Authentic Filipino Lugaw Recipe: A Comforting Rice Porridge for All Ages

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of jasmine rice
  • 8 cups of chicken broth
  • 1 whole onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1/2 kilogram of chicken, cut into pieces
  • 1 tablespoon of fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced for garnish
  • 3 green onions, finely chopped for garnish
  • Fried garlic, for garnish

Steps and instructions

  1. Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.
  2. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until they become translucent.
  3. Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they turn slightly brown.
  4. Add the rinsed rice to the pot. Stir to combine with the chicken, onion, and garlic.
  5. Add the chicken broth to the pot. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
  6. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  7. Add the fish sauce and ground black pepper. Stir well to combine. Continue simmering the lugaw until the rice is completely cooked and has a porridge-like consistency.
  8. Ladle the lugaw into bowls. Garnish with slices of hard-boiled egg, chopped green onions, and fried garlic before serving.

Tools for making

  • Large pot - Needed to cook the lugaw and hold all the ingredients.
  • Knife - Used to chop the onion and mince the garlic.
  • Cutting board - Provides a surface for chopping and prepping ingredients.
  • Stirring spoon - Essential for stirring the lugaw while it simmers.
  • Ladle - Used to transfer the lugaw from the pot to serving bowls.
  • Bowl - For serving the lugaw.
  • Small saucepan - Used to boil the eggs for garnish.

Recipe variations

  • Vegetarian Lugaw: Replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the chicken. Add extra vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, or peas for added flavor and texture.
  • Seafood Lugaw: Add shrimp, fish, or squid to the lugaw during the cooking process. Make sure to adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure the seafood is cooked through.
  • Beef Lugaw: Substitute the chicken with beef, such as beef cubes or thinly sliced beef. Use beef broth instead of chicken broth for a richer flavor.
  • Pork Lugaw: Replace the chicken with pork, such as pork belly or pork shoulder. You can also use pork broth in place of chicken broth.
  • Egg Lugaw: Make a simple egg drop lugaw by beating a few eggs and slowly drizzling them into the simmering lugaw while stirring continuously. This will create ribbons of cooked eggs throughout the dish.
  • Spicy Lugaw: Add a kick of heat by incorporating chili peppers, chili flakes, or hot sauce to the lugaw. Adjust the amount based on your desired level of spiciness.
  • Vegetable Lugaw: Load up the lugaw with an assortment of vegetables such as carrots, peas, corn, green beans, and bell peppers. This adds color, flavor, and extra nutrients to the dish.
  • Mushroom Lugaw: Use mushroom broth or add sautéed mushrooms to the lugaw for a delicious earthy flavor.

Recipe overview

Lugaw, also known as Filipino rice porridge, is a comforting and hearty dish enjoyed across the Philippines. It's a simple recipe, yet packed with flavors from the combination of chicken, rice, and a medley of savory seasonings. This recipe uses jasmine rice, which when cooked down in chicken broth, creates a soupy and creamy texture, similar to a risotto. The addition of chicken adds a satisfying protein element. Topped off with hard-boiled eggs, green onions, and fried garlic, each bowl of Lugaw is a nourishing meal that can be enjoyed any time of the day. Whether you're looking for a cozy dinner or a warming breakfast, Lugaw is a delicious choice that promises to delight your taste buds.

Common questions

  1. How long does it take to cook lugaw?
    The cooking time for lugaw may vary, but typically it takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour to cook until the rice reaches a porridge-like consistency.
  2. Can I use other types of rice?
    While jasmine rice is traditionally used for lugaw, you can experiment with other types of rice such as glutinous rice or even regular white rice.
  3. Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian version?
    Yes, you can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to make a vegetarian version of lugaw.
  4. Can I add other ingredients to the lugaw?
    Absolutely! Lugaw is a versatile dish, and you can customize it to your preference. Popular additions include shredded chicken, tofu, mushrooms, or even seafood like shrimp or fish.
  5. Can I make lugaw in advance?
    Yes, you can make lugaw in advance. However, note that it tends to thicken as it sits, so you may need to add a bit of hot water or broth when reheating.
  6. What are some common garnishes for lugaw?
    Common garnishes for lugaw include sliced hard-boiled eggs, chopped green onions, fried garlic, and calamansi or lemon wedges.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Large pot - Used to cook the lugaw and hold the ingredients.
  • Knife - Needed to chop the onion and mince the garlic.
  • Cutting board - Provides a surface to safely chop and prepare the ingredients.
  • Wooden spoon - Ideal for stirring and combining the ingredients while cooking.
  • Ladle - Used to transfer the lugaw from the pot to serving bowls.
  • Bowls - Used to serve the finished lugaw.
  • Serving spoons - Used to garnish the lugaw with sliced hard-boiled eggs, chopped green onions, and fried garlic.
  • Measuring cups - Necessary to accurately measure the amount of rice and chicken broth.

Origin stories

Lugaw, a comforting rice porridge, holds a cherished place in Filipino cuisine, tracing its roots back to the Chinese influence in the Philippines. It's akin to the Chinese congee, showcasing the intermingling of cultures through the language of food. This humble dish, often garnished with boiled eggs, chopped green onions, and fried garlic, is known for its simplicity yet fulfilling nature. Whether you're feeling under the weather or simply craving a warm bowl of comfort, Lugaw is a go-to dish in many Filipino households. One popular version of Lugaw is "Arroz Caldo," which translates to "hot rice," a testament to the Spanish influences in Filipino cuisine. Even within the simplicity of Lugaw, the complexity of the Filipino history and cultural identity is beautifully mirrored.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.