It has not been long since the scorching heat of the summer sun, but now, we must begin to prepare for the chilling rainy season. The temperature falls quickly when rain falls and start drenching everything within its path. And so, to keep you and your family warm through this season of cold rain, we have chosen three dishes that will surely help keep you warm.
Molo Soup (Dishkarte, p. 181)
Ingredients:
Set A:
– 1 pc. chicken breast
– 1 cup ground pork
Set B:
– 2 cloves garlic
– ½ pc. white onion
– 5 cups chicken stock
– ¾ cup boiled chicken breast, shredded
– ¼ cup shrimps, diced
– Silver Swan Patis
– Pepper, to taste
Procedure:
1. Create molo dumplings using the recipe of the basic giniling mix.
2. Sauté the onions and garlic, then add the chicken stock. Let it boil, then add the shredded chicken breast and molo dumplings. Season the diced shrimp and add it in. You can garnish it with green onions and toasted garlic before serving.
Chicken and Sausage Casserole (Kitchen Secrets, p. 124)
Ingredients:
Set A (Sear):
– 1 whole chicken, cut up
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– ½ cup all-purpose flour
– 3 Tbsps. vegetable oil
Set B (Sauté):
– 2 Tbsps. butter
– 1 pc. white onion, minced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– ½ cup shiitake mushrooms
– 2 pcs. chicken sausages
– 1 pc. carrot, medium diced
– 2 pcs. celery, chopped
– 1 tsp. dried rosemary
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Set C (Boil):
– Cooked chicken, from Set A
– 3 cups chicken stock
– ½ cup young corn
– 1 pc. red bell pepper, medium diced
– 1 pc. green bell pepper, medium diced
– ½ cup all-purpose cream
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Set D (Garnish):
– 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
Procedure:
1. In a bowl, season the chicken with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour. Then heat the oil in a sauté pan and sear the chicken on for 8 minutes on all sides. Set aside.
2. In the same pan, heat the butter and sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant. Add the shiitake mushrooms, and cook for 8 minutes. Add the chicken sausages, carrots, celery, and dried rosemary.
3. Add the seared chicken and pour in the chicken stock. Let it boil for 10 minutes. Add the bell pepper, young corn, and all-purpose cream. Boil for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve.
Pork Ribs with Vegetable Soup (Simpol the Cookbook, p. 62)
Ingredients:
Set A:
– 1 kg. pork ribs, cut into 2-inch segments
– 1 pc. white onion, sliced
– 1 pc. medium-sized ginger, peeled and smashed
– 6 cups water
– 1 Tbsp. salt
– 1 Tbsp. whole peppercorn
Set B:
– ½ cup gabi, diced
– 1 wedge yellow squash, diced
– 1 cup upo (bottle gourd) or sayote, diced
– 4 pcs. ripe saba bananas
– 1 small head Baguio pechay
– 2 stalks leeks
– Datu Puti Patis (fish sauce) or all-purpose seasoning granule, to taste
Procedure:
1. Rinse the pork 3 times and soak it in cold water for 15 minutes. Place the meat in a colander to drain off the soaking liquid. Transfer it to a pot and add the rest of the Set A ingredients. Simmer for an hour or until tender. Skim off the scum as it gathers around the pot.
2. As soon as the meat becomes tender, add the hard vegetables and let it cook before adding the leafy vegetables. Season to taste and serve hot.
The rain does not wait for anyone, but cooking delicious food takes time. Be patient and you will be rewarded with bowls of freshly cooked dishes for you and your family to enjoy. It may take more time than wanted, but it will all be worth it in the end, because once the waiting time is over, you will be satisfied and comfortably warm.