Misua, also known as misa de gallina (chicken broth) in Filipino cuisine, is one of the most famous and traditional dishes in the country.
This flavorful chicken-based broth is richly packed with vitamins and nutrients that help maintain good health.
It’s often consumed at mealtimes as a way to boost energy levels and keep your body healthy.
Misua, also known as “torta ng alimango” (literally translates into torta/bread of the monkey) is one of the most traditional Filipino dishes that originated during Spanish times.
Where Does Misua Come From?
The word “misua” comes from a native language of Tagalogs called Ilokano and means literally “to eat” – thus referring to the act of eating something.
The dish itself was created by the Spaniards when they introduced rice, bread, and other ingredients such as chicken, eggs, fish, meat, etc., to the natives living on the island of Panay.
It was then made popular among Filipinos after it became their staple food.
However, it wasn’t until the 1920s where the dish gained its own identity outside of the islands of Panay.
In 1935, Misia de Leon, who had been working for many years at the American Embassy in Manila, brought back the recipe from her home country of Spain and started selling it out through an old store she opened near the embassy building.
She named this dish “Tortas na Alimango” which eventually evolved into what we know today as “misua”.
De Leon sold her version of the dish under the name “Panaderias de la Lola Misia”, which eventually turned into the famous restaurant chain “La Merced” and later on into “Pizza Hut” restaurants in the United States.
As time passed, people around the world began to enjoy the taste of the dish.
In fact, there are now branches of La Merced all over Europe and America including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and even some countries in the Middle East.
What Is The History Of Misua?
The word “misa” means to mix and it was a common practice for farmers to take their produce such as banana leaves, rice flour, coconut milk, meat and fish to be mixed together and cooked over an open fire.
The term “alimango” refers to monkeys which were the ones who ate these meals first.
This dish became popular among farmers because they used this food source when there wasn’t enough money for other foods.
“Misa” can also refer to any kind of meal made from mixing things together.
In fact, according to the National Museum of the Philippines, the origin of the name “misuas” comes from the old saying, “Alam mo ang amoy na masama sa kanya at nagkain siya ng mungkin diyan.”
It literally translates to, “You know how your child eats badly and he / she eats what is given to him / her.”
This dish has been passed down through generations since then and it’s still being served today by Filipinos all around the world.
How Is Misua Made?
The process of making misua is simple and it can be done by anyone who wants to learn how to make this delicacy.
- Ingredients: Misua flour, coconut milk, salt, sugar, eggs, banana leaves, vegetable oil, garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaf, and water.
- Procedure:
- 1. Prepare a mixture of ingredients by adding all the dry ingredients to a mixing bowl
- 2. Add in the liquid ingredients such as coconut milk, egg yolk, etc., then add them to your mixer
- 3. Mix until everything becomes doughy
- 4. Take out some of the batter and mix it again
- 5. Repeat steps three and four until you have enough dough
- 6. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough
- 7. Cut out circles using a cookie cutter
- 8. Grease both sides of each circle
- 9. Wrap the circles inside banana leaves
- 10. Place the wrapped breads in an oven
- 11. Bake for about 15 minutes
- 12. Remove the baking tray and let the bread cool down
- 13. Enjoy!
- This dish is usually served hot but if you want to serve it cold, just place it on a plate, wrap it in aluminum foil, and put it in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.
- You may use a microwave instead of the oven but I would suggest not doing so because microwaved misua will lose its texture when it comes back to room temperature.
What Are The Different Types Of Misua?
There are three main varieties of misua:
- Almond Misua – made from ground almonds and sugar
- Coconut Misua – made from grated coconut and sugar
- Lentil Misua – made from lentils and flour
1. Almond Misua
This type of misua is a typical Filipino dessert which can be prepared for special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays etc.
It is usually served after you have finished eating your meal.
The almond misua has a sweet taste and it is soft when warm but hardens once cooled down.
It tastes great with butter and milk.
2. Coconut Misua
Coconuts were brought over by the Spaniards to help them survive their harsh climate.
They used coconuts for making breads and desserts like this misua which was originally called ‘torta de mondongo’ back then.
The coconut misua is similar to the almond misua except instead of using ground almonds, they use grated coconut.
Another difference is that the coconut misua is not baked but just steamed.
3. Lentil Misua
Lentil misua is another popular Philippine delicacy that is very easy to make at home.
You can prepare this misua with all sorts of ingredients such as beef, chicken, fish, pork, eggs, vegetables etc.
