Mom's Chicken Recipes

When we were younger, we would look forward to Sundays for two reasons: I get to wear my Sunday best, and our palates engage in a simple feast. After church, we used to stop by the market. While mom bought ingredients for her "cook-for-the day," we would feed on ice cream (or any sweets vendors were peddling--not to mention those that our kiddie pockets could afford to buy).

Then, mom would busy herself in the kitchen as soon as we get home,and although lunch was served usually after 12 o'clock, the meal she would prepare for us is always worth the wait. Homemade bangus (milkfish) sardines, pinakbet, chopsuey, and adobo are among her specialties.

Since I was then too young (and too puny) to work with knives or other kitchen utensils, I never got the chance to be her kitchen apprentice. My very contribution was being an errand girl--running to the nearest convenient store--to buy an overlooked ingredient in the list...

It was not until a few weeks ago that we started to reminsce, over dessert, how much we miss her cooking. So for two weekends, I became the household cook--not just an apprentice, mind you--attempting to master mom's recipes, which, thank God,turned out well.

"Chicken Pork Adobo"

(or plain chicken/ pork adobo)

Serves: 4-6 Persons
Estimated cooking time: 35 minutes

For this recipe, you'll need:

3/4 kilo of dressed chicken, cut into serving pieces (choiced cut though mom prefers thigh

and breast parts for this recipe)

3/4 kilo of pork belly

1/2 cup dark soy sauce (add more to taste)

1/8 cup of calamansi

1/4 cup or 1 small can of pineapple juice

3 tablespoons of Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce with Roasted Garlic

5 medium-sized bay leaf, crushed

1 head of garlic, minced and peeled

1 onion, diced

black peppercorns

whole hardboiled chicken or quail eggs (optional)

Here's how it's done:

1. Place the chicken and/or pork pieces in a large skillet.

2. Blend in the soy sauce, pineapple juice, calamansi, and marinade sauce. Pour into the

skillet and let it stand for at least 30 minutes. (But for best results, my mom marinates

the meat overnight).

3. Sprinkle with black peppercorns, garlic and onion. Add the crushed bay leaf.

4. Set over medium-high heat until the mixture boils.

5. Turn the meat over and pour 2 cups of water.

6. Simmer for 15-20 minutes and lower heat until the meat becomes golden brown and tender.

(Remove excess oil and check on the meat. Add a little water if the chicken and/or pork

adobo dries up. Add boiled quail eggs.)

"Chicken with Pork and Beans"

Serves: 4-6 Persons
Estimated cooking time: 35 minutes

For this recipe, you'll need:

3/4 to 1 kilo of dressed chicken, cut into serving pieces

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/8 cup of calamansi

3 tablespoons of Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce with Roasted Garlic

1 cup Del Monte Tomato Sauce

1 head of garlic, minced and peeled

1 big can of pork and beans

carrots (optional)

Here's how it's done:

1. Marinate the chicken meat in a mixture of teriyaki marinade sauce, calamansi, and soy

sauce.

2. Saute the garlic until golden brown in a large skillet.

3. Pour in the the chicken meat and the marinade sauce. Add 1 cup of Del Monte Tomato Sauce.

4. Add 2 cups of water. Set over medium heat.

5. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the meat becomes tender (and almost falling

off the bones).

7. Add the pork and beans. (You may add carrots to make it a balanced meal).

Collision

It seemed like any ordinary day. I woke up at around 6:00 in the morning and got up after the second alarm (just to be safe, I always have my alarm clock set at 5:40, 6:00 and 6:30 in the morning). Then I took a bath, brushed my teeth, got dressed, and strode out of the boarding house. "The earlier I get to school the better," I thought. I would still have the time to enjoy a mug of hot choco or munch on my pandesal or better yet, munch on pandesal dipped in hot choco.

My neighbor, who's also a colleague, was already out by the street waiting for her ride. It came quite soon and it was almost full. I decided to wait for another 3A at the stop. It was early anyway--no need for a cab.

In less than a minute, the next jeep came. It was a pink one! And empty (just the driver and I). I took this one and I sat. There was quite a distance between the driver and I. I had to inch little by little in the seat and eventually gave the manong my fare. I was nearly back to my seat when I saw the manong frantically pedal on the brakes. Everything else seemed like flashes. Now, I know how it's like when they describe series of events that happen too quickly. I find myself "smashed" into the divider which separates the passengers from the driver. I had no time to feel the pain, however, for as soon as I heard the by-standers yell : "Gas! Gas!" while pointing at the street, I immediately got off the jeep. Indeed, gasoline was dripping right into the pavement and the smell would have made me dizzy. But not today. Not now.

I hailed another jeepney and eventually got to school. I was able to walk, and I hardly noticed the pain. When I was at the gate, the nurses were at their usual post--taking temperature through the thermal scanner. My supervisor happened to be there as well. Standing sternly she checked on kids being dropped off and entering the school gates. As I got nearer, she suddenly gave me a quizical look: "Are you okay, Teacher Rizha? " She was looking at my blouse--particularly the sleeves. I followed her gaze.Only then did I realize that my right sleeve had been smudged with rust.  At the same time, I realized my right arm seemed to throb. I told her what happened in the quickest way possible, and went to the school clinic, as advised. When I rolled my sleeve and eventually had to take off my pants, I saw the ugly bruises.

It was quite an experience...I pity the driver because I know the damage on his jeepney would cost him a lot. He was in his "right" lane. The other bigger jeepney zoomed past and stopped recklessly right in front--he was hoping to beat another jeepney and get more passengers. Amidst all these, I wondered: "If I hadn't taken his jeep, would I have stopped  this from happening?"

The bruises are healing. No bones have been broken. The nurses tended the throbbing muscles.

I am alive and well. I am thankful.