Durian Fruit Recipes: Ways to Challenge Your Taste Buds and Creativity

The consensus about durian is clear. Either you like it or you don’t. More than just a fruit, it has become a food curiosity among many people around the world. It is something you have to try when you visit the Philippines. Of course you don’t have to like it, but at least you get the bragging rights to say I tasted it.

The durian is a truly unique fruit. Whether you call it an exotic delicacy or Mother Nature’s freak accident with evolution, it’s here to satisfy and shock taste buds. For the purist out there, nothing is as enthralling as biting into the fleshy fruit. But there are those who push the boundaries of creativity and turn durian into unique food eats.

Durian Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh durian
• 1 whole banana, don’t forget to remove the peel
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tsp lemon juice or calaminsi juice
• 6 ounces of water

Instructions:

Mix everything and blend until frothy. You can mix in other fruits like strawberries, berries or whatever is in season. You may also want to experiment of spices like nutmeg to add additional flavor – as if it is not tasty enough. But hey, it’s your tongue on the line anyway.

Durian Cream Puffs

I love cream puffs. If you love it as well, you may want to explore on durian filling for your pastry. It can sound a bit drastic and the taste can be a bit strong, but you can always tweak the recipe to follow your taste bud’s pleasure.

Pastry ingredients:

• 250g wheat flour
• 200 g butter
• 250 ml water
• 10 eggs

Custard ingredients

• 1 L milk
• 500 g fresh durian
• 100 g custard powder
• 100 g sugar
• Pinch of salt

Preparing the custard:

1. Mix all custard ingredients except the durian.
2. Place over low heat until it thickens
3. Add the durian fruit and cook for 5 more minutes.
4. Set aside and let it cool

Preparing the pastry:

1. Boil the water and toss in the butter. Add the flour and stir until the dough no longer sticks to the side of the pot.
2. Beat eggs then to the dough,
3. Pour mixture into a piping bag and pipe onto a greased cookie sheet.
4. Place puff in a preheated oven (200⁰C) for 20 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 170⁰C then bake for 10 minutes more.
5. Slice the puff into 2
6. Fill the puff with the Durian custard.
7. Chill then serve

Makes 15 durian cream puffs

Durian candies and tarts

Durian candies are not uncommon. In fact, they are the easiest way to carry durian around. These candied treats are a good way to train your taste buds to life this fruit.

Durian ice cream

Just follow your basic ice cream procedure and then add durian fruit as a flavoring. Some recipes add other ingredient like apples, blueberries, vanilla. Adding other ingredients apart from the milk and sugar makes the taste more palatable.

Durian Pancakes

I’m sure you’re familiar with blueberry pancakes, banana pancakes and other common fruits mixed into the pancake batter. Instead of the mediocre pancakes for breakfast, add some exotic delight to it. I’m not kidding I saw a recipe for this!

Durian muffins

Baking is something my wife and I enjoy. We experiment on many ingredients but we have not tried using durian. So if anyone who is brave enough to do this, please tell us how it turns out.

Durian Coffee

Move over Starbucks, durian coffee is here! This unique beverage is a blend of durian puree, whipped cream, coffee and milk. You even have the choice of Oreo, Vanilla or chocolate as topping.

Durians are popular in the Philippines especially in the southern part of the country like Davao. However, I must confess that even Filipinos are split into two when it comes to this very unique fruit. Some adore it, others get nauseated with it. If you’re brave enough, go ahead and sink your teeth in these distinctive treats. Who knows, you might just like it after a few tries.

Quick Queries:

• Are you brave enough to try new tastes and dishes?
• What's the worst dish you've ever eaten?
• What exoptic fruits and dishes have you tried before?