The base of this particular misua is made from dried red lentils while the other ingredients are added afterwards.
If you want to try baking this misua, you need to pre-soak the lentils overnight before adding them to the mixture.
Baking will release more starch content in the final product and give it a unique texture.
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Misua?
The ingredients used to make this dish include coconut milk, meat and seafood, and a variety of vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, carrots, and peas.
The combination makes for an excellent source of protein, vitamins, calcium, iron, potassium, and fiber.
But what exactly does it have to offer our bodies? To find out, we reached out to Dr.
Jodi Dominguez who specializes in internal medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center.
She shared her knowledge on how misua can benefit your body by providing some insight into its nutritional value.
1. Misua has high levels of Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, skin, connective tissue, teeth, and immune system functions.
It also plays an important role in helping prevent cancer and heart disease.
Dr.
Dominguez says that vitamin C helps fight infection, reduces inflammation, improves wound healing, promotes bone growth, and provides protection against oxidative stress.
She adds that since misua contains plenty of vitamin C, people should consume it regularly to help sustain their health and well-being.
2. Misua Has High Levels of Calcium
Calcium is essential for building strong bones and teeth.
It is also involved in maintaining muscle function and blood clotting.
Calcium deficiency leads to osteoporosis, which may cause fractures.
It is recommended that adults between 19 and 50 years old get 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily.
Those whose age exceeds 50 need more than 1,200 mg per day.
According to Dr.
Dominguez, misua contains more than 200% of the RDA for calcium.
Therefore, consuming misua every day will ensure that you meet your calcium needs.
3. Misua Contains Potassium
Potassium is another mineral vital to human life.
Its main function is to regulate fluid balance, nerve impulses, enzyme activity, and heartbeat.
It also aids in the maintenance of normal muscle contraction and cellular metabolism.
A study conducted in 2015 showed that men who consumed more potassium had lower risks of developing cardiovascular diseases compared to those who did not take extra potassium supplements.
In fact, the risk decreased by 20%.
Since misua contains very little sodium, it is ideal for those who want to reduce salt intake from their diet.
However, if you already eat low-sodium foods, adding misua won’t affect your sodium level.
4. Misua Is Rich in Fiber
Fiber is found mostly in plant-based food sources like fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole-grain products.
It is believed that fiber contributes to good digestion and regular bowel movements.
It regulates cholesterol, lowers LDL (bad cholesterol), increases HDL (good cholesterol), and prevents obesity.
In addition to its many health benefits, fiber also helps to improve the texture and taste of food.
That means, instead of feeling full after just having a small amount of misua, you might feel satisfied longer because of all the nutrients in the meal.
5. Misua Contains Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids play a crucial role in improving brain development and preventing memory loss in older ages.
They also prevent certain types of cancers, diabetes, arthritis, depression, and coronary artery disease.
These fats are found mainly in fish oil but they can be obtained from other plants too.
When it comes to misua, it only contains omega 6 fatty acid, which is considered harmful to our body.
So, while there is no scientific evidence suggesting that misua is bad for us, it’s best to avoid it when following a vegan lifestyle.
6. Misua Is Low Glycemic Index Food
Glycogen is a type of glucose stored inside cells and serves as energy reserves.
When glycogen gets depleted, the body starts using fat stores for fuel.
High glycemic index foods break down quickly once digested, causing rapid rise in blood sugar levels.
On the contrary, low glycemic index foods digest slowly, so they don’t raise blood sugar levels as much.
This is why misua is classified as a low-glycemic index food.
Eating it causes slow release of glucose into the bloodstream without affecting insulin levels significantly.
7. Misua Can Help You Lose Weight Easily
Studies show that food rich in dietary fibers tends to fill up less space in the stomach, making you feel fuller faster.
As a result, you tend to eat fewer calories throughout the course of the day.
That said, misua is extremely filling thanks to its high fiber content.
Because of this, it doesn’t leave you hungry even though it takes quite a bit of time before you finish chewing each bite.
What Are Some Popular Misua Recipes?
There are many different kinds of misua and each has a unique taste depending on the type of flour used to make it.
For example, you can choose from sweetened misua for dessert, savory misua for eating with rice, and misua made out of corn flour for making snacks like chips.
Misua can be served in various ways such as plain, topped with cheese, added with eggs, or even baked in a baking pan.
Here are some of the best-known misua recipes that you should try if you want to get acquainted with this classic Filipino food:
- Sweet Misua Recipe – This is one of the most famous types of misura because of its sweetness. It uses sugar instead of salt to balance the sourness of tamarind juice.
