How about Batchoy Sisig?

Who wants to try this delicious sisig?

This sisig dish that I made for lunch is one of the best sisig versions that I ever had. I am saying this not because I am the one who made it — it is really good.

Would you believe that this dish is composed of leftover meat and innards from the batchoy that I prepared the other day? Yes, it is true. I intentionally added more meat and innards to the dish (don’t worry, the batchoy recipe indicates the appropriate measurement) because I plan to make sisig out of the leftover as an experiment.

Ube Halaya

Ube Halaya is a dessert made from boiled and grated purple yam which is locally known in the Philippines as “Ube”. Aside from Ube Halaya, different desserts and pastries such as ice cream, tarts, and cakes makes use of this root crop.

In this presentation, I used a ready-made boiled grated ube that I got from the Asian store. Having a prepared product such as this saves me time but I still prefer making this dessert from scratch using uncooked purple yam (If only there is any available). For those who are using uncooked purple yam – simply boil and mash them before proceeding with the steps below.

Ginataang Manok

Ginataang Manok means chicken stewed in coconut milk. This is a simple Filipino dish wherein chicken is sautéed in garlic, onion, and ginger then stewed in coconut milk. A more traditional approach requires native hen (usually grown in the backyard). It is much tastier compared to broiler chickens and adds more flavor to the dish.

As many might have noticed, coconut milk plays a huge part in Filipino cuisine. Different Filipino or Pinoy recipes require the use of coconut milk and coconut juice. I think that this is a good thing because we are making the most out of what is abundant to us but let’s keep in mind that there are some people that still need to develop their taste buds for these types of dishes. Don’t be afraid to try if you are one of those people. It just takes a few baby steps to get there; it’s time to experience the great taste that you are missing.

Try this Ginataang Manok recipe.

Maja Blanca

Maja Blanca is a Filipino dessert made from coconut milk, cornstarch, and sugar. Often called Coconut Pudding, this luscious dessert is easy to make and the ingredients are very common.

Unknown to many, the original Maja Blanca Recipe does not include corn and milk. In this recipe, I added whole sweet kernel corn and condensed milk for added taste and a more creamy texture.

Since Christmas season is just around the corner, this would make a very good holiday dessert especially during potluck Christmas Parties and Noche Buena as well.

Try this Maja Blanca Recipe.

Ginisang Ampalaya

Ginisang Ampalaya is transalated as Sautéed Bitter Melon. This Filipino vegetable recipe is one of the healthiest recipe around.

Bitter melon is best known for antidiabetic effects. It contains a chemical known as insulin-like peptide that is similar in shape and function to animal-produced insulin. Other chemicals, including vicine, in bitter melon may also have blood-sugar lowering effects.

Try this healthy vegetable dish: Ginisang Ampalaya.

Pork Sinigang

Pork Sinigang or Sinigang na Baboy is a sour soup native to the Philippines. This particular soup dish uses pork as the main ingredient though beef, shrimp, fish, and even chicken (this is known as sinampalukang manok) can be used. Bony parts of the pig known as “buto-buto” are usually preferred for this dish. These parts can be either of the following: pork neck bone, chopped spare ribs, chopped baby back ribs, and pork belly. Sometimes pork kasim and pigue (pork ham) are also used.

There are several ingredients that can be used as souring agent. The most common and widely used is the tamarind fruit (known as sampaloc). Other fruits such as guava, tomato, bilimbi (known as kamias), green mango, pineapple, and wild mangosteen (santol) can also be used to make the sinigang taste sour.

I grew-up eating pork sinigang at least once a week with a saucer of patis (fish sauce) and crushed siling labuyo (chili) on the side as my “sawsawan” (sauce). During rainy days, I want my sinigang complimented with a few pieces of crunchy fried tuyo or daing (salted dried fish).

How about you? Do you want your sinigang the same way or are there other side dishes or appetizers that you prefer?

Let me know what you think. We can share ideas and let our opinions be heard by posting a comment.

Try this Filipino soup dish recipe: Pork Sinigang.

Arroz Caldo

Arroz Caldo (literally translated as warm rice) is a type of congee (or lugaw) that closely resembles the risotto. Though this dish is of Chinese origin, the (new) name was actually given by the Spaniards because of pronounciation issues.

The use of chicken (cut into individual servings) makes Arroz Caldo different from other congees. Safflower (wild saffron), toasted garlic, and scallions are added to enhance the flavor, color, and aroma of the dish.

This lugaw is usually served during breakfast. I remember seeing several well-lit carts complete with chairs and tables along Edsa (a major road in Manila) serving this congee with Goto and lugaw. Several tapsilogan and karinderya also carry this in their daily menu. Arroz Caldo is also one of the favorite food of those who want to sober-up.

Braised Vegetables

Braised Vegetables or wet-roasted vegetables is a vegan (vegetarian) dish composed basically of mushrooms, bamboo shoots,young corn, snow peas, and carrots. This is a perfect dish for health conscious individuals and people who are on a diet. A very low fat and low calorie recipe, having these types of dish regularly could help you stay healthy and lose weight fast if combined with enough excercise.

Try this delicious vegan recipe: Braised Vegetables.

Chicharon Bituka

Chicharon Bituka are deep fried pig or cow intestine prepared similar to that of Chicharones or Pork Cracklings (Pork Rinds). This dish is usually served as an appetizer or “pulutan” and is best when accompanied with beer. Another popular chicharon intestine is the Chicharon Bulaklak.

Instead of just having canned tuna mixed with crushed sky flakes (a very easy to prepare pulutan know as dog food) , why don’t you try to make some Chicharon Bituka ? This can be quite time consuming to prepare but this will surely make your barkada and the rest of the drinking buddies happy.

Try this Chicharon Bituka Recipe.

Macaroni Salad

Macaroni Salad or Chicken Macaroni Salad is a simple salad made from macaroni (usually elbow macaroni). This salad is prepared with a generous amount of mayonnaise and boiled chicken meat (sometimes ham is used). A regular side dish during picnics and family outings, macaroni salad is best if combined with grilled foods and barbeque.

Try this Macaroni Salad recipe.

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