Hello everyone! Today is Labor Day here in the Philippines. While many people are spending the day resting, our online work still continues, so there was no full holiday for me. Even with work waiting, I wanted to do something enjoyable after finishing my household tasks.
Since we had a power outage today, I decided to cook outside near our farmhouse. Cooking outdoors is common in the province, especially when there is no electricity. It is also practical because we have available firewood nearby, so there is no need to use gas.
I chose to cook a simple dish that I loved when I was younger odong noodles with youngstown tinapa. It is an easy meal, affordable, and filling. The smoky flavor of the fish blends well with the noodles, making the soup rich and tasty.
For the ingredients, I prepared tinapa, odong noodles, tomatoes, onion, garlic, water, and seasonings. I also brought out a casserole pot and arranged the firewood first before starting. Building the fire is important because the heat must stay steady for even cooking.
When the fire became strong enough, I placed the pot on top and added a little oil. I sauteed the garlic, onion, and tomatoes until soft. This step gives the dish more flavor because the natural sweetness of the onion and tomato comes out while cooking.
After that, I added the tinapa. I let it cook for a short time so the smoky taste would mix with the sauteed ingredients. Then I poured in water and waited for it to boil.
Once the water was boiling, I added the odong noodles. These noodles cook quickly, so they only need a few minutes. I stirred it gently to keep the noodles from sticking together. Then I added the seasonings and let everything simmer until the noodles softened and the broth became flavorful.
My daughter stayed beside me while I was cooking. She wanted to help, so I let her hand me some ingredients. She enjoyed watching the fire and seeing the pot boil. It became a simple bonding moment while preparing food.
When the dish was ready, we eat outside under the shade of a Santol tree. The breeze coming from the rice field made the meal more enjoyable. Food really tastes different when eaten outdoors, especially when cooked over firewood.
My daughter eat well, and that made me happy. Sometimes the most satisfying meals are not expensive dishes, but simple recipes connected to good memories and shared with family.
Thank you for reading. This is my owned picture, edited in Canva.
Have a nice day!