Pro Tips

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

- Baste chicken with butter or oil halfway through roasting to prevent the breast from drying out.

- Cook chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the breast.

- Start cooking chicken thighs and legs before adding breast pieces since dark meat takes longer.

- For crispy chicken, avoid flipping too often — let each side cook undisturbed to develop a crust.

Cooking Tips

For maximum flavor, season the chicken at least 30 minutes before cooking — ideally overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the marinade to penetrate beyond the surface. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone.

Ingredient Substitutions

Chicken alternatives: Pork shoulder or boneless thigh meat can substitute for chicken in stews. For lighter fare, extra-firm tofu or seitan works in stir-fries and braises. Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.

Cheese Puff

Cheese Puff

Manila, NCR

These golden cheese puffs are made from a simple choux dough loaded with grated cheddar cheese. Light and airy on the inside with a crispy exterior, they make a perfect snack or appetizer for any occasion.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Total: 45 min Medium Serves 11

Instructions

  1. Heat a pot and pour in the water.
  2. Add the butter and salt. Let the mixture boil, then stir well.
  3. Gradually add the flour while stirring continuously until a dough forms.
  4. Add 3 eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition.
  5. Fold in the grated cheddar cheese and mix until well combined.
  6. Turn off the heat and transfer the dough to a container. Let it cool to room temperature.
  7. Make the egg wash by combining the remaining egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of butter in a bowl. Mix well.
  8. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  9. Scoop the dough and arrange on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
  10. Brush the top of each piece with the egg wash.
  11. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes. To check for doneness, cut one piece in half. The center should be dry. Bake longer if there is still moisture inside.
  12. Take off from the oven and transfer to a serving plate or bread basket.
  13. Serve.

Kitchen Tools We Recommend

Cook Cheese Puff the easy way with the right tools. Shop our favorite kitchen essentials on Amazon — from reliable pots and pans to measuring tools that make Filipino cooking simpler.

🔥 Trending on Amazon right now — these products are selling fast. Check out what's climbing the charts.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Baste chicken with butter or oil halfway through roasting to prevent the breast from drying out.
- Cook chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the breast.
- Start cooking chicken thighs and legs before adding breast pieces since dark meat takes longer.
- For crispy chicken, avoid flipping too often — let each side cook undisturbed to develop a crust.

Cooking Tips

For maximum flavor, season the chicken at least 30 minutes before cooking — ideally overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the marinade to penetrate beyond the surface.
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone.

Substitutions

Chicken alternatives: Pork shoulder or boneless thigh meat can substitute for chicken in stews. For lighter fare, extra-firm tofu or seitan works in stir-fries and braises.
Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
E

Nanay Elena

Comfort Food

Every recipe Nanay Elena shares is a piece of family history from her kitchen in Iloilo.

Comments (0)

Leave a comment