Suam na Mais
While the summer heat is still high in our skies, there’s no denying that the gloomy and rainy season is imminent upon us. From looking for recipes to beat the heat, we’ll soon be turning to those that can keep us warm on chilly days. In Filipino cuisine, these dishes usually take the form of…
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While the summer heat is still high in our skies, there’s no denying that the gloomy and rainy season is imminent upon us. From looking for recipes to beat the heat, we’ll soon be turning to those that can keep us warm on chilly days. In Filipino cuisine, these dishes usually take the form of soups and stews, of which we have plenty. Despite our generally tropical climate, our food is just the key to warming up on cold days — even when we don’t have many of them. When they come, though, we certainly have to take advantage, with dishes like this tasty and comforting suam na mais!
For many of us, corn is the image of duality. On one hand, it’s the bright yellow food we snack on during summery days. But on the other hand, it’s the perfect ingredient for hearty soups that will make you go “ah” with each satisfying slurp! This suam na mais is no different. You and your loved ones will definitely appreciate the way the soup brims with that sweet, tasty corn flavor. Coupled with hot pepper leaves or spinach and other ingredients, this is a dish you don’t want to miss!
Suam na Mais vs. Crab and Corn Soup
Corn soups come in many different forms, and are turned to by home cooks looking for easy to make delicacies. In fact, they’re so common that a lot of corn soups have been given a canned form; you can buy them at your local supermarket, bring them home, pour it into a pot and heat until ready to savor. One such example of this is the classic crab and corn soup! A delicious soup with origins in American-Chinese cuisine, crab and corn soup consists of corn, egg whites, and crabmeat or imitation crab meat. Some Filipinos also refer to this soup as sopang mais. The mix of sweet crab and corn with the creamy egg makes each bite of this dish rich and enjoyable.
Suam na mais is just like crab and corn soup — but made even better! To start, we must note that the base of today’s recipes is, in fact, Knorr Crab and Corn Soup. We take this already creamy and hearty broth and make it tastier with the addition of other ingredients. From nutritious spinach, filling ground pork and shrimp, to actual white corn kernels, suam na mais is like giving your crab and corn soup an upgrade. And while we know that the saying “it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” why stop now when you can make it even better?
Other Soup Recipes
If you choose not to use ground pork or shrimp, you can opt for chicken in this classic corn and chicken soup. The delicious, thick broth is incomplete without chicken stock that gives it an extra deep flavor, and seasonings like soy sauce and sesame oil for even more dynamicity. A gorgeous mix of salty, sweet, and savory awaits you when you follow this simple but tasty recipe!
Do you like your soup a little creamier? Adding delectable quail eggs to a rich corn soup will definitely do the trick! Similar to an egg drop soup, this corn soup with quail eggs can work as a hearty breakfast or even a light but delicious lunch. It’s got a mix of sweet corn, chicken broth, and green onions that add to the depth of flavor; definitely not a one-note recipe! Like suam na mais, this easy to make dish is great for novice cooks who want something simple but still tasty on lazy days.
Chowder is a soup made thicker due to the presence of milk or cream. For those who want a richer, smoother consistency to their soup, it’s chowder they most often turn to. This kind of soup can take the shape of clam chowders, fish chowders — and, of course, corn chowder! Sweet and delicious like your suam na mais, corn chowder slides down your stomach ever satisfactorily. You can even opt to go the extra mile and serve it in a bread bowl! With prosciutto and cheese to boot, kids will surely fall in love with this easy to enjoy recipe.
How to Cook Suam na Mais
Prepare your corn and proteins
In a cooking pot, heat three tablespoons of cooking oil, and sauté your garlic and onions. Once the latter softens, add in 4 ounces of ground pork. The goal is to get a nice light to medium brown hue on your meat, so be sure to sauté it for about 2 minutes. Next, add your white corn, and cook that for 3 minutes more.
Once you’ve cooked your suam na mais’s pork and corn, add 8 ounces of chopped shrimp. Cook this for about a minute.
Make your hearty and delicious broth
In another bowl, meanwhile, combine your Knorr Crab and Corn Soup with four cups of water. Mix this well because pouring it into the cooking pot. Stir and bring it to a boil, then continue to cook your suam mais for about 3 minutes. Don’t raise your heat above a low or medium setting; the goal is to cook this as slow and thoroughly as possible!
Final touches and service
The last step in your suam na mais is to add your hot pepper leaves or spinach. Then, season with ground white pepper and fish sauce to taste. Just like that, your dish is finally ready!
Transfer your suam na mais to a bowl, and serve it with rice or even with a fried pork chop! The contrast of hearty, crunchy pork and sweet, filling suam na mais surely makes for a perfect pair.
Did you make this suam na mais recipe? Let us know what you think!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!
Suam na Mais
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat oil in a cooking pot. Sauté garlic and onion.
- Once the onion softens, add the ground pork. Sauté It for 2 minutes or until the exterior turns light to medium brown in color.
- Add the white corn. Cook it for 3 minutes.
- Put the shrimp into the cooking pot. Sauté it for 1 minute.
- Combine Knorr Crab and Corn Soup with water. Mix well. Pour the mixture into the cooking pot. Stir and let it boil. Continue cooking in low to medium heat setting for 3 minutes while stirring.
- Add the hot pepper leaves or spinach and season with ground white pepper and fish sauce.
- Serve hot with rice and pair it with fried pork chop.
- Share and enjoy!
Video
Diana Ng says
Hi ! Sir Vanjo , what is the recipe in Pork chop Brine Solution ? In your cooking video of Suam na mais
Advance Thank you po .
Nenita Crisolo says
I live in WA and I’ve been to a lot of stores looking for a Corn and crab soup mix but couldn’t find any