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FILIPINO MACARONI SALAD

FILIPINO MACARONI SALAD PIC1© BUSOG! SARAP! 2012

When Mr. H and I dated in the Philippines, I always dragged him to Tropical Hut for Burgers and Macaroni Salad before watching a movie to take inside the cinema.  I love Tropical Hut’s little tubs of Macaroni Salad, it has this right melody of creaminess, sweetness and saltiness.  But my love for Filipino Macaroni Salad didn’t start there, I grew up with this pasta salad in the 70’s, 80’s and up until now am still fond of this cold pasta dish…. I can say we’re old BFF’s.

You can’t have a Filipino gathering or family outing without this pasta salad and it’s another easy dish to assemble.  Great for Christmas family parties and if you’re experiencing summer during Christmas like the TRIBE do, this Filipino Macaroni Salad goes great as a side dish for burgers or barbequed meats.

 

FILIPINO MACARONI SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

2 slices of pineapple rings, cut into small chunks

1/3 cup finely diced carrots

1 tbspn pickle relish

1/2 cup diced cheddar cheese, mini bite size pcs.

40g sultanas or raisins

470g mayonnaise

good pinch of salt & pepper

 

300g chicken breast

1 bay leaf

2-3 whole peppercorns

250g elbow pasta

*used U.S Measuring Cups & Spoons

FILIPINO MACARONI SALAD INGREDIENTS© BUSOG! SARAP! 2012

 

COOKING & ASSEMBLING PROCEDURE:

~   In a small saucepan, place your chicken breast, bay leaf, peppercorns and cover with enough water.  Bring to boil and lower heat till the water is just simmering.  Let the chicken simmer for 20 minutes (pls. skim the accumulated scum on the surface of the simmering water).  When the chicken is thoroughly cooked, remove from the pot and set it aside to completely cool.  Once it’s cool enough to touch, shred the chicken breast using your fingers by tearing the chicken meat following the grain to get that thin strips.  Place hand shredded chicken meat in a clean bowl, cover with cling wrap and store in the fridge while you prep the rest of the ingredients.

COOKED MACARONI PASTA© BUSOG! SARAP! 2012

~  Get a medium size saucepan and fill it up with water until halfway.  Bring to boil the water before adding in your elbow pasta.  Lower heat until the water is just simmering and cook the pasta for 10 minutes.  Drain the pasta and quickly rinse with cold water under your tap while it’s still in the colander.  Set aside and let the cooked pasta completely cool.

FILIPINO MACARONI SALAD STEP1-4© BUSOG! SARAP! 2012

~  Place your mayonnaise in a large bowl and season it with salt & pepper.  Mix it thoroughly to distribute the seasoning well.

FILIPINO MACARONI SALAD STEP5-8© BUSOG! SARAP! 2012

~  Add in your pineapple chunks, shredded chicken, sultanas/raisins, diced carrots, diced cheddar cheese and pickle relish.  Incorporate well with the mayonnaise and then add in your cooked elbow pasta.  Mix it once more to blend everything well together.  Place your Filipino Macaroni Salad in another clean dry bowl, cover with cling wrap and refrigerate overnight before serving.

FILIPINO MACARONI SALAD PIC2© BUSOG! SARAP! 2012

BEST WITH: Bbq’s and Burgers.

NOTES:

  • You can buy Pickle Relish in Yuen’s and Best Friends.  If you can’t find a jar of Pickle Relish, you can finely diced some drained pickled gherkins but keep in mind pickled gherkins are sourer then the Pickle Relish I’ve used.
  • Don’t overcook your elbow pasta, your pasta should be springy to touch.  You don’t want overcook pasta as it breaks down easily and clumps together, the overall appearance of your dish will look unappetizing.
  • When you season your mayonnaise, taste it first before placing the rest of the ingredients, adjust your seasoning according to your taste.
  • It is highly recommended for this dish to be refrigerate overnight to allow the flavours to develop.
  • Other ingredients you can add:  Chopped boiled eggs and finely diced onion.

16 comments :

  1. Anonymous23.12.12

    I remember when I was I kid. My mom used to make me this salad. I love macaroni salads and thanks for the post. Very nice to see that there are filipinos who are still into their cooking.

    Here is one of the sites that features Filipino Recipes and very nice tips on cooking Filipino Food. http://good-food-recipe.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love truly Pinoy macaroni salad. You make a very good one, Althea. All our favourite ingredients (pickles, cheese, pineapple and raisins) are in it. Yum!

    ReplyDelete
  3. very colorful recipe! it looks scrumptious!

    I'm a new follower, I just discovered your blog and read some of your latest recipes, they're all yummy!

    Michela @ www.cook-alaska.blogspot.it/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mmmm..so yummy!!!..i really love Filipino Macaroni..thanks for the recipe.

    May i know who's the author of this blog?

    Thank you again! ^_^

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting....From Althea C., Brisbane Australia =)

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  5. Wow, i like Macaroni Salad. Thanks for this recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow i love it much this macaroni salad!thanks for this good recipe.
    May i know if i can put fruit cocktail instead of pineapple?<3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's up to you if you want to put fruit cocktail but usually I reserve fruit cocktail for buko salad or fruit salad with condensed milk. With Macaroni Salad its always pineapple bits and raisins are standard norm ingredients =)

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    2. looks too yummy for a salad. Thanks for the recepie

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  7. Anonymous16.9.13

    Thanks for the recipe, a big help for me...im preparing ut fir my birthday!!! So yummy...thanks to the author

    ReplyDelete
  8. This macaroni salad is delicious. I made this last night and it was truly best macaroni salad. I added marinated artichoke hears instead of pickles, sweet onion for red, and chopped up some canned mushrooms, and cheddar cheese. Added artichoke juice and a splash of mushroom juice went heavy on the pepper, and added a can of tuna for good measure. It was awesome. juiceblendz.com.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous30.10.13

    i love macaroni salad..niluluto namin ni nanay ito nung nabubuhay pa xa,and i miss her more thats why im gonna cook it right now..pero naglalagay din kami ng white onions,to add more flavor.. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, white onions are nice addition too sa macaroni salad....if fresh white onions, it gives it that tang. I even use yong small pickled white onions sa jar, they add additional sweetness. Such a nice memory that you have with this dish =)

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  10. irene santiana23.12.13

    Thanks for the recipe

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous24.12.13

    just ask. what happen if i put all ingredients even if the pasta are not completely cooled dow.. pls reply.. first time in cooking....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your cheese bits will melt and your mayonnaise will turn into oil if you mix them with hot pasta.

      Delete

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