Put an AI twist to your Noche Buena menu this year

There is no doubt that Artificial Intelligence or AI has disrupted our way of life. Tech-savvy Filipinos are tapping this technology more and more and are taking inspiration from it to create art in the form of text and images. There are also Filipinos, especially the younger generation of homecooks, who are leveraging AI to boost their creativity – as their aid in the kitchen!

“Young Filipinos are becoming more adventurous with their palates. They are not afraid to try out new recipes and experiment on new flavor combinations,” explained Raine Calma, Food & Dairy Culinary Recipe Marketing & Digital Lead.

To inspire them even more, MAGGI has partnered with Cristopher David, a techie cum foodie who trended earlier this year for leveraging Generative AI to put a spotlight on Filipino cuisine. The holiday season, Calma added, is the perfect time for young homecooks to showcase their creativity in the kitchen by cooking these AI-based recipes that no one has tried before.

Start with innovative, exciting appetizers

Bunasinag is an elevated version of the lumpia dish that almost every Filipino has tasted growing up. This festive and innovative appetizer is a crispy, bite-sized roll with a slightly sweet and savory filling. The rolls are filled with a mixture of finely ground pork, tender pieces of jackfruit, and rich, melty cheddar cheese. Adding MAGGI Magic Sarap helps balance the flavors before it is wrapped in a thin, delicate pastry and deep-fried until golden brown.

Guests will also be intrigued with this appetizer – the Chicken Balito. Imagine a tower of small, round balls made from a savory dough filled with minced chicken and diced ham. Seasoned with MAGGI Magic Sarap, these dough balls are lightly fried and are then carefully assembled into a tower-like structure, using bamboo skewers and a base of fried wonton wrappers for support and added crunch.

Filipino get togethers are not complete without a noodle dish and the Pansit Kinambo will not disappoint. This standout dish is rich and creamy unlike any other in traditional Filipino noodle dishes. The sauce, made from a blend of coconut milk, MAGGI Magic Sinigang mix, and roasted peanut paste, creates a tantalizing balance of tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. The dish is served over a bed of thick rice noodles, absorbing the sauce’s robust flavors.

The Noche Buena center of attraction

The Pork Balamisto can be served as the Noche Buena centerpiece in lieu of the traditional lechon. This dish features a whole, bone-in pork shoulder that is slow-roasted to perfection. The pork is marinated overnight in a rich blend of native spices and herbs, allowing the flavors to deeply infuse into the meat. The unique aspect of Pork Balamisto is the crispy, crackling skin achieved through a special roasting technique, where the pork is first basted with MAGGI Magic Sarap and a glaze of pineapple juice and annatto oil, then roasted at a high temperature towards the end. The result is a stunning golden-brown crust that contrasts beautifully with the succulent, tender meat inside.

An alternative centerpiece is the Karinyosang Baka sa Gata, which showcases the richness of Filipino cuisine with a modern twist. To prepare this festive main dish, the beef brisket is slowly simmered in a blend of coconut milk and aromatic spices, including lemongrass and ginger. MAGGI Magic Sarap and MAGGI Oyster Sauce are added for a unique umami kick, harmonizing with the subtle heat from bird’s eye chilies. The dish is further enriched with a colorful medley of green papaya, long beans, and cherry tomatoes, culminating in a vibrant and hearty feast. Garnished with roasted peanuts and a squeeze of calamansi, the Karinyosang Baka sa Gata is a true testament to the festive spirit of a Filipino Christmas Eve.

Mouthwatering desserts

Dulce de Kamote is an exquisite dessert crafted from the humble sweet potato. The core of the dish is a smooth, velvety puree of locally grown sweet potatoes, known for their natural sweetness and earthy flavor. This puree is enriched with creamy coconut milk and Nestlé cream, lending a luxurious texture and depth. A subtle infusion of cinnamon and nutmeg adds a warm, aromatic dimension that complements the sweetness of the kamote. Once the mixture is harmoniously blended, it’s set in individual molds and chilled to achieve a delicate, custard-like consistency.

Another classic dessert flavor is ube. The Ube Kesada is a layered rice cake that showcases the vibrant purple hue of ube halaya (a jam-like preparation of purple yam) juxtaposed against the subtle creaminess of sweetened kesong puti. The base of the dessert is made from glutinous rice, soaked, ground, and then steamed to form a chewy, sticky texture. Between these layers of steamed rice lies a generous spread of rich ube halaya, paired with a sweetened layer of crumbled keso puti. The combination creates a delightful contrast of flavors – the earthiness of ube perfectly complementing the mild saltiness of the cheese, all wrapped in the comforting texture of glutinous rice.

“We are excited for Filipinos to cook these dishes for the first time. May these one-of-a-kind dishes turn their Noche Buena celebrations into an even more magical one this year,” said Calma.

MAGGI has made this AI-generated menu plus 100 other magical Christmas recipes available at https://www.maggi.ph/magicalpasko/.