Tahong Bicol Specific combines the creaminess of coconut milk, the daring warmth of chili peppers, and the briny sweetness of mussels in a single flavorful dish. This seafood twist on the Bicol basic is reassuring, satisfying, and an incredible selection whether or not you serve it with rice or take pleasure in it as pulutan with pals.

I’ve at all times loved the mixture of coconut milk and spice, and this Tahong Bicol Specific recipe is one which by no means fails to impress. The mussels take in the wealthy, creamy sauce superbly, making a seafood dish that’s each comforting and stuffed with character.

This recipe brings again recollections of cooking by the ocean within the Philippines, when contemporary mussels had been plentiful and gata dishes had been a daily deal with. The sweetness of the mussels, the warmth of the chilies, and the richness of coconut milk all mix collectively completely. These days, I make this at residence as a hearty foremost dish or generally as pulutan throughout small get-togethers.

In the event you take pleasure in dishes with creamy coconut taste and a bit of warmth, you may also like Seafood Bicol Specific, which makes use of a mixture of shrimp, squid, and fish for additional selection.

What’s Tahong Bicol Specific

Tahong Bicol Specific is a seafood variation of the basic Bicol Specific. Historically, Bicol Specific makes use of pork cooked in coconut milk with shrimp paste and chili peppers. This model replaces the meat with mussels, making a lighter but equally flavorful dish.

The dish traces its roots to the Bicol area, the place folks love utilizing gata (coconut milk) and sili (chili) in on a regular basis cooking. The identify “Bicol Specific” was impressed by the prepare that when traveled from Manila to Bicol, symbolizing the dish’s spicy and fast-rising reputation.

In Tahong Bicol Specific, the pure sweetness of mussels balances the spiciness of the sauce. It really works splendidly as a foremost course or as pulutan. The sauce is creamy and spicy, making it good for gatherings the place meals and laughter are shared freely.

1. Boil the mussels.
   Boil water in a pot and add the crushed ginger. Prepare dinner for two minutes to infuse the broth, then add the mussels. Boil for 1 minute, drain, and separate the meat from the shells. Put aside.
2. Sauté the aromatics.
   Warmth cooking oil in a big pan over medium warmth. Sauté garlic till mild brown. Add onion and minced ginger, and proceed cooking till the onion softens and turns into aromatic.
3. Add shrimp paste and chili.
   Stir within the shrimp paste and Thai chili pepper. Prepare dinner for 45 seconds to launch the flavors.
4. Add coconut milk.
   Pour within the coconut milk and convey it to a delicate boil. Simmer for a couple of minutes till barely thickened.
5. Add the mussels.
   Add the mussels and simmer for 1 minute. Take away them from the sauce and proceed cooking till the liquid reduces by half.
6. Mix and end.
   Return the mussels to the pan and add the lengthy inexperienced pepper. Stir gently and prepare dinner for one more minute. Season with floor black pepper. Serve scorching with rice or as pulutan throughout gatherings.

Components for Tahong Bicol Specific

• Mussels – contemporary and tender shellfish that give the dish its pure briny taste.
• Coconut milk – creamy liquid that serves as the center of the dish.
• Garlic – enhances aroma and provides savory depth.
• Onion – contributes delicate sweetness to stability the warmth.
• Ginger – offers heat and helps tone down the fishy scent.
• Thai chili pepper – the primary supply of spiciness.
• Lengthy inexperienced pepper – provides delicate warmth and a splash of coloration.
• Shrimp paste – offers the dish its salty and umami-rich taste.
• Crushed ginger – added whereas boiling mussels to boost aroma.
• Water – used for boiling and cleansing the mussels.
• Cooking oil – used for sautéing the aromatics.
• Floor black pepper – for closing seasoning.

Greatest Methods to Take pleasure in Tahong Bicol Specific

Tahong Bicol Specific is greatest loved scorching with steamed rice. The creamy sauce seeps into the rice, making each chunk wealthy and satisfying. It’s additionally a type of dishes that pairs superbly with chilly drinks, which makes it an ideal selection for pulutan.

For a lighter choice, serve it with a aspect of contemporary cucumber salad or grilled greens. The crispness of those sides balances the creaminess of the sauce.

How This Tahong Bicol Specific Stands Out

Whereas most Bicol Specific dishes use pork or hen, this model stands out due to its clear, ocean-inspired taste. Mussels give the sauce a pure sweetness that blends completely with the spicy coconut base. The feel is lighter, making it an excellent selection for individuals who desire seafood or need one thing completely different from the same old meat-based dishes.

This recipe additionally cooks rapidly and makes use of easy components. It’s good for residence cooks who need one thing flavorful and distinctive with out spending an excessive amount of time within the kitchen.

