Skip to main content

Labanos ( Radish ) Atsara








There could be a 1001 ways to make atsara and with the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables around, the possibilities are just limited by one's gastronomic imagination.


From the popular papaya and bamboo shoots atsara to ampalaya and ubod little known dampalit (a weed), this Filipino pickle relish makes fried and grilled food tastes even better.



Let's prepare a simple Radish (Labanos) Atsara

INGREDIENTS
  • 3 pcs. medium size radish, washed and peeled
  • 1 piece ripe tomato, sliced
  • 1 piece medium size white onion, chopped
  • 1 cup white cane vinegar, adjustable
  • 1 cup - white sugar, adjustable
  • 4 stems onion leaves, chopped, adjustable
  • 1/2 cup coarse salt
  • White pepper, optional




How to make Labanos Atsara
  1. In a bowl, grate the radish and sprinkle with salt. Mix well and set aside for around 30 minutes. 
  2. When done, squeeze the radish to get rid of its the juices. Rinse with water.
  3. In a bowl, mix vinegar and sugar. Make adjustments to suit your taste through the amount of sugar and/or vinegar vinegar.
  4. Add radish, tomatoes, white onions and onion leaves. 
  5. Make final flavor adjustments. You may season with white pepper.
  6. Place in a container and refrigerate overnight for best taste results.
  7. Serve as appetizer or side dish for fried and grilled foods.



The measurements in this recipe are just guides. Do some actual tasting and tweak the recipe to your liking.


Sliced Radish Atsara with Fried Dilis


You may slice the radish instead of grating it for a more pickled appearance. You may also add carrots, pineapples, bellpeppers and ginger to for flavor and visuals. Just as long as you love the taste of the vegetables.

Enjoy and happy eating!

Popular posts from this blog

Valenciana

Ilonggos really love valenciana because most if not all have grown accustomed of having it in almost all occasions like fiesta, brithdays, reunions and all other occasions thus I love calling it as the "occasional dish".   Basically, " go, grow and glow " dish, it has the carbohydrates, protein and vitamins and minerals in just one spoonful. And it can come in its simplest form with just malagkit rice, pork, chorizo and bell peppers to some fancy with additions like raisins, peas, chicken, hardboiled egg (just garnish though), etc.  Here's the recipe for Valenciana Ingredients 3 cups Glutinous Rice ( malagkit ) 2 cups Pork, sliced 1 cup Pork, Beef or Chicken  Liver, sliced 2-3 pieces Chinese sausage, sliced 2-3 large red bell peppers, sliced lengthwise 1 cup Green Peas 3 small boxes Raisins 2 pcs.Onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, crushed salt and ground pepper to taste  2 pcs. pork/chicken bouillon/broth cube

Native Bibingka

There are two types of bingka I've grown up with. First is the flat and "coconutty" ( with lots of buko strips) bingka made famous by the bingkahans in the plazas of Iloilo City especially in Molo and Jaro plus Plaza Libertad. But the most famous is the one in Mohon, Arevalo which gave birth to the popular bingka sa Mohon. Flat bingka from Mohon And second is the one closer to home, in my hometown which before only appears during Semana Santa but now almost year round. This is what we refer to a puto-bingka as it looks and taste like toasted puto. Here's a sample recipe of this Puto-Bingka

Laswa

Mention laswa  and a merry mix of vegetables would come to mind. This is a perfect "realization" of the Filipino folk song "Bahay Kubo" which narrates an abundance of vegetables beside the traditional Filipino hut. Laswa has no definite list of ingredients nor way or cooking as it is just "stewing" available vegetables, not only from the garden, but what's inside your fridge or you bought from the market. It ranges from the simple all vegetable dish to ones having seafood like shrimps, crabs and more. But in the end it all boils ( pun intended ) down to what you prefer at the same time, what is available. Here's a simple recipe for Laswa