Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Goto





Goto is a popular Filipino rice porridge made of tripe. This, together with arroz caldo and lugaw  is a comfort food since it not only warms your belly, but also enlivens your spirit.  Often served  hot,  this  Filipino version of congee is such a delight to eat. It is very filling and can be eaten during breakfast, lunch, merienda, dinner, or as a  snack before going home after partying in the wee hours of the morning. :)

Although Filipinos are very familiar with goto’s taste, we don’t really give much attention to its health benefits, particularly tripe’s health benefits. Do you know that 3.5 oz serving of  beef tripe according to Livestrong.com  provides  11.7 g of protein, or 18 percent of the 65 g Food and Drug Administration daily value and 4 g of fat, or 6 percent of the 65 g daily value; and 1.4 g saturated fat, or 7 percent of the 20 g daily value. This same amount of serving provides 81 mg calcium (for healthy bones and teeth), or 8 percent of the 1,000 mg FDA daily value, 1.7 mg of zinc (for prostate health) or 11 percent of the 15 mg FDA daily value, 11.8 mcg of selenium (to neutralize toxins from the body) or 17 percent of the 70 mcg daily value. Not bad for a  simple, yet delicious and satisfying meal. 

Always make sure that the tripe is very tender when about to be served. A pressure cooker is a must when making this recipe, unless you opt for slow cooking which would take several hours of waiting yet produces the most tender tripe. If you are  like me  who wants to save time and electricity (plus the hungry tummies already at standby mode :) ), then the pressure cooker is definitely your bestfriend.  Don’t forget to save all the broth from the boiled tripe since most of the goto’s flavor will be from this flavorful liquid.

Pair it with lumpia, siopao, puto, or  beef and vegetable samosa and you will definitely be pleased. I am content eating goto on its own but I always have a second serving.:)  Aside from the spring onion and garlic as topping, you can also add crumbled chicharon (pork cracklings) and hardboiled eggs. Yum!

Leftover goto freezes well. Just thaw, then reheat. Add water as needed. Another addition to your freezer meals. : )


Goto
Yield: 5-7 servings

Ingredients:

600 grams tripe, cooked in pressure cooker for 45 minutes or until tender, then cut into 2-3 inch long strips, inch wide)
stock/water from tenderized tripe
1 ½  cup uncooked glutinous rice
1 ½  cup uncooked white rice
2 inch ginger, cut into strips ( 2 Tablespoons)
1 onion, sliced thinly
3 cloves garlic, minced plus more for topping
1 cube chicken bouillon
3 Tablespoon patis (fishsauce)
1 teaspoon (or more) black pepper
1 bunch green onion for garnish
cooking oil

Directions:

1. Heat 2 Tablespoons oil. Saute ginger, garlic, and onion.
2. Add tripe, glutinous rice, and white rice.  Stir for a few minutes.
3. Add about 6 cups of stock/water.  Simmer while stirring occasionally.
    Add more water as needed.
4. When mixture is simmering, mix in bouillon cube, black pepper plus 3 Tablespoons patis.
5. Cook until rice is tender. Add in more water a cup at a time. Mix well.
   (I had to add 2 more cups.)
6. Top with green onion and fried garlic.
   
    

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Split Pea Fritters with Easy Curry Coconut Cream Sauce




 
To those of us who associate legumes  with just  the old reliable  munggo  or mung beans, yellow split pea can be an interesting addition to our legume repertoire. They can be made into healthy soups, savory dishes and  snacks, as well as sweet treats.These little round yellow bits of protein source are native to Southwest Asia. Its is commonly used in Indian and Iranian cuisine.  Luckily fo r us in the Philippines, yellow split pea is available in supermarkets, especially in Metro Manila.

Whether you are gluten sensitive or not, this is another delicious gluten free snack that kids and adults will surely enjoy.  Its crunch is highly appealing.  This unusual treat is protein packed and is very high in fiber. These sunny colored legumes are also high in vitamins such as folate (a B vitamin),  important for production of red blood cells, choline for proper cell membrane functioning,  niacin for turning carbohydrates into energy, and pantothenic acid for the breakdown of protein, carbohydrates, and fats.

A variety of spices can be added such as turmeric, paprika, chili, cumin, etc. depending on  an individual’s preference.  Chopped basil leaves or coriander leaves go well with these crunchy munchies. I used a cup of  chopped  fresh coriander leaves  when I made this the second time and  noticed how fast it disappeared on the plate. ;)  Uncooked patties may be frozen for several months.  Store by stacking them up  (use wax paper between each patty) and   putting them a zip lock bag or freezer friendly food keeper.  No need to thaw before frying.

Split Pea Fritters with Easy Curry Coconut Cream Sauce
Yield: 25 (3 inch round) pieces

Ingredients:

2 cups Split pea (soaked in warm water overnight) (1 pack is equal to 2 cups)
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon turmeric
½ - 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
2 ½ - 3 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 pack stevia or 2 teaspoons sugar
*1/2 – 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves (but more is better!)
2 Tablespoons water
oil for frying

Directions:

1. Drain water from soaked split pea. Put into food processor.
    Process until smooth.

2. Mix in all ingredients except water.
3. Lastly add 2 Tablespoons water.
4. Form into   3 inch diameter patties, around 1/3 inch thick. Don’t make it too thick, or
    it won’t be too crunchy.
5. Pan fry till both sides are golden brown.
6. Dip in Easy Curry Coconut Cream Sauce


Easy Curry Coconut Cream Sauce

This sauce is a versatile cream sauce because it goes very well with roti or Indian flat bread , chicken fingers, or with  toasted pita chips.  If you find the recipe too thick, you can use coconut milk instead of cream.  I just love the richness of the cream.


Ingredients:

1 200 ml curry cream tetra pack ( I used Kara brand)
¼ cube chicken bouillon
½ teaspoon curry powder

Directions:

1. In a small pan, heat coconut cream.
2. When  cream it simmering, add chicken bouillon.
    Mix till chicken cube is melted.
3. Add curry powder and mix well.
4. Turn off heat, and pour on serving bowl.