Aside from their families, most overseas Pinoys miss Filipino dishes the most. So what do you if you find yourself craving for Filipino food? Get cooking! Here are a few easy-to-cook Pinoy dishes with relatively easy-to-find ingredients. They are not only delicious, they’re very nutritious too.

TINOLANG MANOK

The Pinoy chicken soup for the soul.

INGREDIENTS

1 kilo  chicken, cut into pieces
1   unripe papaya, cut into pieces (you may also use sayote or potatoes)
1   onion, chopped
4 cloves  garlic, crushed
1 inch   ginger-root, cut into strips
1cup   dahon ng sili (you may also use malunggay leaves or spinach leaves)
4-5 cups  water
Patis or salt
Oil

PROCEDURE

1. Sautee garlic, onions and ginger in a frying pan.
2. Add chicken. Wait until slightly brown. Make sure garlic, onions and ginger do not burn.
3. Add patis or salt to taste. Then add enough water to cover the chicken. Let it simmer until chicken is cooked.
4. Add some peeled and sliced green papaya and dahon ng sili. Remove from heat once vegetables are cooked right (not too soft but not too hard either). 

TORTANG TALONG

Here’s a dish that’s rich in fiber and protein.

INGREDIENTS

3  medium sized eggplants
3  eggs
salt
pepper
oil

PROCEDURE

1. Fry eggplants until skins are scorched and blisters appear. Remove from pan and let them cool.
2. Peel off the skins but leave the stem and crown intact. Using the back of a spatula or a fork, flatten eggplants gently.
3. Beat the eggs in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Ready a skillet for frying (medium heat only). Dip each eggplant in the egg mixture before lowering it on the skillet.
5. Fry until golden brown on one side, then turn it over to fry the other side. Serve warm.

SABA CON HIELO

A potassium-rich dessert that’s perfect for summer!

INGREDIENTS

12 pcs  saging na saba (plantain), peeled
1 cup   brown sugar
1 can   evaporated milk or fresh milk
4 cups  water

PROCEDURE

1. In a sauce pan, put bananas, water and sugar. Bring to a boil.
2. Let it simmer until bananas are soft. 
3. Remove from heat. Serve chilled. Add milk to taste. Add crushed ice if desired.