Discover the comforting flavors of Tinola, a traditional Filipino chicken soup infused with ginger, garlic, and either green papaya or chayote. This hearty soup is seasoned with fish sauce and pepper leaves, creating a delicious and nutritious meal that's perfect for any occasion.

Here's a recipe for Tinola, a Filipino chicken soup with ginger, garlic, and either green papaya or chayote, flavored with fish sauce and pepper leaves:

Ingredients:

  - 1 whole chicken, cut into serving pieces

  - 1 onion, chopped

  - 3 cloves garlic, minced

  - 1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced thinly

  - 1 green papaya or chayote, peeled, seeds removed, and cut into chunks

  - 2 tablespoons fish sauce

  - 6 cups water

  - Salt and pepper to taste

  - 2 cups spinach or pepper leaves

Instructions:

1- In a large pot, sauté the onions, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.

2- Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned.

3- Pour in the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is almost tender.

4- Add the green papaya or chayote and cook for another 5 minutes or until tender.

5- Stir in the fish sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.

6- Add the spinach or pepper leaves and cook for another minute.

7- Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of Tinola!

Nutritional Values:

Here's the approximate nutritional information for the main ingredients in Tinola, per 100g:

Chicken:

  - Calories: 239 kcal

  - Protein: 27.3g

  - Fat: 14g

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Fiber: 0g

  - Sugars: 0g

benefits: Rich in protein, chicken helps in building and repairing tissues, supports immune function, and is a good source of vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, which are important for energy metabolism.

Green Papaya:

  - Calories: 43 kcal

  - Protein: 0.5g

  - Fat: 0.3g

  - Carbohydrates: 10.8g

  - Fiber: 1.7g

  - Sugars: 5.8g

benefits: Contains enzymes like papain, which aids in digestion and may help reduce bloating and constipation. It's also rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which are antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage.

Chayote:

  - Calories: 19 kcal

  - Protein: 0.8g

  - Fat: 0.1g

  - Carbohydrates: 4.5g

  - Fiber: 2g

  - Sugars: 1.8g

benefits: Low in calories and high in fiber, chayote can aid in digestion and help maintain a healthy weight. It's also a good source of vitamins C and B6, which are important for immune function and metabolism.

Ginger:

  - Calories: 80 kcal

  - Protein: 1.8g

  - Fat: 0.8g

  - Carbohydrates: 17.8g

  - Fiber: 2g

  - Sugars: 1.7g

benefits: Known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, ginger may help reduce inflammation, relieve nausea, and improve digestion. It's also been studied for its potential anti-cancer effects.

Garlic:

  - Calories: 149 kcal

  - Protein: 6.4g

  - Fat: 0.5g

  - Carbohydrates: 33g

  - Fiber: 2.1g

  - Sugars: 1g

benefits: Garlic is known for its immune-boosting properties and may help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It also contains antioxidants that can help protect against cell damage.

Fish Sauce:

  - Calories: 20 kcal

  - Protein: 4g

  - Fat: 0g

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Fiber: 0g

  - Sugars: 0g

benefits: While fish sauce is mainly used for flavoring, it also contains protein and minerals like iodine, which is important for thyroid function.

Spinach:

  - Calories: 23 kcal

  - Protein: 2.9g

  - Fat: 0.4g

  - Carbohydrates: 3.6g

  - Fiber: 2.2g

  - Sugars: 0.4g

benefits: Spinach is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like iron and calcium. It's low in calories but high in antioxidants, which can help protect against chronic diseases.

Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on factors such as cooking methods and specific ingredients used.