The lockdown might have stopped us from physically travelling to places new and old, but it didn’t keep us from going on trips — FOOD TRIPS, to be exact! Since the quarantine started back in early 2020, there have been plenty of DIY food trends that kept us busy in our own kitchens. Here’s a rundown of some of our favorites!
Quarantine Food Trends
Dalgona Coffee
Dalgona coffee took over everyone’s social media feeds at the beginning of last year’s lockdown. It’s easy to understand why: using only simple ingredients you most likely already have (instant coffee, milk, sugar, and ice), you can whip yourself up a creamy, satisfying, and Instagram-worthy drink!
No hand mixer? Use a whisk! No whisk? Even a fork (and a little extra effort) will do!
Check out this simple and easy Dalgona Coffee recipe here.
Pancake Cereal
Pancakes and cereal have been breakfast favorites for generations, so it kinda makes sense to combine the two. And it shouldn’t be surprising that it actually works! This trend is really cute (look at those mini pancakes!), really easy to make (just use your regular pancake recipe but make smaller pancakes), and really yummy — which might explain why it got so popular!
Our tip? Add some banana or even strawberry slices to take your pancake cereal bowl to the next level!
Want to try making your own pancake cereal from scratch? Check this out!
Kori Kohi
Kori Kohi is an international coffee trend that actually started in the Philippines! Created by UCC Philippines, you make Kori Kohi by brewing coffee and freezing it into ice cubes. Next, you put those coffee cubes in a glass and pour warm milk over them. And voila — you have a refreshingly milky coffee beverage that’s especially perfect for warm days.
Learn to make Kori Kohi here!
TikTok Pasta
TikTok trends can sometimes end up being overhyped, but TikTok Pasta is actually really good. If you want to try it out, you’ll need a block of feta cheese (any brand will do), cherry tomatoes, and your favorite pasta (you choose the shape). While those ingredients may be a bit on the pricey side, trust us — it’s worth it.
Want to try making your own TikTok Pasta? Click here.
Sourdough Bread
A lot of people who wanted something that’s more challenging than the 3-steps-or-less recipes found their match in baking sourdough bread! This food trend made a huge wave last year.
Find a beginner-friendly sourdough recipe here!
Chocolate Chip Cookies
While these have long been popular, the lockdown inspired many home bakers to experiment more in order to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe! From crisp to chewy to chunky, from drenched in milk to sugar-free, the quarantine saw a lot of new varieties of this classic cookie.
Check out this chocolate chip cookie recipe and this no-bake cookie recipe
Sushi Bake
Some Japanese food purists may have been a bit averse to this food trend (because sushi should be raw), but this food trend actually works! Think of it as a giant California roll that’s been unrolled, baked like your typical casserole, served with cheese and Japanese mayo toppings, and with the nori (seaweed) on the side. Definitely worth a try if you like sushi, or if you’re feeling adventurous.
Make your own Sushi Bake platter with this recipe.
Ube Cheese Pandesal
The combination of ube, cheese, and pandesal might not sound like much, but this simple snack surprisingly took the locked down Philippines by storm last year! Soft, flavorful, and cheesy, there’s just something about ube cheese pandesal that we can’t put into words — we just know we want more!
Check out Ube Cheese Pandesal recipes here and here!
Milky Cheese Donuts
Another surprisingly scrumptious combination of Filipino merienda favorites, milky cheese donuts are like a meeting of bicho bicho and ensaymada. This sweet and salty snack uses common kitchen ingredients — and doesn’t require any oven baking!
Check out this popular recipe for Milky Cheese Donuts!
Bottled Cocktails
Bars might still be closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get buzzed on a drink or two! Ready-made bottled cocktails and DIY mixed drinks have become a popular choice for many remote work teams and barkadas! The best part about making your own drinks at home? You can crash anytime — and wake up without worrying where you put your phone, wallet, or keys.
Learn how to make your own drinks here or find where you can get bottled cocktails here
Ready-to-Cook Restaurant Food
Perfect for the hungry but lazy foodies, our go-to fast food chains as well as casual and fine dining establishments have made ready-to-cook home versions of their famous orders available during the lockdown! Miss getting fresh-from-the-fryer Potato Corner fries? How about that classic Pancake House fried chicken? Make your own “dine-in” experience and stock up on some of your favorite ready-to-cook restaurant dishes.
The on-and-off lockdowns may have inspired more of us to enjoy food trends, but be sure you stay healthy by getting some exercise in, too! Check out safe online workouts you can do at home — like Spider Flow Yoga or Happy Sweat Abs Workout, which are always available on SHOOR!
