Betamax Recipe
Beyond the beautiful islands and gorgeous natural landmarks, street food contributes to the bright and bustling Philippines. Markets are full of different appetizing delights, and street vendors line every corner with filling snacks. From the humble fish ball to other grilled meats, both locals and tourists come to try the different offerings available. Depending on…
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Beyond the beautiful islands and gorgeous natural landmarks, street food contributes to the bright and bustling Philippines. Markets are full of different appetizing delights, and street vendors line every corner with filling snacks. From the humble fish ball to other grilled meats, both locals and tourists come to try the different offerings available. Depending on your bravery, there are some dishes that require a little more courage than others. Regardless, the tenacity pays off, because these dishes are absolutely delicious. Take a look, for instance, at this insanely yummy Betamax recipe!
Are you a 70s to 90s kid? The term Betamax, then, may not be all too foreign. Back before everything was digital and easily available on the Internet, cassette tapes were all the rage when it came to viewing and recording content. Betamax was created in 1975, and is a tape video that many used to record videos. Sony stopped producing this rectangular model in 2015, but its legacy surely lives on. However, no one would have imagined that it would live on in the Filipino street food scene!
So what is the Betamax in this betamax recipe?
Simply put, betamax as a street food gets its name from the tape it resembles. But trust us; this is definitely not the same tape you use for your movies! Chewy and compact, betamax is a popular street food that you can find almost anywhere in the country. This tasty treat has a rich and savory taste — and its main ingredient is none other than pork or chicken blood!
That’s right; blood is the star of this betamax recipe! Cubes of coagulated chicken blood lend to the dish’s tender and juicy texture. Some of you might already find yourselves hesitant to try this dish, knowing what it’s made of. But don’t knock it until you try it! One bite of betamax and you’re sure to want even more!
But really? Blood?
Actually, cooking blood and using it as the main ingredient in dishes isn’t as uncommon as you might think. Many cultures — not just ours — have used and consumed blood as food. Whether in the form of blood sausages or as a thickener for sauce, blood is full of protein which, when cleaned, can be used for human consumption.
In the Philippines alone, we use blood in a variety of ways in our food. Apart from this betamax recipe, blood is common in another popular dish: dinuguan! Spicy and savory, this filling meal pairs well with puto, or sticky rice cakes. Another dish from the Visayas, bas-uy, is made even thicker and richer with the presence of blood. Sometimes, we even dip our favorite crispy bagnet in pig’s blood! So, to use blood in this betamax recipe isn’t all too surprising — nor new — a concept.
And it isn’t just blood! Other organs play an integral role in some of the most classic street foods in our country. Just think about isaw, or even any way we use gizzards! Filipinos definitely know how not to let any part of an animal go to waste, and turn it into something truly delicious.
Now let’s get to it! Follow me as we go through this betamax recipe together.
Cut your chicken blood into cubes, then arrange them in a cooking pot. Combining soy sauce, vinegar, and water, bring your mix to a boil. Then, baste the blood with the mixture. To baste, pour the mixture onto the blood by gently scooping it with a spoon. This will give your dish more flavor without being too overpowering! Garlic powder, ground black pepper, and your Knorr Chicken Cube go in after. Cook this combination for 5 minutes, so as to let your chicken blood cubes soak up the taste. Transfer your chicken blood without the sauce to a clean plate, where it can cool down. Gently skewer your betamax with a bamboo stick.
The next step in your betamax recipe is to brush garlic oil all over your cubes. Arrange your betamax in an air fryer, where you’ll cook it for 5 minutes per side at 200 degrees Celsius. Cooking in an air fryer reduces the oiliness and greasiness of your betamax, making it slightly healthier.
While it’s cooking, you have to prepare your sauce. After all, what would a betamax recipe be without your dipping sauce? Combine soy sauce, vinegar, fish sauce, and chili peppers together. Garlic, onion, and salt and pepper go in, too; stir all these ingredients together until you’ve blended them thoroughly.
When your timer is up, take your betamax out of the air fryer, and serve it with your dipping sauce. Spicy and piquant and savory all at once, you’re in for a treat! Share and enjoy this classic street food with your loved ones. Let us know what you and they think of this betamax recipe!
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!
Betamax Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. coagulated chicken blood
- 1 Knorr Chicken cube
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 3/4 cup water
- ¼ cup garlic oil
Dipping sauce ingredients:
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
Instructions
- Cut the chicken blood into cubes.
- Arrange the cubed blood in a cooking pot. Add soy sauce, vinegar, and water. Let boil. Baste the blood with the mixture (pour the mixture onto the blood by gently scooping with a spoon).
- Add garlic powder, ground black pepper, and Knorr Chicken Cube. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the chicken blood (without the sauce) to a clean plate. Let it cool down. Gently skewer using a bamboo stick.
- Brush garlic oil all over. Arrange in an air fryer. Cook for 5 minutes per side at 200 degrees Celsius.
- Make the dipping sauce by combining all the dipping sauce ingredients. Stir until well blended.
- Serve the Betamax along with the spicy dipping sauce.
- Share and enjoy!
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