Pro Tips
Fresh turmeric root gives far superior flavor compared to ground turmeric powder — if you can find it, use fresh. The rice should be cooked first, then sautéed; do not cook raw rice directly in the turmeric mixture. Supas pairs perfectly with Luñis (Ivatan preserved pork) or grilled flying fish (Dibang).
Cooking Tips
Blanch leafy vegetables in boiling salted water for 30–60 seconds, then plunge into ice water. This locks in their bright color and crisp texture. Add vegetables in stages — hard vegetables (carrots, potatoes) go in first, tender ones (leafy greens, beansprouts) at the very end.
Ingredient Substitutions
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.
Supas
Supas is the iconic turmeric rice of the Ivatan people from Batanes, where ordinary rice is transformed into a fragrant golden dish by sautéing with garlic, fresh turmeric pulp, and pork. Unlike mainland Filipino sinangag (garlic rice), Supas uses fresh ground turmeric as its defining ingredient — grown alongside rice on the same volcanic soil for generations. The result is a deeply aromatic, golden-hued rice that is both medicine and celebration.
Instructions
- Cook the white rice normally with water in a rice cooker or pot. Let it cool slightly.
- While rice cooks, heat cooking oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
- Add diced pork belly and fry until the fat renders and the pork turns golden, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and chopped onion to the pan. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Add the fresh turmeric slices and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the cooked rice to the pan and stir-fry gently, breaking up any clumps. The turmeric will turn the rice a beautiful golden yellow.
- Season with salt and mix in the chopped cilantro.
- Continue to sauté for 3-4 minutes so the rice absorbs the turmeric and garlic flavors.
- Serve hot as an accompaniment to Luñis, grilled fish, or any Ivatan-style main dish.
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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Cooking Tips
Add vegetables in stages — hard vegetables (carrots, potatoes) go in first, tender ones (leafy greens, beansprouts) at the very end.
Substitutions
Storage & Reheating
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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