Chicken Afritada

Yesterday I woke up thinking of this one dish I ate a couple of years ago. Remembering that my dad was buying fresh kampung chicken from the market that morning, I decided to put that memory and crave into action.

This is a Filipino delicacy, often anticipated during potlucks, all thanks to my Filipino friends from church. There are numerous recipes to this simple dish, but here are the main ingredients.

Chicken Afritada mainly consists of:
Chicken or Pork
Garlic & Onions
Carrots
Potatoes
Bell Peppers
Tomato Paste /  Sauce

Most recipes use fish sauce, but I left that one out. And some use pickles for the sour tinge.

As I was preparing my chicken whilst having the recipe on my computer screen, my very curious nephew unplugged my cable. So with that I prepared it my way.

1. For most of my cookings, I use as much onions and garlic as I like. I added some chopped fresh tomatoes and thinly sliced celery, and stir fry along with the onion and garlic. Ps/ olive oil does not deter the tastiness of your food!
2. My chicken was sauteed beforehand with some salt. Put the chicken in and stir fry till half cooked.
3. I then added some tomato sauce, I dont have the tbs amount but see that this is for a thick paste. Then pour in some water. The meat will be left to cook for sometime so the water will be absorbed, don't worry if it looks disgusting at this moment. I know I was.
4. Put in the cubed potatoes, carrots and bell peppers. Now for my tinge of sourness, I added some mustard instead! I used my instincts and trust me! The water level shouldn't be any higher than the rest, so you need stirring.
5. Now this dish is meant to be pepperish, so add as much black pepper as you like! Since I have a nephew food critic, I had to cut down on that. And of course, don't forget the salt.
6. Close it and let it boil for bout 15 minutes, for the potato to cook, stirring it every once in a while. And that's it.

By the time it is done, you won't be able to see the tomatoes as it is melted into the aromatic puree.

As I was cooking and tasting it while it was boiling, it tasted like crap! But do not be discouraged, and again I know I was, because the flavors are yet to seep in. I afterwards left the dish alone with slight anxiety, till it was dinner time.

And voila! It was excellente! I am not boasting or anything, okay I am boasting, I was very impressed! And before I told my dad what dish was it, he said it looked & smelled like the Fillipino dish I meant it to be. He tried it and said it was delicious! Now when daddy likes my food, none of ya'lls opinion matter.

So there you go, Chicken Afri-Tada!

I shall be trying Beef Bourguignon this evening, wish me luck!