So what is Pancit? Pancit or Pansit.. is a basic Filipino dish that can be made many ways.. Like Pizza to an Italian.. how many different pizza's have you ever eaten? But there is a basic model to the recipe that makes it a pizza or pancit. Most pancits have chicken/pork with maybe shrimp for the meat, combined with a rice noodle and vegetables. It really is a simple dish just full of flavor. And it is always always.. topped off with lemon juice and soy sauce.
Here is the recipe for the delicious goodness from my early college days. A few of the key ingredients that may not be so typical in your cupboards.. First is the Rice Stick. These are pretty easy to find down the Asian isle and pretty cheap and gluten free. (nice) This time around I bough a linguine style noodle just for kicks. I normally buy the regular spaghetti shaped. In the end I decided I liked both, but the noodles were more prominent with the linguine style.
Next is the Oyster Sauce.. this adds another savory dimension to the dish. And don't worry, it doesn't taste like fish. If you are like me and have a very hard time with the "fishy" taste, you need not fear my friend. No "fishy-ness' going on around here.
And I'm pretty sure I don't need to talk about the lemon and soy sauce, just don't forget those two. They are just yum.
Start out by thinly chopping your cabbage, to make it more of a shredded texture. Slice up a few celery stalks, 3-4. And I buy the pre-shredded carrots.. if you have a tool to shred carrots go for it, if not then the packaged ones work great.
Next chop up your onion and 3 chicken breasts. Saute the chicken, garlic and onion with oil in a wok. (If you don't have a wok, use a very large pot.) When done add in your chicken broth and seasonings. Pile on the veggie wheel (cabbage, carrots and celery). It is going to look huge at this point, but the cabbage cooks down to almost nothing. Bring to boil, cover with lid and then turn down heat and simmer.
Meanwhile, you need to prepare your rice noodles. In a large bowl soak your noodles in very hot water.. for 3-5 min. Once they are softened, drain and add to the chicken and veggies. Toss all together! If there is still broth, allow the noodles to simmer with it and they will absorb the remaining. Serve warm with lemon slices and additional soy sauce.
Serve immediately! Makes a generous amount, good for about 4-5 adults.
Don't forget to top with soy sauce and give each person a lemon slice to squeeze over.  You would never guess that this would taste good but it is that particular flavor that I missed for 4 years!!! Soy Sauce with Lemon juice!! SOO GOOD!! There is even soy sauce with the lemon juice or lime juice already added because it is so popular in the Filipines. It is called...Toyomansi. If nothing else try just that the next time you are eating Asian food!
Filipino Pansit
Ingredients
- 1 package of rice noodles or cornstarch stick can be found at any Asian food market..it is inexpensive
- 1 med onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 cup pork or chicken meat thinly sliced
Veggie Wheel and Seasonings:
- 1 cup carrot sticks chopped
- 1 cup thinly sliced celery
- 1 small head shredded cabbage
- 5 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 ½ cup soup stock chicken is good
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon oyster sauce
Instructions
- In a wok or large skillet saute chicken garlic and onion until golden brown in a little oil. Add veggie wheel and seasonings and bring to boil.
- Next you need to soak your rice noodles. Do this in a large bowl with hot water for about 5 mins or until soft.
- Drain and add to pan.
- Mix together and let rice noodles absorb some of the stock and finish cooking, about 3-5 mins.
Erin V says
I've never done anything with pad thai noodles- I am so stoked to make my own!!!