What is the recipe for pinikpikan?

Pinikpikan is a traditional Filipino chicken soup dish that originated in the Cordilleras region. Here's a simple recipe for pinikpikan:

Ingredients:

- 1 medium-sized native chicken, cleaned and cut into serving pieces

- 2 inches (5 cm) piece of ginger, sliced

- 3 cloves garlic, crushed

- 1 medium-sized onion, sliced

- 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised

- 2 bay leaves

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Water

Instructions:

1. Pound the chicken:

- Pinikpikan literally means "beaten, so the primary characteristic of the dish lies in this process.

- Using the butt-end of a stick or meat mallet, gently pound the chicken until the bones are fractured (not to the point of breaking or crushing). This tenderizes the meat, helps release flavor, and allows the marinade to be more easily absorbed.

2. Marinate the chicken:

- In a large bowl, combine the sliced ginger, crushed garlic, sliced onion, bruised lemongrass, bay leaves, and enough water to cover the chicken.

- Add the chicken pieces and thoroughly mix so that they are well-coated with the marinade.

- Let the chicken marinate for at least one hour or overnight for deeper flavor.

3. Simmer the soup:

- Transfer the marinated chicken and all the marinade ingredients to a large pot with the water used for marinating.

- Season with salt and pepper to taste.

- Bring the contents to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.

- Let the soup simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.

4. Skim off excess fat:

- Throughout the simmering process, periodically skim off any excess fat or scum that accumulates on the soup's surface. This fat removal ensures a more delicate and clean taste.

5. Serve the pinikpikan:

- Once the chicken is cooked, turn off the heat and remove the pot from the stove.

- Serve the pinikpikan hot, ladling the flavorful broth over the pieces of tender chicken. You can include some of the sliced onions and ginger from the marinade in the serving.

Pinikpikan is commonly eaten with steaming hot rice. Depending on the region, other vegetables like green papaya, squash, and even banana blossom may be added to elevate the soup's taste and nutritional value. Enjoy this authentic Filipino dish steeped in culture!