Pro Tips

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

- Balance sweet, sour, salty, and umami — Filipino sauces are all about this harmony.

- Thicken sauces with a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + cold water) added gradually.

- Taste and adjust seasoning at each stage, not just at the end.

Cooking Tips

Score the fat cap in a crosshatch pattern before cooking — this helps render the fat evenly and creates a crisper texture. Let pork rest for 5–10 minutes after cooking before slicing. This redistributes juices so every bite stays moist.

Ingredient Substitutions

Pork alternatives: Chicken thighs work well in most pork recipes (they stay moist like pork does). For a leaner option, use turkey breast or firm tofu. 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.

Cocido

Cocido

Metro Manila, NCR

Cocido is a must for Sunday lunch or holiday celebrations! This Filipino classic dish is loaded with slow-cooked meat, sausages, and vegetables and served with berenjana sauce on the side is a must for a truly special meal. This recipe sat in my draft box for weeks because I couldn't decide whether I should call it puchero or cocido. The Philippine food culture can be a little confusing, with more than 7,100 islands and some 120 languages. From what I've read online, it seems both terms are used.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 40 min Total: 45 min Hard Serves 4

Instructions

  1. Get a pot - medium heat and warm up about 1 tablespoon of oil. Add beef shank and cook on both sides until lightly seared. Remove from pot.
  2. Toss in water to the pot and Bring it to a boil. Return beef shanks and continue to boil, skimming off foam that floats on top.
  3. When the broth has cleared, add onions, garlic, peppercorns, and salt. Turn down the heat and cover it, and let it simmer gently for about 1 ½ to 2 hours or until meat is tender.
  4. In a wide pan, heat about 1 tablespoon of oil. Add bananas and cook, flipping on sides as needed, until it gets lightly browned. Remove from pan.
  5. Add chorizo de bilbao. Cook, turning as needed, for about 1 to 2 minutes or until chorizo de bilbao releases color. Remove from pot.
  6. Mix in another tablespoon of oil if needed. Add chicken and cook, turning on sides, until it gets lightly browned. Remove from pot and drain on paper towels.
  7. Add chicken, ham, and chorizo de bilbao to the pot and cook, skimming off foam that floats on top, for about 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
  8. Incorporate garbanzo beans and saba bananas and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until heated through.
  9. Add green beans and cabbage and Cook it until tender yet crisp.
  10. Incorporate pechay and cook for another 1 minute. Season it with additional salt as needed.
  11. To serve, arrange meat and vegetables on a serving platter. Transfer broth into a serving tureen. Serve while hot with berenjana sauce.
  12. Over open stove flames, roast eggplant until skins are charred. Under cold running water, peel and discard skins.
  13. In a bowl, mash eggplant. Add garlic, vinegar, oil and salt to taste.

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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Balance sweet, sour, salty, and umami — Filipino sauces are all about this harmony.
- Thicken sauces with a cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + cold water) added gradually.
- Taste and adjust seasoning at each stage, not just at the end.

Cooking Tips

Score the fat cap in a crosshatch pattern before cooking — this helps render the fat evenly and creates a crisper texture.
Let pork rest for 5–10 minutes after cooking before slicing. This redistributes juices so every bite stays moist.

Substitutions

Pork alternatives: Chicken thighs work well in most pork recipes (they stay moist like pork does). For a leaner option, use turkey breast or firm tofu.
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.
G

Lola Nena Guerrero

Ilocano & Visayan Regional Specialties

Lola Nena Guerrero is a contributor to the UlamDaily editorial team. Born in Laoag and raised in Cebu, she brings decades of home cooking experience preserving Ilocano and Visayan regional recipes that have been passed down through her family.

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