Native pili nuts were also used, and cashews were considered an alternative. Maria observes that sansrival was being made as early as the 1930s and bakers used almonds whenever available. In the Governor General's Kitchen, food historian Felice Sta. To make it, hot sugar syrup is beaten into egg yolks until thick and when cooled, butter is then whipped into the mixture for a very rich and smooth buttercream.Ĭhopped nuts lend flavor and texture to the whole cake, sprinkled on top and mixed into the meringue itself.
Enjoy exciting unique recipes for a special semi-homemade treat to enjoy with your family and friends. Goldilocks Magical Mash Ups is where we create magical recipes using your favorite Goldilocks products. While perfectly baked meringue forms the base, it is the French buttercream which gives it that unrivaled character compared with sponge-based cakes. Sans Rival Available in Stores Find A Store Mangolicious Available in Stores Find A Store Marble Chiffon Available in Stores Find A. The texture of the meringue wafers vary-some sansrivals produce thick and crunchy layers while others are thin and compact or thick but airy. Although we trace our rich desserts by way of Spain, the sansrival is much like a French dacquoise (nut meringue). Until then, I'll be forced to make it at home.(SPOT.ph) From its name, much is expected of the Gateau le Sans Rival (also, sans rival/sansrival/sanzrival), which in French means "without rival." It's a favorite Filipino meringue-based layer cake served on special occasions or as a dessert. Someday, I'm going to find Sans Rival perfection. It's sinful pleasure that you fantasize about after without guilt because you covet it so. It's addictive and evil in it's intent to lure you to continue eating the whole thing. To my mind, the perfect Sans Rival features chewy layers of baked meringue, with just a slight crisp resistance and is layered with sweet butter frosting that leaves a clean finish on the palate and some bits of cashews to chew on. Truth is, both had their pluses and minuses, but neither emerged as the definitive leader. It's meringue texture was softer and slightly chewy. The Sans Rival from Red Ribbon had a more pronounced butter flavor but also a light sweetness. Crumbly with a light sweetness but a waxy finish. The Silvana from Goldilocks had more of a dry texture. Which one would prevail? Freshly brewed coffee was at hand and we were ready with our forks. We opted for the small, single serving Silvana instead.īack at the house, it was time to put these two rival Sans Rivals head to head. And while they also sold whole Sans Rival cakes, I thought that bringing home two would just be gluttony - even though it was in the name of science. Unlike Red Ribbon, they make ham and cheese ensaymada in the United States, but you've got to get here early because they sell fast. With Sans Rival in tow, we pressed on and happened upon the local Goldilocks. But they do make Sans Rival and for eleven bucks you can have one to take home. Evidently, they just don't make the ham and cheese ensaymada in America. While driving around Cerritos, I spotted the Red Ribbon and we stopped in to see if they had the ham and cheese ensaymada. Some people are fanatical about Goldilocks, but for my money, I prefer Red Ribbon. Edits are allowed within 10 minutes after submission unless you delete your review. In fact, whenever someone comes to visit from the Philippines, I always ask them to bring me a few. I just love their ham and cheese ensaymada. In Manila, one of my favorite bakeries is Red Ribbon. I can't wait.īut today, we've decided to have a Sans Rival Shootout. It sold decent numbers and we'll re-introduce it again this fall. Last year, we introduced the Sans Rival to our customers at The Spro. I haven't had Sans Rival in at least a year.
One of the best I found there was at a cafe called Figaro.įast forward to today. Typically, I'd find it in the form of something called "silvanas," a sort of mini-Sans Rival. Then I started traveling to the Philippines and found it occasionally there as well. During my years in Hawaii, I would have the odd occasion to sample it here and there. It's that good.Īs I got older and started leaving the nest of home for the great expanses of the world, my dreams of Sans Rival went with me. So good and so desired that for many years I was forbidden to eat it. Crispy sweet, baked meringue layered with sugared butter and chopped cashews. Nothing warms my heart more than this classic Filipino dessert. A slice from Red Ribbon on the left, a silvana from Goldilocks on the right.