Aside from its magnificent tourist attractions, wonderful sights, elegant hotels and pristine beaches, Cebu is also host to a number of gastronomic treats, one of which is the masareal, a known delicacy that originated from Mandaue City.
These sweet nibbles come in rectangular bars and are wrapped in paper. Made from peanuts and sugar syrup, masareal is a delightful treat for kids and sweets-loving adults. In fact, this is a favorite delicacy for balikbayans to bring back abroad. Today, masareal is sold in various shapes and designs. They come in fancy silhouettes and contours.
Masareal is not readily available for our kababayans abroad. Apparently, no one exports masareal. Guess they will just have to ask for their relatives in the Philippines to send them masareal.
However, you can make your own masareal by following these simple steps:
Prepare a kilo of peanuts, a cup of sugar and a cup of water. Place the unshelled peanuts in a pot full of water, and let the water boil. When the peanuts are cooked, let it cool down. Thereafter, shell the peanuts and grind them fine.
Prepare your sugar syrup by mixing the sugar and water in a pot over the stove. Once the syrup thickens, put the ground peanuts. Continue stirring the mixture until it becomes thick.
Afterward, pour the thick concoction over a thin baking sheet. Flatten and even out the surface, and let it cool down. Lastly, cut it into rectangular strips, and voila! You now have your own masareal.
