Ube, also known as Purple Yam, is a beloved dessert that all Filipinos know how to make, especially during special occasions like fiestas, birthdays, Christmas, and New Year celebrations. This vibrant and creamy treat, with its unmistakable purple hue, has been a staple in Filipino culture for generations. However, preparing and cooking ube can be quite a task, requiring constant stirring until it reaches the perfect thickness and consistency.
To give you an idea of what pandesal is, let me share a cherished memory. Pandesal is a type of bread usually eaten for breakfast, often partnered with a hot cup of coffee. When I was little, my grandma would wake us up at 5:00 am to walk to the bakery and buy freshly baked pandesal. Why so early? We believed that the bread was at its best right around this time, just as it was being removed from the masonry oven, or “pugon.” This gave us the privilege of picking the biggest and softest ones, still warm and fragrant from the oven.
Pandesal, with its soft and slightly sweet flavor, has become a morning favorite for many Filipinos. This bread holds a special place in our hearts, not just for its taste, but for the memories and traditions it represents. It’s the perfect companion to ube, combining two of the most beloved Filipino flavors into one delightful treat.
Ube in Filipino Traditions
- Festive Dessert: Ube, especially in the form of ube halaya, is a must-have during festive occasions like fiestas, birthdays, Christmas, and New Year. Its vibrant color and sweet taste make it a favorite among Filipinos.
- Symbol of Togetherness: Making ube halaya often involves family members working together, stirring the mixture until it reaches the perfect consistency. This process fosters bonding and creates lasting memories.
Pandesal in Filipino Traditions
- Breakfast Staple: Pandesal is a beloved breakfast bread, usually enjoyed with coffee or hot chocolate. Families often buy it early in the morning from local bakeries, making it a cherished daily ritual.
- Community Connection: The tradition of buying freshly baked pandesal strengthens community ties, as neighbors and friends meet at the bakery, sharing warm conversations and stories.
Both ube and pandesal embody the essence of Filipino culture, bringing families and communities closer together. Have you had a chance to enjoy these delightful traditions?
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 4 cups Flour
- 1 tbsp Instant Yeast
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/3 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Ube Powder
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 1/3 cups Fresh Milk
- 1/4 cup Water
- 2/3 cup Grapeseed Oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 2 tsp Ube Extract
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 drops Purple Food Coloring
Filling:
- Ube Jam
Coating
- Bread crumbs
Instructions
Instructions
- 1
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, salt, sugar, and ube powder.
- 2
Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a microwave-safe bowl, mix fresh milk, water, and butter. Microwave for 1 minute.
- 3
Combine Wet Ingredients: Add grapeseed oil, ube extract, vanilla extract, and purple food coloring to the milk mixture.
- 4
Form Dough: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
- 5
Knead Dough: Using an electric mixer with the dough hook attachment, knead the dough for 10 minutes.
- 6
First Rise: Keep the dough in the mixing bowl and cover it with a clean towel. Let it rise for 2 hours until it doubles in size.
- 7
Shape Dough: Punch down the dough to release air. Divide it into portions and shape each piece into a round ball.
- 8
Fill Dough: Flatten each ball and place a spoonful of ube jam in the center. Seal the dough around the filling.
- 9
Coat with Breadcrumbs: Roll each filled dough ball in breadcrumbs and place them on a baking tray.
- 10
Second Rise: Cover the tray with a clean towel and let the dough rise for 1 hour.
- 11
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Bake the Pandesal for 20 minutes or until golden brown.