5 Quick Filipino Recipes by Marip Batello

Embarking on a culinary journey through the vibrant flavors of the Philippines is an adventure in itself. With a diverse selection of dishes, Filipino cuisine offers comfort food that resonates deeply with its rich cultural heritage. Here are five quick and simple Filipino recipes that you can master in no time, each dish bringing a unique taste of this archipelago nation to your table.

Adobong Manok

Ingredients:

• 500g chicken (mix of thighs and drumsticks)
• ¹⁄₂ cup soy sauce
• ¹⁄₄ cup vinegar
• 1 head garlic, peeled
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 bay leaves
• Peppercorns
• 1 cup water
• Oil

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides.
3. Add garlic and onion, saute until translucent.
4. Pour in soy sauce, vinegar, water, bay leaves, and peppercorns.
5. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 20-30 minutes, occasionally stirring.
6. If you prefer a drier sauce, uncover the pan to let it reduce.

Adobong Manok is emblematic of Filipino cuisine, where soy sauce and vinegar marry to create a flavorful dish that is both simple and deeply savory.

🍲 Note: Never stir the vinegar while it's still simmering to avoid the dish becoming bitter.

Sinigang na Baboy

Ingredients:

• 1 kg pork belly or ribs, cubed
• 1 packet sinigang mix
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1 piece radish, sliced
• 2 taro roots, peeled and halved
• 1 eggplant, sliced
• Kangkong leaves (water spinach)
• Okra
• Green chili
• Fish sauce
• Water

Preparation:

1. In a pot, bring pork and water to a boil. Skim off any scum.
2. Add onion, tomatoes, and cook until tender.
3. Add sinigang mix, radish, taro, and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add eggplant, okra, and chili. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
5. Add kangkong leaves last, cook just until wilted. Season with fish sauce.

Sinigang na Baboy is a sour soup that tantalizes the palate with its tangy, hearty flavors, an ideal comfort food during rainy days.

Chicken Pancit

Ingredients:

• 400g pancit canton noodles or bihon
• 1 cup shredded chicken
• ¹⁄₂ cup sliced carrots
• ¹⁄₂ cup thinly sliced green beans
• 1 cup chopped cabbage
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3-4 cups chicken broth
• Soy sauce
• Black pepper
• Oil

Preparation:

1. Soak noodles in hot water until soft, drain, and set aside.
2. In a pan, heat oil, add garlic and onion, saute until aromatic.
3. Add chicken, cook until slightly browned.
4. Add vegetables, stir-fry for a few minutes.
5. Pour in the broth, soy sauce, and season with pepper. Bring to a boil.
6. Add noodles, stir until noodles absorb the flavors and are cooked through.

Chicken Pancit is a celebration of noodles, with vibrant vegetables and chicken, offering a quick and satisfying meal option.

Giniling

Ingredients:

• 500g ground pork
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• ¹⁄₂ cup green peas
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional)
• ¹⁄₂ cup tomato sauce
• Oil
• Salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. In a skillet, heat oil and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add ground pork, cook until browned.
3. Add potatoes, carrots, and green peas, cook for 5-7 minutes.
4. Pour in soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and tomato sauce. Simmer until the vegetables are tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

This versatile dish, known as Giniling, combines ground meat with an assortment of vegetables in a comforting and filling stew-like form.

Pininyahang Manok

Ingredients:

• 500g chicken (thighs or breast), cut into pieces
• 1 can pineapple chunks (with juice)
• 1 carrot, cut into chunks
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¹⁄₂ cup evaporated milk
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• Oil
• Salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. Sauté garlic and onion in oil until soft.
2. Add chicken, cook until lightly browned.
3. Pour in pineapple juice, add the pineapple chunks, and let it simmer for a few minutes.
4. Add fish sauce, carrots, and bell pepper, cook for another 10-15 minutes.
5. Pour in the evaporated milk, stir, and simmer for a couple more minutes.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Pininyahang Manok offers a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and creamy elements with the tropical touch of pineapples.

In this culinary exploration, you've traveled through some of the most beloved dishes of the Philippines. Each recipe showcases the simplicity, depth, and diversity of Filipino cuisine, inviting you to bring these flavors into your kitchen. Whether you're making Adobong Manok, Sinigang na Baboy, Chicken Pancit, Giniling, or Pininyahang Manok, you're not just cooking; you're engaging in a culinary tradition rich with history and taste. Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and enjoy the journey of Filipino cuisine.

What are some common ingredients in Filipino cooking?

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In Filipino cooking, common ingredients include soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, onions, fish sauce, and calamansi (a small citrus fruit). Additionally, ingredients like bay leaves, tomatoes, and various root vegetables are staples, reflecting the country’s rich biodiversity and colonial influences.

Can these recipes be adapted for a vegetarian diet?

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Absolutely, many Filipino dishes can be easily adapted for vegetarians. For instance, you can replace meat with tofu, mushrooms, or other plant-based proteins in recipes like Adobong Manok or Pininyahang Manok. Additionally, vegetables can take center stage in dishes like Sinigang by simply omitting the meat.

Where can I find authentic Filipino ingredients?

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Authentic Filipino ingredients can often be found in Asian markets or specialty food stores that stock international products. If local options are limited, online Filipino grocery stores are also becoming more popular, offering a wide range of ingredients from the Philippines.