5 PINOY COMFORT FOODS DURING THE RAINY SEASON

With rainy days becoming more frequent this June, there are two things we want to do more often—
eat and sleep.

When the rains dampen our clothes and mood, we usually crave for hot, filling dishes that will give us comfort during the gloomy weather.

So, go ahead and indulge in our Top 5 Rainy Day Pinoy comfort food:

1. CHAMPORADO
Nothing beats champorado when the weather gets cold. Both filling and sweet, this chocolate rice porridge is made of glutinous rice mixed with milk and instant cocoa powder or native tablea (pure cocoa blocks). It’s a popular breakfast and meriyenda fare best enjoyed with dried fish.

2. ARROZ CALDO or GOTO
The name arroz caldo is Spanish in origin, which literally means “rice broth”, but the dish actually originated from the Chinese. This rice porridge often served to keep the stomach warm. Because it’s easily digested, it is also served to those feeling under the weather.

Whereas arroz caldo uses chicken, goto uses tripe, beef and internal organs. Meanwhile, lugaw is simply plain rice congee. You will certainly like these warm dishes on a rainy day—or night!

3. BULALO
Bulalo is a tender beef shank soup with the marrow still inside the bone. A very flavorful and rich dish, it is a certified favorite during the rainy season. However, take care in consuming bulalo as it is high in cholesterol and calories.

4. SOPAS
A creamy and hearty soup ideal not just for the cold weather but also for giving relief to common tag-ulan sicknesses such as cough, colds and fever, sopas is made of elbow macaroni, milk, shredded veggies and chicken bits.

5. SINIGANG
Best known for its sour base of tamarind, the preparation of this Filipino soup dish varies per region. It often incorporates any of the following meats: fish pork, shrimp or beef cooked with vegetables like kangkong, okra, tomatoes and radish among others. You’ll be enjoying sipping its balance of salty, sour and spicy while listening to the pitter-patter of rain on your roof.

But if you’re craving a quick fix, dash to the nearest bakery and buy hot pan de sal. Spread with peanut butter, cheese or jam and dunk it in your coffee or hot chocolate drink. There are many delicious ways to keep warm this tag-ulan!