Tinolang Manok and some called them Nilagang Manok is another filipino food dish that I usually cook here in Canada. Tinolang manok recipe is also one of the filipino recipe that is easy to cook. But as a first time immigrant in Canada, buying filipino ingredients like papaya, sayote, chili leaves or malunggay is hard to find specially if you are staying in the rural areas where Asian store is hard to find.

But as you got familiar with the place you live in and knowing the nearby cities, acquiring this hard to find ingredients is not that difficult anymore, as I have taught before. Here, in Orangeville, Ontario, the nearest Asian store is located in Brampton, an hour drive with an average speed of 80km/hr, we have travel that far just to buy filipino food ingredients. Sometimes looking for substitute for the ingredient is another best option in cooking Filipino dish like instead of chili leaves I’ve substitute them with spinach for they are abundant here.

Cooking your favorite dish from a different country is challenging but enjoyable, especially when you are with your love ones. Enjoy and Happy Cooking!

Ingredients :

  • 1 lb. chicken, cut into serving pieces (or any choice cuts of your liking like thighs, drumsticks or wings)
  • 1 thumb-sized fresh ginger root, cut into strips
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp. patis (fish sauce)
  • salt, to taste
  • 4 to 5 cups water (or rice water – 2nd washing)
  • 2 to 3 sayote (chayote squash), quartered (or green, unripe papaya or potatoes)
  • 1 cup sili (chili) leaves or malunggay or substitute 1/2 lb. spinach
  • vegetable oil

(Cooking Measurements )

Cooking Procedures :

  1. In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté ginger and garlic until fragrant. Add onions, stir-fry until softened and translucent.
  2. Add chicken cuts. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until chicken colors slightly. Season with patis and salt.
  3. Pour in water (or rice water, if using). Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer until chicken is half-done. Add in chayote (or papaya or potatoes, if using). Continue simmering until chicken and vegetable are tender. Correct seasonings and then addsili leaves or malunggay or substitute. Stir to combine until well blended. Remove from heat.
  4. Let stand for a few minutes to cook the green vegetables. Transfer to a serving dish and serve hot.

Originally published by filipinorecipesite.com