Recipe: Spicy Lemon Bothered Chicken

Wondering why it's a Bothered Chicken ? Well, when I was planning my birthday party last 2011, the original plan was only to make a spaghetti and shrimp. But my friends kept insisting me to cook a Buttered Chicken too. But I don't wanna bother the chicken and I don't really know how to cook it. Although I have eaten some different buttered chicken in different restaurants so I kinda know what the possible ingredients are. So to my frustration and to get it over with, I researched about it over the internet and got some advice with a few of my office mates. So here is the recipe that I come up with. Originally it was not supposed to be Spicy, but my mom bought a regular and a spicy breading, so I worked with what I have.

For a 1 kilo of serving you'll need:

• 1 kilo of chicken legs or wings (this part of the chicken has more chicken flavor and able to absorb more flavor)
• 1 or 2 lemons (if a lemon is not available or too expensive, you can use calamansi about 8 to 12 pieces of it and probably add 3 more for later use)
• breadings - spicy and regular or just spicy if you want it hot
• butter (you choice of brand)
• salt and pepper
• oil for deep frying

Way to cook it:

1. First you will need to marinate the chicken for about a few hours, better if over night. Make sure  to wash the chicken thoroughly first before marinating it with 1 and 1/2 lemon juice or calamansi juice. (save the half slice lemon for later use) Sprinkle some salt and pepper then toss it all together until each chicken is coated. Cover it with a plastic wrap or foil then put it inside the fridge.
2. Once the chicken is properly marinated. You can mix the chicken with the breading you have prepared. In a resealable plastic bag, put the breading inside it and shake the bag until it is well mixed. Then add a about 3 to 4 pieces of chicken inside it then shake it until it has even coating. Repeat this until you have covered all the chicken.
3. In a frying pan, heat an oil that is enough to cover the chicken for deep frying.
4. Once the oil is heated up, fry at least 3 pieces of chicken per batch until it is golden brown. Repeat the procedure until all the chicken is cooked.
5. After all the chicken has been cooked, in a separate pan. Melt about 2 tablespoon of butter in a low heat. Once the butter is melted squeeze about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in the pan then stir it. Toss 3 pieces of cooked chicken in it and cook it for about 3 to 5 mins to let it absorb the flavor. Make sure not to over crowd the pan because you won't have enough room to roll the chicken around the sauce. Continue doing this until all the chicken is coated with butter.
6. For extra sauce, you can repeat the same procedure and pour it over the chickens.

Tada!!!!! Spicy Lemon Bothered Chicken. Serve it while it's hot.

Cold Pie with a Warm Touch

Sunrise in Sagada

Visiting Sagada in Mountain Province definetly started my year the way I want it to be. Full of adventure and people that will bring me inspiration. Foods that I will always remember that nowhere else can be found. Kimi told me about their popular "Lemon Pie". I told her that I'm not fan of any kinds of Lemon but I said I'll still try it. With days of hiking, climbing and lot's of walking. On our third day we finally had the time to look for it. We looked for every souvenir shop who might be selling a lemon pie but we cannot find any. And since it is our third day, It was with a heavy heart to admit that we were leaving the wonderful place of Sagada. On our way to the bus terminal, I was thinking what food to bring for my officemates and lemon pie would have been perfect. So, we arrived at around 10 AM in the terminal and the conductor informed us that the bus will be leaving later at 1pm. So it means we have a lot more time to reminisce and look around the municipal. I asked them if they want ice cream because I remember Awingan eating a drumstick after our tour. Inside their cooperative store, I saw this pies sitting inside a windowed cabinet then I ask if that was their lemon pie. They said yes and the other is an "orange pie". I said to myself, perfect. Because with all the oranges around Sagada, for sure they have some specialty made out of it.

Lemon Pie

So I told Kimi that they have some lemon and orange pies. I ordered a slice of lemon because were not sure how it will taste. (it's kinda like a taste test.) I took a bite, it was exactly what I thought it would taste. Like lemon. (means sour). The yellow filling is the lemon custartd, the white one is a soft meringue. All in all it was okay, but for me who isn't a fan of lemon, a taste would be enough. My mom took a bite too then had the same reaction. Kimi on the other hand who loves sour and everything else. Enjoyed eating the rest of the pie. After tasting it, I immediately ordered the orange one. I took a bite, had a funny face (just to tease my mom), and said that it tasted like orange. 

Orange Pie

With a bitter, orangey taste, it is something I could definetly enjoy eating. My mom took a bite then made an icky funny taste. LOL. Kimi tasted it and said the she likes the lemon better. I said I like these one.  The yellow custartd is the orange flavored one, and the white is also a soft meringue.

If you're planning to visit Sagada, make sure you taste there hometown foods. I also had a chance to taste their home town dish which is Pinikpikan, but for I now I wouldn't make any comment about that because I haven't tasted the authentic one yet.