- Savory Misua Recipe – This is another version of misua which is usually eaten with rice or noodles. It is seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and pepper.
- Miso Soup Recipe – It is typically served warm but can also be chilled as well. The flavor of this miso soup varies depending on what kind of misoa (flour) is used.
- Fried Misua Chips – These chips are crispy and crunchy when fried. They can be made out of either corn flour or wheat flour.
How Can Misua Be Served?
The ingredients for this dish include rice flour and coconut milk, which gives it a very creamy taste when cooked.
The dough is then rolled out to make its own unique shape – usually round but sometimes square or oval-shaped depending on preference.
It can either be fried in oil or baked in an oven at low heat.
This is how you should serve misua:
- Roll out the dough using your hands until flat and smooth.
- Cut into desired shapes and sizes.
- Fry them in hot oil until golden brown.
- Serve misua immediately after frying.
What Are Some Tips For Making A Perfect Misua Dish?
The first thing to do when it comes to cooking misua is to choose your ingredients wisely and make sure they are fresh.
If you can find them at an authentic market, then go ahead and buy them there! You don’t want anything old since its shelf life is very short.
The best way to ensure that your misua will be delicious would be to cook it right away after purchasing all the necessary ingredients.
A good rule of thumb is that if you have to put up with something for two weeks, it probably won’t taste good by the time you eat it.
So, make sure you get everything ready before hand so that you can enjoy this delicacy immediately upon eating it.
Now, what should you prepare first? Well, first things first – chop up the veggies and set aside.
Cut down on any excess fat from the meat and keep it separate from the rest of the ingredients.
If you have leftover bones, cut them into smaller pieces and place them inside another container.
Now, you can start preparing the filling.
- Put oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once hot enough, add onions and garlic until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and brown thoroughly. Add salt and pepper once cooked through.
- Once done, transfer mixture to a mixing bowl and let cool completely.
- Chop up tomatoes, carrots, green bell peppers, celery, radishes, and cucumber. Set aside.
- In another bowl, mix eggs, milk, cornstarch, and baking powder together. Set aside.
- Cut onions, carrots, and green bell peppers into small cubes. In a food processor, blend these ingredients along with other vegetables. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- With clean hands, knead the vegetable mixture well. Make sure there aren’t lumps anywhere.
- Add egg mixture to the bowl and combine with your hands. Mix well.
- Divide the dough into six equal portions and roll each portion into balls. Flatten out each ball using a rolling pin and shape it into a circle about 1 cm thick.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap on top of the misura and press down firmly.
- Remove the plastic wrap and repeat with remaining dough circles.
- Heat butter in a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. When melted, carefully place misuras onto the pan and allow them to cook without moving them around too much. Cook for 3 minutes per side.
- When golden brown, remove misuras from the pan and drain off excess grease.
- Serve misuras warm with rice or steamed white beans.
Are There Any Precautions To Take When Eating Misua?
There are no special precautions to take when eating this traditional Filipino food.
- If you have a cold and runny nose, it might help if you eat some misua before going out for dinner.
- Do not eat excessive amounts of misua because it has high levels of calories.
- The best way to enjoy misua is to use your hands to break apart the bread pieces while they are still hot from the oven.
What does misua taste like?
Miso uot has a light sour flavor.
It tastes similar to what is found in many Asian cuisines such as Japanese shoyu sauce and Chinese soy sauce.
Miso uot contains glutinous rice flour which gives the final product its chewy texture.
Where did misua originate?
The origin of misua lies on how the Spaniards brought this sweet dessert to the Philippines.
The main ingredient used in making misua was glutinous rice flour mixed with sugar and water.
They would then boil the mixture until the liquid becomes thick and sticky.
Once cooked, the glutinous rice dough is scooped up by hand and placed inside a bamboo basket.
When done, the misua is wrapped and left to cool off naturally.
Today, this classic Filipino dessert is commonly made using store-bought baking sheets.
You will find misua at bakeries, supermarkets, and restaurants all over the country.
In addition, misua is now being manufactured using machines that resemble the one shown below.
What Is Misua?
A bowl of misua soup with vegetables.
Misua is a thick and hearty soup made by simmering ground meat, pork blood, chicharon (fried pig intestines), garlic, onion, ginger, carrots, and other spices like cloves or cinnamon to create this delicious comfort food.
