Thursday, February 17, 2011

Pinoy Barbie (Filipino Style Barbecue)

And I do not mean a variation to the popular fashion doll. Rather, “barbie” is how Aussies affectionately refer to one of the favourite pastimes downunder, barbecue/barbecuing. Hence it is the cooking method of choice every Australia Day celebration (I meant to post this on that day for that particular reason…but just did not find the time). Large pieces of marinated meat/seafood are “thrown on the barbie” for a quick and tasty summer meal in the great outdoors.


We Filipinos have our own barbecue tradition if you like. Instead of large chunks of meat we like them bite size and skewered (using bamboo) much like the more well-known Southeast Asian satay. But rather than a spicy peanut sauce we Pinoys favour the smoky savoury sweet taste not too dissimilar to the style of our North American brothers.


There is another stark difference between the Aussie and the Pinoy barbie. Rather than cooking over charcoal the preferred antipodeans’ method is the use of a gas heated hot plate or a grill. You will not get the smoky barbecue finish doing it this way so I still revert back to using coal (or heat beads).



Barbecuing is meant to be easy. That is why I do not bother concocting a complicated alchemy of ingredients. The main component of my marinade is a pre-made mix made by Mama Sita’s (a popular Filipino food manufacturer). I add pineapple juice for some fruity freshness and some tomato ketchup for a right sweet and sour balance.



The marinade works well with other kinds of meat but my preference is pork. You do not have to skewer the meat if that’s too much of a chore. I tried this using pork chops and the result was still fantastic. It’s best to use cuts with a little bit of fat to keep the barbecue moist. Otherwise put a bit of oil in your marinade and use it to baste the meat as it cooks.


Grilled eggplants to make an Asian style salad





Quick & Easy Pinoy BBQ ala Beancounter

1 packet Mama Sita’s Barbeque Marinade

¼ cup soy sauce

1 cup pineapple juice

¼ cup tomato ketchup

Chillies (optional)

1 kg pork (belly strips, chops or any pork cut you prefer)

1. Mix all the marinade ingredients.

2. Pour the marinade on the meat and set aside for at least an hour.

3. Prepare your barbecue using charcoal or heat beads.

4. Length of cooking time depends on the thickness of your meat. Baste it from time to time to avoid drying out.

5. Serve with rice and some grilled eggplant salad.



My de-glamorised BBQ assistant



7 comments:

cusinera said...

Yes, Pinoy BBQ won't be Pinoy without coals and to team it up with grilled eggplant...excellent combo=)

The Beancounter said...

Cusinera, hot plates are no different from "kawali"... if you don't use "uling" you might as well fry it...

Julie Ann Events said...

Thanks so much for the recipe! I never thought to add pineapple juice to my marinades!!!

Anonymous said...

Apologies for the spam - but we thought you'd be interested in Rick Stein's hunt to find Australia's top food blogger!

Rick Stein is touring Australia from late March with his Food Odyssey tour live on stage for the first time including shows in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

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If you're interested google "Rick Stein Tour" and look for the WIN page or find us on twitter @ricksteininoz.
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Best of luck!
Cheers
Rae

The Beancounter said...

Do give it a try Julie! Thanks for dropping by!

The Beancounter said...

Thanks Rae! I'll give it a go...

Unknown said...

The Social Club’s Filipino Barbie

On the 11th of March at 12 noon, the Northcote Social Club will put a twist to their usual spit roast sundays by hosting a Filipino Barbie, barbecue for those unfamiliar with Aussie slang. This event is just in good time with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival being held in the month of March. The 'barbie', Australia’s most favourite past time, would be the quintessential way to discover Asia’s most unexplored cuisine.

With the collaboration of Filipino chefs from the Philippines’ top culinary school, the Centre of Culinary Arts (CCA, Manila), you’ll get a taste of authentic Filipino delicacies for 25$ a plate. The spotlight would definitely be on the *lechon de leche, *a suckling pig being slow cooked on a charcoal spit roast until the skin is crispy golden brown. The supporting acts to this beloved *lechon* will be just as tasty--*lumpia*, *kilawin*, *sisig* and *halu-halo* to name a few--ensuring that it is more fun in the Philippines.

This fiesta will be held at the deck of the NSC from 12 noon to 6 pm. So, be early. Either way, make a reservation (Contact Bear 0450072770) and we’ll hold a plate for you. Come along and bring your family and friends because it does hold true that the more the merrier... until the food runs out.