Next to my room, my favorite part of the house is the kitchen.
I just got back from a quick trip in Fukuoka, and mom and I are back at cooking in the kitchen. We always spend the Holidays at home and innovate new recipes.
This time around, we tried incorporating U.S. Pulses to one of our favorite comfort meals – Menudo. 

Menudo is a Spanish-influenced recipe that is popular in the Philippines. It is a dish with pork, liver, potatoes cooked in a hearty stew of tomato sauce and soy sauce. 

We decided to add more vegetables in our Menudo recipe to make it healthier. Mom and I chose carrots and U.S. Pulse. There are many choices for U.S. Pulses that give a distinct flavor and texture.
If you want to be experimental with your recipes, you must remember that black beans are well-suited to Latin American, Caribbean, and Southwestern U.S. dishes, while garbanzo beans (chickpeas) are especially popular in many Middle Eastern and Indian dishes.

Canned Garbanzos or Chickpeas are also available in the market
You can check out this link to familiarize yourself with US Pulses available in the Philippines. 

Chickpeas are a good choice, especially that it gives a good taste and crunch to the Menudo recipe. I love its nutty flavor that compliments the sweet-sour taste of Menudo sauce.

Chickpeas are packed with plant-based protein and fiber making it ideal for managing weight and digestion. It also helps in supporting blood sugar control (perfect for mom who is diabetic). It reduces the risks of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. I really like that it has a moderate amount of calories.

Sharing the recipe of our hearty Menudo:

1 kg pork meat – sliced
1/4 kg liver – sliced
4 pcs potatoes – diced
garlic
onions
red bell pepper
1 pack tomato sauce
soy sauce
2 carrots – diced
1 cup chickpeas – cooked and skinned
8 pcs quail eggs
salt and pepper to taste

1. First, cook pork and liver in soy sauce over low heat.

2. While cooking the meat,  prepare the chickpeas. Soak, cook and remove the skin.

3. Sautee garlic and onions, then fry diced potatoes in the same pan. This ensures that the potatoes are fully cooked.

4. Add the sauteed potatoes with the meat. Add the tomato sauce, carrots, red bell pepper, and chickpeas. Cook and let it simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Before serving, add quail eggs.

I love how our Menudo looks more colorful and healthier.
The chickpeas give a nice nutty flavor and a good crunch.

Do you guys have any holiday recipes that use U.S. pulses?
Join the contest hosted by the Pulses Association of the Philippines.
Check out the mechanics here: https://www.facebook.com/PulseAssociationofthePhilippines

Visit https://pulses.asia for more information about US Pulses, benefits and recipes.