A Bread-y Christmas

CEBU, Philippines – Christmas is a time for the ordinary to be made extraordinary, and the everyday gets transformed into something magical. Many homes are already dressed up in glittering and bright Christmas lights, or in the warm feeling that wafts in the air during family reunions, or perhaps on how everyone tries to improve on their character and mindset to become better persons.

Indeed, the season is a time to look with fresh eyes on everything in our daily lives. Take the dinner table as an example. While we love to pile it up with all things special for Christmas, like delectable hams or exquisite cheeses, it is not complete without the bread that's a staple in the Christmas dining experience.

And if you choose only Gardenia for your dining table on a day-to-day basis, then this special bread shall continue to be part of your festive Noche Buena table. Gardenia breads have already proven to be "healthylicious" with or without "palaman," All the more, the bread can be turned into remarkable holiday treats.

For one, you can make delicious Bibingka Tart using Gardenia Classic White Bread and Fruit Cake Pudding using Gardenia Wheat Cranberry Loaf!

Gardenia Bibingka Tart

(Makes 4 pieces)

Ingredients:

.           4 slices Gardenia

           Classic White Bread

.           1 cup rice flour

.           ½ cup light brown sugar

.           ½ tbsp. baking powder

.           2 eggs, beaten

.           1½ tbsp. unsalted  butter, melted

.           200 ml coconut milk

.           1 banana leaf

.           ½ tbsp. unsalted butter, sliced

.           1 tbsp. fresh (or frozen) grated coconut

Procedure:

.Using a rolling pin, flatten the sides of 3 slices of Gardenia Classic White Bread. Leave the center bulky so that the bread will not be too soggy.

.Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).  Prepare a lightly greased 8 x 3 in. round baking pan. Alternatively, lined with flattened White Bread. Set aside.

.In a bowl, place rice flour, brown sugar, baking powder, eggs, melted butter and coconut milk; mix thoroughly.

.Pour butter mixture into prepared bread pan. Bake for 1 hour or until browned (a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean).

.Place the cake onto a serving platter and put butter slices on top. Sprinkle with grated coconut. Serve.

This recipe makes four pieces.

Gardenia Fruit Cake Pudding

Ingredients:

.8 Slices Gardenia Wheat Cranberry Loaf, large diced

.250 g all-purpose cream

.250 g low fat milk

.2 pcs. egg yolks

.2 pcs. whole eggs

.60 g white sugar

.2.5 g ground cinnamon

.40 g raisins, soaked in rum

.40 g grapes, soaked in rum, sliced

.40 g mango, diced

.1 tsp vanilla extract

For the sauce:

.1 cup all-purpose cream

.60 g white sugar

.30 ml rum (of your choice)

.½ tbsp cornstarch

Procedure:

.Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut bread into large dice. Set aside.

.In a saucepan, heat half of the cream, milk, ground cinnamon and half of the sugar. Let it simmer.

.In a bowl, place whole eggs, egg yolks, half of the remaining sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk them together. Once your cream mixture is simmered, temper your egg mixture by pouring your cream mixture slowly to the eggs and by whisking your egg mixture constantly.

.Add the remaining cream and sift it using a sifter.

.Soak diced bread into the cream mixture and transfer it to a non-stick baking pan with the fruits in it. Bake it on hot water until it's totally cooked.

For the sauce:

.Heat cream and sugar together. In another bowl combine rum and cornstarch together and then pour it on the simmering cream mixture.

.Mix well until a bit thick. Pour mixture on top of fruitcake. Plate and serve.

This recipe serves three to four persons.

Gardenia breads are available at leading supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide. For more out-of-the-box recipes, the Gardenia website is at: www.gardenia.com.ph.