HOW TO COOK TINOLANG MANOK

Tinolang Manok is one of the many favorite cuisine of Filipinos, especially when we search for a soup dishes.  It has the best taste when native chicken is used for this menu. Traditionally, native chickens are grown in every household's backyard. Nowadays, you can buy this kind of chicken in any public market in the Philippines. They say that in cooking Tinolang Manok, native chicken has more taste than ordinary chicken.

Ingredients :

1 lb. chicken, cut into serving pieces (or any choice cuts of your liking like thighs, drumsticks or wings)
1 thumb-sized fresh ginger root, cut into strips
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 onion, chopped
2 tbsp. patis (fish sauce)
salt, to taste
4 to 5 cups water (or rice water – 2nd washing)
2 to 3 sayote (chayote squash), quartered (or green, unripe papaya or potatoes)
1 cup sili (chili) leaves or malunggay or substitute 1/2 lb. spinach
vegetable oil

Cooking Procedures :

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté ginger and garlic until fragrant. Add onions, stir-fry until softened and translucent.
Add chicken cuts. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until chicken colors slightly. Salt to taste.
Pour in water (or rice water, if using). Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer until chicken is half-done. Add in chayote (or papaya or potatoes, if using). Continue simmering until chicken and vegetable are tender. Correct seasonings and then add chili leaves or malunggay or substitute. Stir to combine until well blended. Remove from heat.
Let stand for a few minutes to cook the green vegetables. Transfer to a serving dish and serve hot.