Weekend. Other than it is a non-working day, it always bring delight in the morning waking up to the smell and sound of the wok pan cooking “sinangag-at-tuyo” (fried rice and sun-dried-fish) …that distinct odour from frying “tuyo”, the smoke and the particular crackling sound … 

“Sinangag-at-tuyo”, I would say, is an essential Philippine cuisine. 

sinangag-at-tuyo special

It is one of the most popular Filipino dish (usually for breakfast) … perhaps, next to hotdog and egg, and is usually prepared this way:

“Sinangag”. Fry minced garlic (generous amount) in oil or butter. When golden brown, add left over steamed rice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Optional, add diced chorizo, green peas, stir-with-fresh egg.

“Tuyo”.  A wide variety of sun-dried-fish-with-salt is available. I prefer ”danggit”, “haot” and “katambak”. Pre-heat oil in a pan. Wash “tuyo” with water to lessen saltiness. Remove excess water. Deep fry (preferred). Don’t worry, you’ll know it’s cooked when it starts to create some smoke and it’s golden brown. When it does, remove from pan.

Serve with sliced hard boiled egg; diced fresh tomatoes (remove seeds) and diced fresh onions(optional).

Dip “tuyo” in vinegar (native, preferred) with minced garlic.

NOTE: Best during rainy days while sipping brewed native coffee.

What is great in mornings? It’s waking up with the aroma of brewing native coffee. But, today, it’s better …. pancake, hotdog and “pure honey”, yes! a relative gave us a bottle of pure honey harvested from their own backyard.

Pure Honey on Pancake

It’s really hard to get a genuinely pure honey around our place. Some, if not many, peddlers mix their trade with sugar and a dash of honeybee to make it appear as if it really is pure. They’ll sell their “pure honey(?)” in a pail, with chunks of hive, topped with live honeybees … but, be wary, it could be just plain sugar-mixed-honey.

But today’s breakfast is glorious … with the sparkling gloden crystal-pure honey syrup and butter on my pancake … the pancake just tastes as I’ve never tasted before … heavenly! … and no bitter aftertaste with my coffee!