• You possibly can substitute mussels with shrimp, crab, or squid for a combined seafood model.
• Use coconut cream as a substitute of coconut milk for a thicker, richer sauce.
• Exchange Thai chili with finger chilies for a milder taste.
• If shrimp paste is unavailable, fish sauce works as a superb different.

Storage and Leftovers

• Retailer leftovers in a coated container within the fridge for as much as 2 days.
• Reheat gently over low warmth. Add coconut milk if the sauce thickens an excessive amount of.
• Keep away from freezing to protect the sauce texture and coconut milk consistency.

What to Have with It

• Tinolang Tahong – a light-weight mussel soup cooked with ginger that enhances the creamy specific sauce.
• Tuyo Fried Rice– savory and fragrant rice that balances the richness of the dish.
• Crispy Pork Stomach – crunchy, savory pork that pairs superbly with the creamy sauce.

• Can I exploit frozen mussels for this recipe?
  Sure, simply thaw them fully earlier than cooking. Recent mussels present the very best taste and texture.
• How spicy is that this dish?
  The spice degree depends upon what number of chili peppers you utilize. Begin with a number of and regulate to your liking.
• Can I skip the shrimp paste?
  You possibly can, however you’ll lose among the umami taste. Use fish sauce instead.
• Can this be ready forward of time?
  Sure, you may make it a number of hours forward. Reheat gently earlier than serving to maintain the sauce creamy.
• Is that this good as pulutan?
  Completely. The creamy and spicy sauce pairs completely with drinks, making it a superb pulutan choice.

Tahong Bicol Specific proves that easy components can ship unbelievable taste. Each chunk carries the right stability of creamy, spicy, and savory notes. It’s a dish that brings heat to the desk and smiles to everybody having fun with it.

Whether or not served as a meal or as pulutan, it at all times seems like a celebration of Filipino consolation meals. Strive making it at residence and expertise how the wealthy coconut taste and warmth from the chilies come collectively superbly with contemporary tahong.

Did you make this? In the event you snap a photograph, please be certain tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we will see your creations!

Tahong Bicol Specific

Mussels simmered in spicy coconut milk with shrimp paste, ginger, and chilies. A creamy, flavorful seafood dish that may be loved with rice or as pulutan.

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Prepare dinner: 20 minutes minutes

Gear

• Pot For boiling mussels with ginger

• Giant pan or skillet For sautéing aromatics and simmering coconut milk

• Strainer For draining mussels

• Wood spoon or spatula For stirring with out breaking the mussels

Directions

• Boil water in a pot and add the crushed ginger. Prepare dinner for two minutes to infuse the liquid.

  4 cups water, 4 thumbs ginger

• Add the mussels and boil for 1 minute. Drain utilizing a strainer, then separate the meat from the shells and put aside.

  2 lbs mussels

• Warmth cooking oil in a big pan over medium warmth. Sauté the garlic till it begins to brown.

  3 tablespoons cooking oil, 5 cloves garlic

• Add the onion and minced ginger. Proceed sautéing till the onion softens.

  1 items onion, 2 thumbs ginger

• Stir within the shrimp paste and Thai chili pepper. Prepare dinner for 30 to 45 seconds to bloom the flavors.

  3 tablespoons shrimp paste, 4 items Thai chili pepper

• Pour within the coconut milk and convey to a delicate boil.

  2 cups coconut milk

• Add the mussels and simmer for 1 minute. Take away the mussels and proceed cooking the sauce till it thickens and reduces by half.

  2 lbs mussels

• Add the lengthy inexperienced pepper and return the mussels to the pan. Prepare dinner for 1 minute or till the peppers barely soften.

  1 items lengthy inexperienced pepper, 2 lbs mussels

• Season with floor black pepper, regulate to style, and serve scorching with rice.

  1/4 teaspoon floor black pepper

Notes

• Regulate the quantity of Thai chili to your most popular warmth degree.
• For a creamier texture, simmer the coconut milk longer earlier than returning the mussels.
• If mussels launch extra liquid after simmering, cut back the sauce a bit extra for a richer end.

Vitamin Info

Energy: 459kcal (23%) Carbohydrates: 9g (3%) Protein: 25g (50%) Fats: 38g (58%) Saturated Fats: 23g (115%) Polyunsaturated Fats: 4g Monounsaturated Fats: 8g Trans Fats: 0.04g Ldl cholesterol: 161mg (54%) Sodium: 754mg (31%) Potassium: 645mg (18%) Fiber: 0.2g (1%) Sugar: 0.1g Vitamin A: 198IU (4%) Vitamin C: 14mg (17%) Calcium: 110mg (11%) Iron: 9mg (50%)

© copyright: Vanjo Merano