Filipino cuisine continues to captivate food enthusiasts with its unique blend of sweet and savory flavors, and one dish that perfectly represents this culinary tradition is Hamonadong Manok. This classic recipe combines tender chicken with a distinctive sweet sauce featuring pineapple and aromatic spices.
Essential Ingredients for Authentic Hamonado
The recipe requires careful preparation of four distinct ingredient sets to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. Set A focuses on the protein foundation with one premium whole chicken and salt for dry brining. This initial step ensures the meat remains moist and well-seasoned throughout the cooking process.
Set B contains the aromatic stuffing ingredients that will infuse the chicken from within: five cloves of crushed garlic, one whole onion sliced, and a thumb-sized piece of ginger cut into thin slices. These traditional Filipino aromatics form the flavor base that characterizes many local dishes.
Creating the Signature Hamonado Sauce
The distinctive hamonado flavor comes from Set C sauce ingredients that create the dish's signature sweet and tangy profile. The combination includes ½ cup vinegar, ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup banana ketchup, 2 cups water, one can of pineapple chunks (reserved for garnish), ¾ cup sugar, and 3 pieces of star anise.
This unique blend of ingredients represents the cultural fusion in Filipino cooking, combining indigenous elements like banana ketchup with Chinese-influenced star anise and Spanish-style sweet-sour sauce preparation.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Begin by preparing the chicken through dry brining - generously rub salt over the entire chicken body and set aside while you prepare other ingredients. This technique helps season the meat thoroughly and improves texture.
Stuff the chicken cavity with the prepared aromatics from Set B: the crushed garlic, sliced onion, and ginger pieces. This internal seasoning method allows flavors to penetrate the meat during the extended cooking process.
Place the chicken in a deep pot and add all Set C sauce ingredients: vinegar, soy sauce, banana ketchup, water, pineapple chunks with juice, sugar, and star anise. Mix everything well to ensure the sugar dissolves and flavors combine properly.
Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 45-50 minutes, adjusting time based on chicken size. Regularly baste the chicken with the sauce during cooking to ensure the flavors thoroughly penetrate the meat.
Final Preparation and Serving
Thicken the sauce by creating a slurry mixture of cornstarch and water until smooth. Add to the pot and stir until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Add the finishing touches from Set D: sliced red bell pepper and remaining pineapple chunks. Season with black pepper to taste and cook for a few additional minutes.
Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and pour the thickened sauce over it. Garnish with the bell pepper and pineapple pieces for a visually appealing presentation that highlights the dish's key ingredients.
This hamonado recipe demonstrates the culinary wisdom passed through generations of Filipino cooks, balancing sweet and savory elements while utilizing locally available ingredients. The cooking method ensures tender, flavorful meat that falls off the bone, making it perfect for family gatherings and special occasions.
