Inubaran facts for kids
| Course | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Region or state | Aklan, Western Visayas |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | chicken, banana pith (ubad) |
Inubaran is a delicious and unique Filipino chicken soup or stew. It's known for its special ingredient: the soft, inner part of a banana plant stem, called ubad. This dish also features creamy coconut milk and a souring agent, giving it a balanced and tasty flavor.
Contents
What is Inubaran?
Inubaran is a traditional dish from the Philippines. It's a type of stew or soup that combines tender chicken pieces with a creamy coconut sauce. The name Inubaran actually means "cooked with ubad." This refers to the banana pith, which is the main special ingredient.
Key Ingredients
The main ingredients that make Inubaran so special are:
- Chicken: Usually cut into serving pieces.
- Banana Pith (Ubad): This is the soft, white inner part of a banana plant's stem. It's not the banana fruit itself! It adds a unique texture and flavor to the dish.
- Coconut Milk: Known as gata or kakang gata (coconut cream) in the Philippines. It makes the soup rich and creamy.
- Souring Agent: This is called aeabihig. Traditionally, people use batuan fruits or libas leaves to make the soup a little bit sour. This sourness balances the richness of the coconut milk.
- Lemongrass: This herb adds a fresh, citrusy smell and taste.
- Spices: Other common spices like ginger, garlic, and onions are also used to build flavor.
Where Does Inubaran Come From?
Inubaran comes from the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is especially popular among the Aklanon people. This group lives in the province of Aklan, which is known for its rich culinary traditions.
Ubad vs. Ubod
It's easy to get ubad (banana pith) mixed up with ubod (palm heart). Both are soft inner parts of plants. However, ubod comes from palm trees, while ubad comes from banana plants. Sometimes, if ubad is hard to find, ubod might be used as a substitute. But the true Inubaran uses ubad.
What is Ginataan?
Inubaran is a type of ginataan dish. Ginataan is a general term in Filipino cooking. It means any dish that is cooked with coconut milk. Many Filipino stews, soups, and even desserts use coconut milk as a main ingredient.
Different Ways to Make Inubaran
While chicken is the most common meat for Inubaran, people sometimes make variations. You might find versions with other types of meat, like pork, or even seafood. This shows how flexible and adaptable Filipino cooking can be!
