Tinola

Tinola is a soup dish that is served as an appetizer or as a main entrée in the Philippines. It is called Tinola in the Tagalog and Cebuano region and “La Uya” in the Ilocano region. Traditionally, its main ingredients are chicken, wedges of green papaya, and chili pepper leaves. Its soup is made out of chicken broth mixed with ginger, onions, fish sauce, and whole peppercorns.

Photo source 

In some cases, pork is substituted with the chicken. Green papaya can also be substituted with chayote (sayote), and the chili leaves with moringa leaves (malunggay).  As a traditional dish, the chicken is usually cooked in low heat for quite some time to bring out the natural flavor. This dish is best served during cold and rainy weather because of the warming effect of the soup.

This dish was invented in the late 19^th century. Tinola was also referenced in Jose Rizal’s first novel, Noli Me Tangere.

Click here to view the COMPLETE RECIPE.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org; panlasangpinoy.com

Teaser photo source: thecookmobile.com