It’s typically served either at room temperature or cold but it can be enjoyed hot too if you prefer! It’s often garnished with slices of hard boiled egg, fried banana chips, roasted peanuts, and calamansi juice on top.
The name misua comes from the word mula which means ‘root’ in Tagalog.
The root of the vegetable used in misua is called ubi meaning ‘cassava’.
Cassava has long been an important source of starch in the Philippines since pre-colonial times.
So what exactly makes misua so special?
- Miso is a paste made out of fermented soybeans and salt that gives the misoa its unique flavor.
- Miso is rich in protein, vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, and magnesium.
- Because of the high amount of nutrients found in miso, it’s considered a superfood.
- Due to its nutritional value, miso is commonly added to soups, salads, sauces, and stews.
- There are many different kinds of miso including white and yellow misos which have a milder taste while brown misos are stronger in flavor.
How do I make misua?
If you’re new to cooking, then it may seem intimidating to get started with misua.
But there are plenty of ways to cook misua without having to spend much time in the kitchen.
Where Does Misua Come From?
The word “misua” literally means bread of the monkey.
The name comes from how it was prepared and served by the Spaniards who brought their culture to the Philippines.
It was popularized because it could be made using a mortar and pestle for grinding ingredients like sweet potato or tapioca flour, which are common staples in Philippine diets.
Misua can also be made without these ingredients but this will result in a more dense texture.
In addition, misua has a unique taste due to its preparation method.
Unlike other types of breads where water-based dough is used, misua uses coconut milk instead.
Since coconut milk adds moisture to the dough, it helps create a softer and fluffier texture compared to wheat flour based breads.
To further understand the process, let us see what happens when you make misua at home.
- 1 cup of tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups of water
- ¼ cup of coconut oil melted on low heat
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 egg
What Is The History Of Misua?
The word misua literally means torta de limang-limang (coconut cake).
However, it was not a coconut cake but rather an egg and flour pancake which has been popularly referred to as misua by Filipinos because of its resemblance to the shape of a coconut.
It was originally created by Chinese immigrants who came to the Philippines when Spain colonized Luzon Island in 1571.
The earliest records of misua are found on the 17th century manuscripts written by Jesuit missionaries.
According to historians like Dr.
Bernadette Pasion, misua was first introduced to the islands by Chinese traders who arrived in the country around 1450 AD.
These traders were primarily from Fujian province in China where it’s believed they brought this delicacy along with them when they migrated to the Philippines.
This theory is based on the fact that misua recipes have similarities between the two countries since both are part of Southeast Asia.
As time passed, misua became more popular among locals and eventually evolved into what we know today as the iconic Philippine breakfast or lunch dish.
When did misua become a staple food for Filipinos?
In the early 1900s, misua gained popularity in the Philippines especially in Manila where it was served at weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, religious ceremonies, etc.
In those days, misua was mostly prepared by home cooks using only eggs, flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, salt and water to make their own version of this delicious pancake.
However, over the years, commercial misua makers began producing mass produced versions of the dish.
But still, misua remains a favorite snack and meal throughout the year in homes all across the country.
How Is Misua Made?
The process of making this dish involves a lot of steps and requires patience to complete it.
It takes more than 1 hour for the ingredients to be cooked together before you can enjoy your meal.
Also, make sure not to overcook the meat because if done so, the texture will become tough.
- First, boil all the meats until they reach an internal temperature of 145℉. Remove from heat and let cool down.
- After cooking the meats, add them to a mixing bowl. Add chopped onions, garlic, ginger, green chilies, vinegar, brown sugar, salt, pepper, bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom and coriander seeds. Mix well.
- Add the pork loin, beef brisket, mutton shanks, chicken thighs, duck legs, duck breast, fish heads, tripe, liver and heart. Then mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Next, add the water, coconut milk, soy sauce, sago pearls, cornstarch, rice flour and vinegar to the mixing bowl. Stir well so that everything gets evenly distributed.
- Lastly, pour the mixture on top of a rectangular sheet pan covered by aluminum foil. Spread the mixture out so that it covers the entire surface area of the pan. Place another piece of aluminum foil over the mixture and then cover it tightly.
- Cook for about 3 hours at 165℉. Once finished, remove the aluminum foil and allow the misua to cool off completely.
- Once cooled off, cut the misua into small pieces to serve to your guests. Serve hot with white rice.
What Are The Different Types Of Misua?
The type of flour used to make a particular kind of misua will vary depending on the region and time period it was developed.
