Prepare your taste buds as we go on a culinary adventure with durian, the king of fruits.
Widely known for its strong and pungent smell, durian is a popular fruit in many Asian and Southeast Asian countries, notably in Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines, to name a few.
Like other fruits, durian can also serve as a key ingredient in various dishes, from ice creams to soups and even fried foods.
So without further ado, check out these 10 yummy must-try durian dishes, especially if you are a big fan of the fruit.
Durian smoothie
Made from a combination of full cream milk, vanilla ice cream and durian puree, drinking a durian smoothie is certainly one of the best ways to beat the heat in Southeast Asia.
Durian cream puffs
Made with eggs, butter for the soft case, durian purée, gelatine and whipping cream for the filling, this treat is a perfect way to end a heavy meal as they are light on the stomach and will not leave you feeling bloated.
Durian ice cream
Eating ice cream is another perfect way to stay cool, especially amid the intense summer heat in Southeast Asia. This durian ice cream recipe, which only consists of durian pulp, whipped cream, condensed milk and vanilla, does not require an ice cream maker and can be done just by leaving the mixture inside the freezer overnight.
Durian egg tarts
Love durian AND egg tarts? This dessert combines the best of both worlds. Like the cream puffs, this recipe also contains durian purée for its center and salted butter and icing sugar, with an optional pandan paste, for the pastry.
Durian pudding
This durian pudding is so easy to make that it only requires 15 minutes or so of your time. Plus, the ingredients are also not that hard to find. All you’ll need is sugar, milk and durian flesh, preferably from a Mao Shan Wang, also known as a Musang King.
Chicken and curry durian
Looking for something that pairs well with rice? This durian chicken curry is the recipe for you. Combining the creamy taste of the king of fruit and the savory and spicy flavor of curry, this fusion dish will surely tickle your palate.
Double-boiled durian chicken soup
If you are feeling a bit under the weather and still have a strong craving for durian, then this double-boiled durian chicken soup is definitely the meal you are looking for. Not only should this satisfy your durian cravings, but the broth and chicken can also help you fight off that down feeling.
Durian fritters
This deep-fried durian batter made from flour, coconut milk, mashed durian and sugar is the perfect snack for a slow and chill afternoon.
Durian cheesecake
The beauty of cheesecake is that almost any fruit can be added to it and it will still taste amazing, with durian being no exception. Plus, you can also make this as a no-bake-needed dessert by mixing the ingredients together and freezing them for a few hours.
Durian milk candy (also known as durian yema)
Probably the easiest snack to make out of every entry on this list, this durian milk candy, also known as durian yema in the Philippines, is made by mixing just three main ingredients: durian jam, coconut milk and sugar.
