and then cut into desired shapes.
9. Serve with a smear of mango jam on top.
Tropical Fruit Cobbler Recipe
Takes: 30 minutes
Makes: 6-inch pan cobbler
Ingredients for Tropical Fruit Cobbler:
For the filling:
1/2 pineapple, cut into chunks
2 large bananas, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 mangoes, cut into big dice
8 large strawberries, cut into half
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup guava jam
For the streusel:
1 cup muscovado sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Quaker Whole Grain Rolled Oats
1/8 tsp fine salt
1/2 cup frozen unsalted butter
How to Make Tropical Fruit Cobbler:
1. To make the filling: Take all the fruit, honey, and guava jam and place in a 6-inch cast-iron pan or ceramic pot and heat slowly for about 5 to 7 minutes over low fire. Set aside.
2. To make the streusel: Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl and slowly “cut” the butter into the mixture.
3. Place streusel on top of the fruit mixture and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F or until golden brown and fruit mixture is sizzling.
Extra Fluffy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread Oatmeal Pancakes Recipe
Takes: 1 hour
Makes: 6 to 7 5-inch fluffy pancakes
Ingredients for Extra Fluffy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread Oatmeal Pancakes:
Chocolate hazelnut spread
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon fine sea salt
1 cup Quaker Whole Grain Rolled Oats, pulverized, blended
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups oat milk
6 egg whites
4 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 cup melted unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 tsp baking soda
fresh fruit, for topping
maple syrup, for topping
How to Make Extra Fluffy Chocolate Hazelnut Spread Oatmeal Pancakes:
1. Take chocolate hazelnut spread, form into small balls, and place on baking sheets. Freeze. Set aside.
2. Take all-purpose flour, salt, cream of tartar, baking soda, Quaker Whole Grain Rolled Oats, whole eggs, butter, and oat milk and mix in a bowl until creamy.
3. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites with powdered sugar until soft peaks.
4. Very slowly fold egg whites into the oats mixture, being careful not to deflate.
5. Take about a cup of the mixture and cook one by one in a nonstick pan with butter.
6. After one side has browned, add frozen chocolate hazelnut spread balls before flipping.
7. Very gently flip and finish cooking the other side for about 4 to 5 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
8. Repeat until all the batter is cooked and serve with fresh fruit or maple syrup.
Quaker Oats products are available in groceries nationwide and online on the Quaker Official Store on Lazada. For more information, follow Quaker Oats Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.