- Pinao – This is the oldest form of misua which uses rice flour as its main ingredient. It can be found in some parts of Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite & Laguna
- Kamote – Kamote is another popular variety of misua which comes from Cebu province. The flour itself is white but when cooked becomes yellowish brown. Its taste tends to be sweeter than pinao.
- Biyahe – Biyahe is a local variant of misua that is usually baked using banana leaves as the cooking material. There are several versions of biyahe recipes such as those originating from Iloilo, Antique, Camarines Norte and others. The ingredients and preparation methods however differ between each version.
- Pinagdasal – Pinagdasal means ‘toasted bread’ and refers to any food item that has been fried before being put into the oven for baking. Some examples include bagoong pinakbet, lumpia, pancit, etc. Toasting brings out the flavor of these items and makes them crispy.
- Espesol – Espesol is a very common variant of misua that originated from Ilocos Sur. It contains both corn starch and tapioca flours. It tastes sweet and slightly sour due to the addition of vinegar and sugar.
- Mami – Mami is a type of misua that uses tapioca flour as its base instead of rice flour. It is typically baked like other varieties of misua although there are variations of this type of misua that use egg yolk as well.
- Lumpiang Misua – Lumpiang misua is simply misua served inside a hollowed-out piece of steamed dough called lumpia. These lumps of misua are then wrapped up and boiled in water until they turn soft. They are then dipped in sariwa sauce to serve.
- Tinola – Tinola is a dessert similar to pudding made with misua. It is typically flavored with pandan leaf extract and coconut milk.
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Misua?
A bowl of misua soup with vegetables can be a great source of proteins and other essential nutrients for your body.
This meal is usually served at dinner time to give you strength before going back home after working all day long.
Here are some of the health benefits of eating misua:
- Eating misua will help reduce stress levels by providing vitamins B1, C, E and K, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc and selenium.
- It helps boost energy and fight fatigue through its high fiber content.
- Miso contains probiotics which aid digestion and prevent constipation.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of misua, read on!
What Are Some Popular Misua Recipes?
Misa means “to eat” and it was believed to have been created by a group of monkeys who were hungry after they ate all their bananas.
The dish consists of ingredients like breaded pork meatballs which is fried until golden brown.
It has since evolved into a variety of delicious meals.
- Bagoong Bayam – Bagoong is fermented fish sauce while bayam refers to rice flour. If you want to make this, you will need to buy the bagoong already prepared from your local market.
- Tocino de leche – Tocino de leche is made out of cottage cheese, milk, sugar, eggs, lemon juice and salt. You can add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter taste.
- Pina Colada Misua – Pina coladas are sweet coconut drinks which can be found at any local grocery store. To make pina coladas for misua, cut up fresh pineapple and mix it with ice cubes and rum.
- Chicken Misua – Chicken Misua is very easy to prepare because you just boil chicken pieces then toss them in breadcrumbs before frying.
- Egg Misua – Egg Misua is actually eggless but it still tastes great! Just scramble an egg with tomatoes and basil leaves and top it off with crispy onions on top.
- Fried Rice Misua – Fried Rice Misua tastes amazing and so filling! Make sure that you use enough oil when frying the rice otherwise you will get dry rice.
- Chili Misua – Chili Misua is not only spicy but also extremely flavorful. Mix ground beef with chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, coriander, oregano, bay leaf and black pepper. Add water, tomato paste, soy sauce, vinegar and white wine and let cook until thickened.
- Halo-halo – Halo halo literally means mixed fruits or mixed food. It is basically a dessert consisting of different fruit flavors such as banana ketchup, mango, strawberry, etc. For misua version, simply replace fruits with meatballs and serve with ice cream.
Other common misua recipes
- Sinaloan Misua – Sinaloa is a Mexican cuisine where the main ingredient is pork. In this case, the pork meatball is seasoned with paprika, cumin, garlic, onion, oregano, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, mace, thyme, cardamon and bay leaf. The meatballs are coated with cornmeal and deep fried until crisp.
- Karaoke Misua – Karaoke Misua is a combination of two popular desserts in the Philippines: Jellied Mango and Banana Cake. When making karaoke misua, combine both jello and cake together along with coconut milk and crushed ice. Garnish with coconut flakes and whipped cream!
- Ginataang Putus – Ginataan Putus is a type of puto that uses mashed ripe plantains instead of rice. Instead of putting puto masala and meat balls inside of the puto, you would put the meatballs inside of the plantain mash.
How Can Misua Be Served?
