Cooking with Community: Chicken Nilaga with Kalabasa!

Embedded Youtube Video

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. skinless chicken thigh cut into serving pieces

• 1 small kalabasa squash peeled and cubed

• 1 bunch baby bok choy

• 1/2 head small cabbage sliced

• 6 cups chicken broth

• 1 small white onion sliced

• 1 tablespoon whole peppercorn

• fish sauce patis to taste

How to Veganize

How to Cook Chicken Nilaga with Kalabasa

1. Clean chicken thighs (I rinse with vinegar and water) and slice into bite size pieces. Set aside. 

   1. You can use any acid to clean your chicken - lemons, lime, apple cider vinegar! 

2. Work on chopping all veggies: dice the onions, slice the squash into cubes, and slice the cabbage. Set aside. 

   1. Squash can be hard to chop! If you have access to a microwave, try heating squash for 5 mins.

   2. Squash contains fiber and many vitamins and minerals. It can also help with skin health, immunity, eye health, and even blood sugar and blood pressure regulation. 

   3. Cabbage is packed with a ton of nutrients that reduces inflammation, improves digestion, manages diabetes, and promotes bone health. 

   4. Bok choy is low in calories but contains antioxidants and vitamins A and C, as well as iron and calcium.

3. Bring your chicken broth to a boil. Add onion, whole peppercorns, and chicken. Cover and boil on medium heat for 30 minutes. Add more water or broth as needed! 

   1. Chicken broth has many nutritional benefits including boosting your immune system, supporting digestive health, and even joint health from the collagen in the chicken bones.

   2. You can use the stovetop and heating plate.

4. Put the squash, cook for 10-15 minutes until softened. 

5. Add the cabbage and cover for 5.

6. Last for vegetables, add the baby bok choy and some fish sauce to taste. Cook for 1 minute.

7. Serve with rice! Garnish can include: green onion, lemon, pepper. 

8. Optional but I love toI make a sauce on the side with 1 tbsp of soy sauce, half a lemon, and half a teaspoon of fish sauce. I pour this over with every bite and it adds a wonderful flavor.

chopped kalabasa squash

chopped spring onions

lemon wedge

bok choy and chopped green cabbage

diced onions and peppercorns

Thank you all so much for trying out one of my favorite soups! I hope you give this recipe a try and if you do, let me know what you think in the comments! 

Please feel free to stop by at any of our Community Produce Stands for fresh, local, and seasonal produce: 

• La Escuelita Elementary School on Tuesdays from 2:00-4:00pm 

• E14th Eatery + Kitchen on Thursdays from 2:00-4:00pm

• West Oakland Public Library on Fridays from 1:00-3:00pm 

Shout Out 🤗

Shout out to Panlasang Pinoy for their Chicken Nilaga recipe and REEM Media for supporting us with the videography!

June recording audio with Cris, REEM Media