Pro Tips
**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Simmer coconut milk gently — boiling it on high heat can cause it to separate and curdle.
- Stir coconut milk dishes occasionally to prevent a skin from forming on the surface.
- Cook shrimp and squid quickly over high heat — they turn rubbery in under 3 minutes.
- Do not stir coconut milk dishes too vigorously once seafood is added — gentle folding prevents breaking.
Cooking Tips
Seafood cooks quickly — remove it from heat the moment it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Overcooking makes it tough and rubbery. Pat shellfish dry before adding to the pan so they sear rather than steam. A hot, quick cook preserves their natural sweetness.
Ingredient Substitutions
No coconut milk? For a richer alternative, blend canned coconut cream with water (1:1). For a lighter option, use evaporated milk with a splash of coconut extract. In a pinch, heavy cream or full-fat milk can replace coconut milk — the texture will be similar though the flavor profile changes. 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. Seafood dishes are best consumed within 1–2 days. Reheat gently — microwave on low power or warm in a covered skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking. Do not refreeze thawed seafood dishes. Once reheated, consume immediately and do not re-refrigerate. 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.
Ginataang Pusit (squid in coconut milk)
squid cooked in rich coconut milk — creamy, mild, and deeply satisfying. A staple Filipino cooking method from the Bicol region.
Instructions
- Heat the cooking oil in a cooking pan.
- Saute the garlic and onion until the onion becomes soft.
- Put-in the squid. Cook for 1 minute. Remove the squid, place in a clean plate, and set aside.
- Pour-in the coconut milk. Let boil.
- Add the fish sauce and green chili pepper. Simmer uncovered for 12 to 18 minutes or until the coconut milk becomes thick.
- Put the squid back in the pan. Add the malunggay leaves. Stir and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the ground black pepper. Stir.
- Transfer to a serving plate.
- Serve with rice.
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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Simmer coconut milk gently — boiling it on high heat can cause it to separate and curdle.
- Stir coconut milk dishes occasionally to prevent a skin from forming on the surface.
- Cook shrimp and squid quickly over high heat — they turn rubbery in under 3 minutes.
- Do not stir coconut milk dishes too vigorously once seafood is added — gentle folding prevents breaking.
Cooking Tips
Pat shellfish dry before adding to the pan so they sear rather than steam. A hot, quick cook preserves their natural sweetness.
Substitutions
In a pinch, heavy cream or full-fat milk can replace coconut milk — the texture will be similar though the flavor profile changes.
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
Seafood dishes are best consumed within 1–2 days. Reheat gently — microwave on low power or warm in a covered skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking.
Do not refreeze thawed seafood dishes. Once reheated, consume immediately and do not re-refrigerate.
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.
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