Hen Bicol Specific

I used to be on the grocery someday once I chanced upon a few of Yummy journal’s little cookbooks on the journal rack. They’re roughly the scale of a paperback however thinner. A mini cookbook actually. However packed to the brim with scrumptious and doable recipes. They’ve a number of in various themes and the one I discovered was entitled Pinoy Regional Favorites. It had been printed some time again already, so these have been most likely the final remaining copies (within the retailer). I couldn’t resist. I grabbed two and caught them in my cart.

I nonetheless bear in mind the very first time I learn the very first concern of Yummy journal. I used to be a newlywed (kind of). I already cherished cooking and I already had this weblog, but it surely was the primary time I had a kitchen to name my very own. I felt like Yummy simply spoke to me. I’m a easy, no-fuss woman with an enormous ardour for meals…and the journal, with its vibrant, modern design, youthful really feel, simple however good dishes, enjoyable however sensible strategy, and attention-grabbing options, was speaking proper at me. The beginning of a “dialog” that might final for greater than a decade.

The primary time they requested me to do a characteristic I used to be past flattered. So thrilled to be requested by this shiny new meals journal that I already cherished! In fact I stated sure…and the remainder was historical past. From options to my very personal column, Yummy noticed me by my early-married life to every of my two youngsters (with many great moments in between). I went by three Yummy editors, and several other staffers, and never one I didn’t love. Each single individual on that group was a pleasure to work with.

Once they went out of print a teeny piece of my coronary heart broke. And mine wasn’t the one one. I acquired many messages from readers throughout lamenting the lack of an ideal print journal…some mentioning it was the one print journal they’d purchase.

However…such is life. Issues change and so can we. We transfer on, we transfer ahead, however we’re without end touched and adjusted by the experiences of our lives. As I’m touched and adjusted from having labored with such a stellar publication, and with such wonderful individuals. I suppose that is my little tribute to Yummy, and to them.

This Hen Bicol Specific got here out in my Yummy column in 2014. It was additionally part of their Pinoy Regional Favorites cookbook. This dish was influenced by my love for Bicolano delicacies. It’s acquired coconut milk and chilis like the unique, however I exploit hen as a substitute of the standard pork. It is rather simple to make and you’ll have it in your desk in slightly over half an hour.

Hen Bicol Specific
(from my September 2014 column in Yummy Journal)

• Vegetable oil, for sautéing
• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 30 grams ginger, peeled and sliced
• 2-3 tablespoons bagoong (perhaps extra, relying on the saltiness of your bagoong)
• 4-5 sili pang sigang (lengthy inexperienced chilis)
• 300-350 grams hen thigh fillets, reduce into hefty chunks
• 250 ml coconut milk (gata)
• Non-compulsory: sili labuyo, if you happen to actually wish to crank up the warmth!

– Warmth a wok or a skillet over medium excessive warmth. Add a few swirls of oil, and when that is sizzling, add the onions, garlic, and ginger. Sauté till the onion is smooth and translucent and the scent of the aromatics waft up.
– Add the bagoong and sili to the pan and sauté for about 2-3 minutes, till the flavors have blended.
– Add the hen to the pan and fry till seared, about 1-2 minutes. Add the coconut milk and convey to a delicate simmer. Simmer on very low warmth for about 20-Half-hour, till hen is tender and sauce has thickened. Style, and if you happen to assume it wants extra seasoning, combine in slightly extra bagoong.

This recipe will serve two, as I made it when my youngsters have been youthful and couldn’t but eat an excessive amount of spicy meals, however the recipe is straightforward to scale up (and I’ve efficiently finished so since). You possibly can add as many chilies as you need, in line with how spicy you’d prefer it. If you wish to actually up the warmth quotient then add some sili labuyo together with the sili pangsigang.

You possibly can substitute the hen right here for fish or shrimps in order for you a seafood model, or greens in order for you a vegetarian model. Simply alter the cooking instances accordingly.

In the event you hadn’t observed, I discussed earlier that I grabbed two copies of this Yummy cookbook. One for me, and one for certainly one of you!

Sure, a giveaway!! Mechanics as follows:

• I’m giving one copy of Pinoy Regional Favorites to a fellow Yummy reader.
• All you want to do is go away a remark right here along with your finest Yummy reminiscence…that’s it!
• Per week from this posting I’ll choose a reputation of 1 commenter (randomly from a hat as I love to do) and he/she would be the winner!
• Solely entries primarily based within the Philippines, with a sound e mail handle, are eligible to win.

Fortunately, Yummy lives on on-line by Yummy.ph. So give them a go to for extra of the simple, scrumptious recipes you liked to obtain every month!

Within the meantime…let’s reminisce collectively. Would love to listen to your Yummy tales!

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