Saturday Menu

The whole day of Saturday was spent cooking for my guests.  Ate and her family, as usual, had lunch in my house.  It was just a simple fare but I am glad I tried a new Lechon Manok recipe from Filipino Kitchen Library - Great Celebrations By Aileen Jaraza, Christina Aquino & Hector Jaraza.

Lechon Manok



1.2 K. Whole chicken
1 T. rock salt
1/2 C. Calamansi juice
2 T. Soy sauce
1 T. Honey
1/2 t. ground black pepper
1/4 t. MSG
1 bunch tanglad leaves

Rub the chicken with salt including the cavity.  Combine the rest of the ingredients and pour the marinade over the chicken and marinate overnight.

Insert the tanglad leaves in the cavity.

Place the chicken breast side up on the rack of the turbo broiler.  Set the temperature at 350 C for 30 minutes.  Brush chicken with drippings and liquid drained from the cavity.  Increase temperature to 375 and continue cooking for 15 minutes more.  Let the chicken rest for 30 minutes before cutting with a pair of kitchen scissors. 

* This is a bad advice but really very good .... pour the drippings over the cut up chicken.

I like this recipe better than my previous Lechon Manok recipe.  The chicken was more tender, not bloody and falling off the bones!

It was perfect with the Bicol Express. 



I cooked it for my lunch and dinner guests.

NO Nilagang Baka for Gilly but I cooked Sinigang na Maya Maya Belly with Miso for my Ate.



My dinner guests were Mariger, Jing and Jona... our classmate visiting from New York.  I promised to cook for Jona.  Her request was Pancit Palabok.  I was just planning to buy from Red Ribbon because I do not know how to cook Palabok.

When I got to Red Ribbon Landmark, they were not selling the pancit... just pastries.  So I just decided to make it from scratch.  With a little help from Mama Sita's Palabok Mix.  It was too bland for me so I had to adjust it according to my taste.

  Then added the following garnishing or "Palabok":  Boiled egg, flaked tinapa, boiled shrimps, crushed chicharon, fried garlic and spring onions.



I also cooked Sinigang na Hipon.



See?  I can eat Sinigang two times in one day!

 .....  Lechon Kawali



... and Manggang Hilaw with Bagoong.



I really enjoy cooking and entertaining my family and friends.  If only I can stop cooking AND eating but I really can not help myself!  I wish I have more will power but I have to "Feed the Blog!"