Batten down the hatches.
Looks like a storm’s coming.
Looks like a storm’s coming.
I am sitting at my desk looking out of the window. This very spot is one of my favorites in our
little flat. Perhaps that’s why it is
exactly here where I decided, three years ago when we moved in, to locate my
writing desk and laptop, facing this window, which looked out into the
world. When you live in a flat in the
middle of the city, as opposed to a house with a garden or somewhere in the
countryside, you in your little cubbyhole and the “outside world” can sometimes
feel a little disconnected. Buildings to
the left and building to the right…and me, stuck in the middle. So a view, even a smallish, second-string
view, that involves some greenery and the tiniest hint of openness, can be
wondrous.
little flat. Perhaps that’s why it is
exactly here where I decided, three years ago when we moved in, to locate my
writing desk and laptop, facing this window, which looked out into the
world. When you live in a flat in the
middle of the city, as opposed to a house with a garden or somewhere in the
countryside, you in your little cubbyhole and the “outside world” can sometimes
feel a little disconnected. Buildings to
the left and building to the right…and me, stuck in the middle. So a view, even a smallish, second-string
view, that involves some greenery and the tiniest hint of openness, can be
wondrous.
That view is now all gloomy skies and waving branches,
the air heavy with the promise/threat of rain…although any water has yet to
show itself. I am cozily ensconced
inside, here in this my favorite spot, eating a snack of freshly baked bread
from my favorite bakery, slathered with cream cheese and homemade mango jam
made by my father. Typing away at the
keyboard. Enjoying my view. Thinking that in a short bit I’m going to get
up and get started on a pot of chicken tinola, our local chicken soup infused
with ginger and cooked with malunggay (moringa) and chili leaves and unripe
papaya. If the pregnant skies fulfill
their promise, then it will indeed be the perfect night for a hot bowl of tinola.
the air heavy with the promise/threat of rain…although any water has yet to
show itself. I am cozily ensconced
inside, here in this my favorite spot, eating a snack of freshly baked bread
from my favorite bakery, slathered with cream cheese and homemade mango jam
made by my father. Typing away at the
keyboard. Enjoying my view. Thinking that in a short bit I’m going to get
up and get started on a pot of chicken tinola, our local chicken soup infused
with ginger and cooked with malunggay (moringa) and chili leaves and unripe
papaya. If the pregnant skies fulfill
their promise, then it will indeed be the perfect night for a hot bowl of tinola.
And in these simple pleasures, I am happy and content. And I realize, once again, among the many
times I’ve had this realization, that it really takes so little to make
us happy. I hold on to this moment,
filing it away for those times that may (will) come when I know I will doubt if it truly takes so
little.
times I’ve had this realization, that it really takes so little to make
us happy. I hold on to this moment,
filing it away for those times that may (will) come when I know I will doubt if it truly takes so
little.
This isn’t a recipe for chicken tinola. That must wait until the day I manage to pin
down specific quantities to a recipe that is mostly by feel. So I’ll leave you with this. Still very simple…in fact, it must take only 10
minutes to throw this together. A little
bit more exotic than chicken tinola, to be sure, (except if you are not
Filipino – then chicken tinola may seem, and rightfully so, exotic to you) but piled
atop a generous bowl of steaming white rice, spoon in hand and looking out into
the rain, this can be just as comforting.
down specific quantities to a recipe that is mostly by feel. So I’ll leave you with this. Still very simple…in fact, it must take only 10
minutes to throw this together. A little
bit more exotic than chicken tinola, to be sure, (except if you are not
Filipino – then chicken tinola may seem, and rightfully so, exotic to you) but piled
atop a generous bowl of steaming white rice, spoon in hand and looking out into
the rain, this can be just as comforting.
Mongolian Chicken
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon Chinese rice wine
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 dashes white pepper
- 300 grams boneless chicken thigh fillets, cut into pieces
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into thin
pieces - 3 young leeks, white and light green parts only, sliced
diagonally
– Mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce,
Chinese rice wine, cornstarch, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and white pepper. Add the chicken to this mixture and marinade
for 15 minutes.
Chinese rice wine, cornstarch, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and white pepper. Add the chicken to this mixture and marinade
for 15 minutes.
– Heat a wok or skillet over high heat. Add about half of the oil. Add the chicken with the marinade to the pan
and stir-fry until the chicken is browned on all sides (and the marinade thickens and coats the chicken). Remove from pan and set aside.
and stir-fry until the chicken is browned on all sides (and the marinade thickens and coats the chicken). Remove from pan and set aside.
– Heat the remaining oil in the pan, still over high
heat. Add the ginger and garlic and stir-fry
until aromatic. Return the chicken to
the wok and toss until chicken is cooked through. Add the leeks and stir to combine. Take off the heat and serve.
heat. Add the ginger and garlic and stir-fry
until aromatic. Return the chicken to
the wok and toss until chicken is cooked through. Add the leeks and stir to combine. Take off the heat and serve.
Tip: If you want to add some more nutrition, add some
peas (I use frozen peas that have been quickly blanched) to the pan when you
add the chicken back in.
peas (I use frozen peas that have been quickly blanched) to the pan when you
add the chicken back in.
I adapted this recipe from Bee’s Mongolian Beef (which I
have also made…to great success). I love her cookbook and can’t say enough
about it. Although Chinese food is
common over here, it is not something I can say I was ever fully confident
enough to attempt in my own kitchen.
Bee’s book has held my hand and made me believe I could.
have also made…to great success). I love her cookbook and can’t say enough
about it. Although Chinese food is
common over here, it is not something I can say I was ever fully confident
enough to attempt in my own kitchen.
Bee’s book has held my hand and made me believe I could.
The pavement outside is now dark and slick, and the rain that
has since started has stopped for a bit, but I still feel blustery weather
coming. As I listen to little C’s toy
saxophone blowing somewhere in the apartment, followed by big C’s gruff chuckle, and
the smell of ginger wafting through the air, I know I have all I need to
weather any storm.
has since started has stopped for a bit, but I still feel blustery weather
coming. As I listen to little C’s toy
saxophone blowing somewhere in the apartment, followed by big C’s gruff chuckle, and
the smell of ginger wafting through the air, I know I have all I need to
weather any storm.
Oh, that looks so good!
Cheers,
Rosa
i like the simplicity of this recipe (and how quick the cooking time is) so I will definitely include this in our weekly menu. Thanks for sharing!
Yup, this looks comforting…Will try this in the following week.
That wasn't just comfort food, that was comfort reading. Thanks, I needed that. 🙂 Oh, and the recipe sounds delicious.
looks fantastic. will make it tonight for my kids. I'm sure that the next day, cold, after all of the flavors have set – oh boy. Thanks !
Perfect! I have all of these ingredients in my kitchen. Thanks!
uh.. yum
Thanks Rosa 🙂
Hi Faye! It is really simple to make and super quick (the chicken cooks fast, and should not be overcooked)…hope you enjoy it!
Hi Peachy! Hope you like it! 🙂
Hi Jo! Aw! Thanks for such a nice comment 🙂 Glad you liked the post! This dish is dead easy…and yummy 🙂
Hope you and your family enjoy it James!
Hi Neo! Hope you give it a go!
Hi Lula! It was delicious! 🙂
This is JUST the thing to keep one's belly warm on the chilly evenings we've been having of late. 🙂
Hi Midge! Yes, with lots of steaming rice! 🙂