The best way to enjoy this delicacy is by eating it from the right vessel.
Misua should only be eaten out of clay bowls which have been used previously and were washed thoroughly before being used again.
The reason behind using these vessels is because they provide an ideal environment for the rice to absorb all the flavors of the other ingredients inside.
It’s important to remember that you shouldn’t use any metal utensils when preparing misua.
Instead, wooden spoons are recommended since they don’t get hot like metal ones do.
Another thing worth noting is that you shouldn’t put your hands directly on the food while cooking it.
Doing so will ruin its taste.
Misa de gallina
This type of misua is made with chicken meat instead of pork.
It has a very distinct flavor compared to others but still tastes good if prepared correctly.
You may serve it as a main course for dinner, although some people prefer having just half of the amount of chicken meat than the usual serving size.
You can make this dish when you want to eat something light yet filling.
Just add in a bit more water depending on how much rice you want to cook.
Tinola
If you’re looking for something similar to misua then tinola might be what you need.
Tinolang manok is a variation of misua where duck meat replaces the pork.
One big difference between them is that tinola doesn’t contain any eggs unlike misua.
Like misua, tinola is usually served as a side dish but it can also be used as a main meal.
To prepare tinola, you must first boil the meat until tender and remove it from the pot.
Once removed, let it cool down completely before slicing it up.
Add in the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Then pour the mixture onto a plate, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Pata de pollo
Chicken patas is another version of misua where you replace the pork with the same vegetable ingredient.
It’s considered healthier than regular misua since it contains less fat content.
To cook it, first place all the ingredients except the coconut milk inside a large pan.
Cover it with aluminum foil and simmer over medium heat until everything becomes soft.
After about 20 minutes, take off the aluminum foil and stir it well.
Then transfer the contents into a bowl, add in the coconut milk and mix well.
What Are Some Tips For Making A Perfect Misua Dish?
The ingredients used to make this delicacy include coconut milk, beef and pork bloods, dried shrimp, eggs, garlic, onions, ginger, lemongrass leaves, shallots, tamarind paste, chilies, cilantro, rice flour, salt, pepper, sugar, and vinegar.
The dish may also contain fish sauce, soy sauce, calamansi juice, lime juice, and chili flakes.
It’s not just an ordinary bread but it has its own unique taste from each region where it’s made.
In fact, every family has their own special recipes for misua which they have been passing down through generations so you should expect different flavors depending on your local area.
Here are some easy-to-follow steps to help you prepare misua at home:
- Gather all the necessary ingredients needed for the dish.
- Add them together then combine well using a mortar and pestle or a blender.
- Allow the mixture to cool before pouring it onto a pan.
- After letting the dough set up for about 10 minutes, cut out small pieces to form balls.
- Bake the misua at 200 degrees Celsius until golden brown.
- Serve misua warm with butter and lemon slices.
- Enjoy!
Are There Any Precautions To Take When Eating Misua?
The misua has been around since the Spanish period and it was first introduced by the Spaniards who brought their culture with them.
It is made from bread dough and served as an appetizer and snack food.
The typical ingredients used include egg, milk, sugar, salt, coconut oil, butter, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and cheese.
It can be prepared using different types of breads such as baguette, brioche, challah, pita, etc. Misua is usually cooked in a wood-fired oven which gives it its distinctive taste.
If you want to make your own misua, here are some steps on how you can do so:
- Ingredients: You will need 1 cup of water, 3 tablespoons of milk, 2 eggs, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of melted butter, 1 cup of all purpose flour, two teaspoons of ground cinnamon, ¾ teaspoon of nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Preparation: Mix all the ingredients together until they form a dough. Then divide the mixture into three parts and shape each part into balls.
- Baking: Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes.
- Optional: You may add chocolate chips to the mix if you like.
Ingredients
- 3 medium patola
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 cups water
- 2 ounces miswa noodles
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- The patola should be cut in half and thrown away. Peel the skin using a vegetable peeler. The peeled gourd should be cut into slices that are about 1/4 inch thick.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the onions and garlic are tender, add them.
- Cook the pork, breaking it up with the back of a spoon, until it is just beginning to brown.
- For another 1 to 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally, add fish sauce.
- When bringing water to a boil, add it and skim off any scum that may float to the top.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until meat is tender.
- Add the patola and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until crisp and tender.
- Miswa noodles should be added and cooked for one to two minutes, or until soft.
- To taste, add salt and pepper to the food. Serve warm.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.