IF THERE’S a silver lining in this quarantine, it’s the surge of talented home cooks and passionate food entrepreneurs. With so much more free time spent at home, a lot of people have resorted to the simple joys of cooking (and eating). There’s a long list of delicious things to make and try but for the past few months, these five have proven to be constant favorites of many:
Sushi Bake
It’s essentially a sushi roll but deconstructed into a casserole-style dish. Rice, furikake, and a savory ingredient like kani or tuna are layered in a pan and popped in the oven. To enjoy, take a spoonful from the pan, put it on a crisp sheet of nori, and fold like you would with a taco.
Banana Bread
What makes banana bread so good is its simplicity. It does away with frilly frosting and laborious preparation—the bread itself is the star. While some prefer it plain, it’s easy to jazz up with a bunch of mix-ins like chocolate chips, raisins, walnuts, and cream cheese.
Everything Ube
Just when you thought the craze for ube stopped with pandesal, people got even more creative with it. Think ube kakanin, buchi, cookies, empanada, doughnuts, pies—who knows what else people can come up with. We just can’t get enough of ube!
Basque Burnt Cheesecake
Typically, cheesecakes need to look pretty and presentable, but not this one. This crustless cheesecake is cooked in high heat which results in its infamous “burnt” surface. Don’t let its looks discourage you though; it’s just as good and decadent as its New York-style cousin.
DIY Ramen Kit
Ramen is something you would want to eat on the spot and not order to-go. Replicating it yourself at home is a bit of an undertaking, too. The best compromise? A do-it-yourself ramen kit complete with all the components and instructions you need to whip up a hot bowl right in your own kitchen.