Lugaw, also spelled lugao, is a Filipino glutinous rice dish or porridge. Lugaw may refer to various dishes, both savory and sweet. In Visayan regions, savory lugaw are collectively referred to as pospas. Lugaw is widely regarded as a comfort food in the Philippines.[1][2][3]
 Basic lugaw | |
| Alternative names | pospas, lugao |
|---|---|
| Course | Main dish |
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Main ingredients | glutinous rice |
| Variations | arroz caldo, goto |
| Similar dishes | Congee |
History
editAccording to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, lugaw is one of the earliest historically-documented dishes in the Philippines. The Vocabulario de la lengua tagala (1613) by Fr. Pedro de San Buenaventura, defines "logao" (Hispanized as "aroz guisado") as "rice mixed with [coconut] milk or water or of both (porridge)."[4][5]
Description
editLugaw is traditionally made by boiling glutinous rice (Ilocano: diket ;Tagalog: malagkit; Visayan: pilit). Regular white rice may also be used if boiled with excess water. The basic version is sparsely spiced, usually only using salt, garlic, and ginger; or alternatively, sugar. Heartier versions are cooked in chicken, fish, pork or beef broth. It is regarded as a comforting and easy-to-digest food, typically prepared for breakfast and during cold and rainy weather. It is also commonly served to people who are sick or bedridden, and to very young children and the elderly.[6][7]
Lugaw is usually eaten hot or warm, since the gruel congeals if left to cool. It can be reheated by adding a little bit of water.[8][9][10][11] Dessert versions can be eaten cold or even partly frozen.[12]
Variants
editLugaw can be paired or augmented with numerous other dishes and ingredients.
Savory
editMost savory versions of lugaw are derived from or influenced by Chinese-style congee, introduced by Chinese-Filipino migrants. It has diverged over the centuries to use Filipino ingredients and suit the local tastes. Filipino savory lugaw are typically thicker than other Asian congees because they use glutinous rice. They are traditionally served with calamansi, soy sauce (toyo), or fish sauce (patis) as condiments[13][14] Savory lugaw are usually paired with meat or seafood dishes. The most common being tokwa't baboy (cubed tofu and pork).[6][7]
- Arroz caldo – lugaw heavily infused with ginger and garnished with toasted garlic, scallions, and black pepper with a hard-boiled egg. Most versions also add safflower (kasubha) which turns the dish characteristically yellow.[2]
- Goto – lugaw made with goto (tripe) and ginger. It is garnished with toasted garlic, scallions, and black pepper.[14][15] Best served with egg, toasted garlic, and chicharon.[16]
Dessert
editSweet versions of lugaw are more characteristically Filipino. They include:
- Binignit – lugaw made with coconut milk (gata) and various slices of fruit, jelly desserts (like sago, tapioca pearls, kaong, etc.), and root crops (like sweet potato, taro, and ube). It is known by many other regional names, like giná-tan, tabirák, alpahor, ginettaán, ginat-ang lugaw, and kamlo.[12]
- Champorado – lugaw with home-made chocolate and milk. It is a native adaptation of the Mexican drink champurrado. It is traditionally paired with dried fish (tuyo), but can be eaten as is as a dessert.[17]
- Ginataang mais – lugaw made with coconut milk and sweet corn.[18]
- Ginataang munggo – lugaw with toasted mung beans, sugar, and coconut milk. Corn may also be added.[19]
Use as a political symbol
editThe lugaw has been widely associated with the political camp of Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo, originating from her 2016 election campaign during which Robredo's supporters sold the rice porridge as part of a fundraising effort.[20] Robredo's detractors and internet trolls have pejoratively used the tags "Leni Lugaw" or the "Lugaw Queen" after photos of her serving lugaw circulated online.[21] In response, Robredo has since adopted the tag during political events and campaigns, including serving lugaw to attendees of her 2022 Philippine presidential election bid announcement.[22]
See also
editOther Philippine rice cooking techniques:
References
edit- ^ Castro, Jasper. "Here's How To Tell Lugaw, Congee, Goto, and Arroz Caldo From Each Other". Yummy.ph. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ a b Reynaldo G. Alejandro (1985). The Philippine Cookbook. Penguin. p. 38. ISBN 9780399511448.
- ^ Miranda, Pauline (June 13, 2018). "The difference between lugaw, goto, and arroz caldo". Nolisolo. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ Marquez, Consuelo (April 1, 2021). "Lugaw not just food but part of Filipino culture, NCCA says". GMA News. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ Noriega, Richa (April 2, 2021). "'Lugaw' is a PH cultural symbol – NCCA". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Ignacio, Michelle (April 23, 2012). "Lugaw with Tokwa't Baboy: A Pinoy Favorite". Certified Foodies. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ a b Veneracion, Connie. "Lugaw (congee) with tokwa't baboy (tofu and pork)". Casa Veneracion. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ Agbanlog, Liza (February 2017). "Arroz Caldo (Filipino Style Congee)". Salu Salo Recipes. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ "Arroz Caldo". Genius Kitchen. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ "Chicken Arroz Caldo – A Filipino Christmas Rice Porridge". Wishful Chef. December 9, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ Phanomrat, Jen. "Filipino Arroz Caldo". Tastemade. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ a b "Holiday Benignit / Ginataan". Market Manila. January 3, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ Trivedi-Grenier, Leena (February 2, 2018). "Janice Dulce passes along Filipino culture via arroz caldo". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ a b Edgie Polistico (2017). Philippine Food, Cooking, & Dining Dictionary. Anvil Publishing, Incorporated. ISBN 9786214200870.
- ^ "Goto". Kawaling Pinoy. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ "Special Goto Recipe". Panlasang Pinoy. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ Chikiamco, Norma (May 16, 2013). "Quick and easy 'champorado'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ "Ginataang Mais". Kawaling Pinoy. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
- ^ Alvarez, Lhas. "Ginataang Monggo Recipe". Yummy.ph. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
- ^ "Wenceslao: Leni Lugaw". ph.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Take that, trolls! In Batangas, Robredo embraces the 'Leni Lugaw' tag". RAPPLER. January 21, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ Malasig, Jeline (October 7, 2021). "Robredo owns 'Leni Lugaw' tag anew by serving rice porridge to announcement attendees". Interaksyon. Retrieved January 31, 2022.