In the Philippines, Yemas for Christmas

A few years ago we spent Christmas in a small rural town in Pampanga, Philippines for Saveur magazine. It was one of most memorable, Christmas-y Christmases ever with lots of good cheer and heaps of good eats. Let's just say that that those Filipinos who celebrate the holiday really know how to do Christmas.

One of the many things I learned to make that Christmas week was yemas, milky candies scented with lime rind. They require few ingredients and are a fun diversion from Christmas cookies. And look at that photo -- don't they look festive in their cellophane wraps? A yemas recipe and how-to slideshow are our latest contribution to food and wine website Zester Daily -- find them here.

You can read our Saveur Philippines Christmas feature, with recipes, here. And over the last few years I've posted a couple more recipes from that trip on this blog: over-the-top giant prawns simmered in coconut milk and green papaya fritters with black pepper vinegar.

 

Comments

[Snippets of Thyme]

Wow. That was one meaty article in Saveur. The photos are just fantastic. The faces of the people seem so kind and open.

[Marc]

I want some of those yemas now. Classic!

Perhaps add a few pastillas de ube (purple yam) and pastillas de leche (water buffalo milk).

And don't forget the piece de resistance for Christmas: tocino del cielo, literally means Bacon from Heaven. And it's not flan, mind you.

Here's a couple of links for the recipe and both good read too. Perhaps you may want to try it for Christmas.

http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/tocino-del-cielo-bacon-from-heaven

http://scentofgreenbananas.blogspot.com/2005/06/imbb-16-tocino-de-cielo.html

[the food dude]

So glad you liked the yemas, I've heard some people here created a cake based on yemas, I should try that out. Great photo!

[bertN]

Yemas or no yemas, have a Merry Christmas!

[northbysudouest]

Hello,
I love the article in Saveur! The photographs are really beautiful. Inspired by bloggers like yourself, I have begun writing my own blog about food. I am a chef who left the UK three years ago to live and work in the South of France. My blog basically talks about my french food adventures. I would be very grateful if you could have a look and tell me what you think... www.northbysudouest.blogspot.com keep blogging and taking fantastic photos! Thanks nbso

[Pooja Singh]

Can i have one those candies please? They are looking so yummy.

[babe_kl]

Wishing you a New Year filled with bright new beginnings. Happy New Year!

[Tamilnadu Tourism]

Those candies in their colourful covers are really very tempting!!

[WineDineDaily]

Loved your article and photos! Happy New Year!
Cheers:)
Judit & Corina

[Robyn]

Snippets - Thank you. It remains one of our favorites, and we had such an amazing experience in Arayat. Filipinos are wonderfully generous folks.

Thanks Marc -- If I had my choice it would be the empanada recipe in the article for Xmas breakfast ... along with tsokolate with carabao milk. :-)

food dude -- now that would be a cake to seek out!

Happy New Year to you Bertl (I'm too late for Xmas).

babe_kl, Judit and Corina -- same to you. Here's to much deliciousness in 2012!

[D Murphy]

They look fabulous! So festive:) Happy New Year:)