The Practicing Misis: Chicken Coriander Soup with Zucchini and Enoki Mushrooms

The Practicing Misis: Skills Muna Bago Feels

Chicken Coriander Soup with Zucchini and Enoki Mushrooms

By Rosan Katlea Reodica

“Anak, ‘wag ka na magdrama. Kung nahohomesick ka, humarap ka sa kalan at magluto ka.”

Surely, the quickest way to home is through a hot bowl of edible love reminiscent of a Sunday family dinner or that one time during college when you woke up to mom’s lunch of comfort food to cure your hangover. The following recipe is a one pot long distance call to my hometown Cavite. This may not strike nostalgia in you, but this is a surefire answer to a growling tummy after a busy day at work.

Know that my Practicing Misis cooking project is within the confines of my landlady’s kitchen, with maybe an hour or two maximum (including ingredient prep time, simultaneous with laundry and Skype calls with the family) because nakakahiya and because no to OA time spent, I mean hello, learning is not equal to losyang!

Try narin nating magluto kaysa kumain lang ng kumain. Knowing the process behind a dish and getting your fingers dirty is the real key to being a ‘self-confessed foodie’. Hello, millennials!

Chicken Coriander Soup with Zucchini and Enoki Mushrooms

Lasang lutong nanay na may halik at amoy sa pisngi.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:  Baka maiyak ka sa tuwa kasi ang sarap niya pero sobrang dali. Please accept that sometimes, happiness comes easy, you masochist you.

COUNTER: 3 chicken breasts sliced into bite-sized pieces. Bring out your soup pot. Chop a medium onion, peel and smash a whole head of garlic, dice some yellow zucchini and 2 medium tomatoes. Enoki mushrooms! A small bunch! Wash it thoroughly and spread them out. Don’t freak out from its weird sour smell. When cooked, this will act as noodles so if you’re trying to cut back on carbs, you’re welcome. Hehe. #Char

For soup flavoring, bring out salt, pepper, light soy sauce, cayenne, ground cumin, basil, garlic powder and roughly torn fresh coriander leaves – because sometimes, we’ve got to get rid of the chicken cubes.

STOVE: In your pot, pour extra virgin olive oil, throw in the onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Sauté until the onions turn transparent. Mix in the chicken and cover the pot to let out its juices. Or hayaan mong magpawis ang manok para lalong lumambot, kumbaga, #nanayspeak. Then dump in the tomatoes and simmer. Mix in the enoki and zucchini. You’ll notice more water in the pot. Season with the flavorings prior mentioned according to taste. Stir. Pour in about 1 ½ cups of water. Bring to boil. Adjust taste. Just before serving, tear up more fresh coriander leaves and garnish that chunky soup! Best paired with brown and red rice for a texture party. Oh, nanay will be proud with how healthy this is! Call her! Tell her you’re a legit adult now!

SKILLS UNLOCKED: Giving into that OFW nostalgia, those bouts of homesickness for nanay’s comfort all while being productive and busog (you know, instead of crying into your pillow.)

(CREDITS)

The Practicing Misis Cookbook [No Fiancé Required, Guaranteed Gayuma-Free Recipes] – Psicom Publishing Inc., 2016. Available in the Philippines in National Bookstore, Fully Booked and other leading bookstores nationwide. Social Media: @practicingmisis | #practicingmisis | #lukaretcooking