amigas, Pastillas!

Oh, to have studied in a time, like my sister Ate J, when Spanish was required in Philippine colleges. Likely, the rigours of school would be compelling. Would I be fluent in this ~3rd language now? 😉  But then again, why not?  It's never too late to learn something new.

Off to a good start via this simple Filipino treat - Pastillas, also known as Pastillas de Leche. You can 'speak' your cake and eat it too! 👅👅 Puede!

In this post, the terms below are sprinkled here and there. Spot it?

Sweet history: "The concept of sweetening and transforming native ingredients like fruits or carabao milk into pill or tablet shapes, i.e. pastillas, was introduced by Spanish colonists 'perhaps, perhaps, perhaps sometime around the late 1800s'..." Source: Serious Eats  

Pastillas can end any meal on a sweet note. After indulging, may be best to wash down the saccharine pills with cool water, IMO especially for the young uns.

Easy, preparing this makes for a great bonding time . Tactile, and with the option 🆓 to choose one's favorite food color amps up the fun. Some muscle may be required from the grown-ups for a bit of kneading, but hey, we all need every excuse for some exercise. 😉

There are many tasty versions out there, but I found this to be the easiest, what with only 3 staple ingredients, plus no stove required. 💃

🍬 Ingredients
1 cup milk powder
1/2 cup condensed milk
dash of food coloring
powdered / confectioner's sugar or asukal

🍬 Steps
0 - Pour 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar into a small bowl.
     Set aside.
1- In a non-stick mixing bowl, pour milk powder (sift if there are lumps).
2- Add condensed milk, around 3/4 of the portion.
3 - Mix together, add condensed milk until kneading consistency is reached.
     Add more condensed milk, if a bit hard.  Add more powdered milk, if runny.
5 - Add food coloring. 
6 - Knead until well combined.
7 - Sprinkle some flour on a clean, flat working surface, and transfer the pastillas "dough".
8 - Form into a roll.
9 - Divide evenly into desired size.
10 - Ball or mold into desired shape. 
11 - Drop gently each piece onto the sugar bowl and coat with sugar.
       This prevents the pieces from sticking together.
12 - Place in a serving container or keeping jar,
       or wrap each in a colorful wrapper (papel de hapon / Japanese paper).

Enjoy!

Here's our take -- unwrapped goodness in bright Christmas colors:

  

Some may find this version less pillowy, but a bit of a bite is sakto lang for my gang.

Learned from: xoCrisette