Comfort Food: Filipino Maruya

Last week, my boys attended "Filipino Immersion Camp" for two days at our church. My kids, third-generation Filipino-Americans, learn little about where their grandparents came from. The stories and cultural traditions their grandparents share are the only connection my boys have to their cultural background. Upon hearing about the "Filipino Immersion Camp", I thought it to be a great experience for my boys to learn more about their culture.

For two days they learned Filipino folk songs and dances, crafts, traditions, the arts, and so much more. At the end of day two, they were super excited to have me cook "maruya" that they learned how to cook. 

Maruya is often eaten as "merienda" in the Philippines. Merienda can be compared to 'afternoon tea', a light meal between lunch and dinner, often shared with others over conversation. 

Here are my boys explaining the process of making maruya:



Recipe:
  • 1 cup pancake mix prepared as directed (or one cup of your favorite pancake recipe)
  • 3 ripe bananas, sliced lengthwise (and again in half to preference)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil (I like using coconut oil)


Directions:
  • Warm frying pan and oil at low to medium heat
  • Dip the bananas pieces into the batter and place in frying pan
  • Flip banana when golden brown, fry other side until golden brown as well
  • Cool on paper towel to drain excess oil
  • Sprinkle sugar on top and ENJOY!