Hello there! It's me, Mae!
I hope you all are doing well, and welcome to my first entry cooking series — a space where I’ll share meals close to my heart,and home-cooked dishes that is comforting. This will capture those everyday moments where food becomes more than just food — it becomes love served on a plate. Whether it’s quick n' easy recipes, traditional dishes, or something experimental. I hope to bring you into our home, one dish at a time.
As the eldest in our household, I naturally took on the role of kitchen second-in-command beside my mom. Over time, I’ve grown to love the art of cooking, not just for feeding the family, but for how it brings us together. It was 9 AM when my mom casually told me, to cook our breakfast. I looked at what we had: a fresh leg of pork thawing on the counter. No fancy recipes today, I thought. I wanted something a bit simple yet warm and familiar.
So here’s to our first recipe, I decided to cook one of my favorite comfort foods: Nilagang Baboy na May Gabi. It’s a classic Filipino dish — pork simmered until tender, with vegetables and root crops like gabi (taro) that melt in your mouth and give the broth a creamy texture. A warm, brothy pork stew perfect for lazy mornings, rainy days, or whenever you crave something that feels like home.
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Preparation and Ingredients:
1 kilo pork leg, chopped into serving pieces
5 cups of water
1 pork cube (optional, to enhance flavor)
1 medium onion, quartered
5 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
Salt to taste
3 medium gabi (taro root), peeled and sliced
5 small pieces of batuan fruit (adds mild sourness)
Whole cabbage
Green and ripe finger chilies (optional, for mild spice and aroma)
Bay leaves
Oil for sautéing
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Here I am starting to cut all the ingredients to be ready.
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First, I began by boiling the pork. To help remove the unwanted smell and enhance the flavor, I added a generous pinch of salt, a handful of peppercorns, and a few bay leaves. As the broth started to simmer, I carefully skimmed off the scum that floated to the surface. This helps keep the soup clear and clean-tasting. After about an hour of gentle simmering, it is cooked and tender. I strained the pork and gave it a quick rinse to remove any remaining impurities.
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
In a separate casserole, I heated a bit of oil and sautéed the chopped onion and garlic until fragrant and slightly golden.
Step 2: Add the Boiled Pork
Once the aromatics were ready, I added the tender boiled pork (from earlier) and let it absorb the flavors.
Step 3: Add Water and Simmer
I poured in 5 cups of water and let the pot simmer for around 3 minutes since the pork was already tender from pre-boiling.
Step 4: Add the Gabi (Taro) and Batuan
Next, I added the peeled and chopped gabi (taro) along with the batuan, which gives the soup a mildly sour flavor.
Step 5: Mash Some Gabi for Creaminess
Once the taro softened, I scooped out a few pieces, mashed them using a fork, then returned the mashed gabi back into the pot. This adds a creamy texture to the broth.
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Step 6: Season the Soup
I then added salt, whole peppercorns, and pork cubes to enhance the depth of flavor.
Step 7: Add the Vegetables
Once seasoned, I added the cabbage. After just a few seconds, I followed it with both green and ripe finger chilies (siling haba) for aroma and a mild kick.
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Final Step: Simmer and Serve
I gave it a final gentle simmer, making sure that the vegetables were tender but not overcooked and well-blended in flavor.
And it’s done!😍— a warm, hearty bowl of nilagang baboy na may gabi at batuan, ready to serve. Of course, this hearty bowl of Nilagang Baboy na May Gabi is best enjoyed with steamed white rice because let’s be real, what’s a comforting Filipino meal without it?🤣
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This morning wasn’t about creating a perfect dish. It was about cooking with heart and providing for the people we love. That’s what this series will be all about — simple dishes that speak to the heart. Next time, I’ll share another go-to dish from my kitchen. But for now, try cooking nilagang baboy na may gabi at batuan. Trust me, your home will smell like comfort — and taste even better.
What’s your comfort food at home? Let me know!
Hoping to see you all again! Bye bye!❤️
