The Seafood Alternative

CEBU, Philippines — There’s currently a slight food crisis in the country. Generally just a ‘slight’ problem, but particularly a serious one to pork eaters. The African Swine Fever scare is making pork products scarce.

Pork is an inexpensive meat, but it tastes great and is versatile. And so, it is popular among consumers, especially with homemakers on a budget who still want to serve the family with delicious food as much as possible. But with pork being temporarily out of the food options, it’s time to consider alternatives.

Meat eaters are meat eaters, all right; they will crave for meat. At least there’s still beef – and chicken – to fill in the vacated pork slot. Or, hey, why not consider the seafood alternative? 

Yes, certain seafood mimics the taste and texture of meats. Mussels are an example. And allowing the body to take a break from consuming meat is also a healthful idea. 

Mussels are a good choice for a substitute for pork. These can be made into great hot soup, a timely boost for the cold nights. And mussels are inexpensive and easily available either at the wet market or the supermarket.

There’s a type of mussels that is too common such that people don’t value it much – the “tahong.”  “Tahong” can be cooked in ginger broth to make a great soup dish. The addition of veggies such as “kangkong” or hot pepper leaves along with long green pepper can catapult the dish several notches upward in terms of flavor.

Yes, the dish is similar to a “tinola” – like “tinolang manok,” only that mussels are used instead of chicken. It is simple and easy to cook; it takes less than 30 minutes to complete the “Tinolang Tahong.” Again, it is also inexpensive and the taste is delicious. On the health side, “tahong” is an excellent source of Selenium, vitamin B12, zinc, and folate.

The cooking starts with sautéing onion and garlic along with ginger. These ingredients give the dish a flavorful kick. Sautéing allows the flavors of these ingredients to explode.