Binatog
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Although Filipino goods are more readily available in Southern California than when we first came to the U.S. in the early 1990's and we can now enjoy our beloved Filipino dishes with relative ease, there is still food from back home I terribly miss. I haven't hadduhat foryears decades. Orsaresas! Wouldn't I love to get my hands dirty with a platter oftalangka! Or dig into a big bowl of piping hot binatog!
Binatog is a popular street food in the Philippines usually peddled from house to house in large metal tins by street vendors. It's made of boiled white corn kernels topped with freshly-grated coconut, margarine, and salt (or sugar) just before serving.
Although corn is plentiful in the U.S., I haven't come across the type of corn that's traditionally used in this dish. Some recipes I've found and tried in the past recommend canned hominy but although delicious, it didn't quite taste like the binatog I remember.
Imagine my excitement when mykumare (the samekumare who gave me thekutsinta recipe) posted on Facebook the binatog she made at home! Since they live in Canada and don't have access to indigenous products like me, I was curious to find out what she used as an alternative.
Ok, guys, I made a booboo here. What my friend used is the packaged boiled white corn you can find in the freezer section of most Asian stores. They come already shucked, cooked and usually packed in threes.
I was going to take a picture of the package to show you what to look for but, umm, I forgot. I tried to search for an image or a link online but I couldn't find any. I promise I will add a photo here the next time I make binatog. The way I polished off the last one, it would be soon. 🙂
Update: 10/16/2016 I am getting a lot of emails and comments regarding the corn I used. It's difficult to show you what I mean by native Philippine corn without the photo. My apologies, I will have a picture up as soon as possible. Update (again) 10/17/2017: Here is what the corn looks like. I made a special trip to Seafood City just for this. Not that I am complaining. Not when a fresh bowl of binatog on my lap right now as I type. 🙂
Binatog is a very easy snack you can pull together in 30 minutes or less. The only time-consuming part of making this dish is removing the corn kernels from the ears. Although faster and easier, please, please do NOT use a knife as you want to keep the kernels whole and not cut through them. The fastest way I've tried is to use a fork, just push the tines between the corn kernels and gently pry them off the cob. In a matter of minutes, you'll have corn ready for boiling. Enjoy!
Binatog
Ingredients
- 2packages6 ears boiled white corn
- water
- 2cupsfreshly grated coconut
- margarine to taste
- salt or sugar to taste
Instructions
- Using tines of fork, pry corn kernels from cobs.
- In a pot over medium heat, place corn kernels and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and then lower heat, cover, and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. In a colander, drain corn well.
- Divide boiled corn on serving plates. Top with grated coconut, margarine, and salt or sugar to taste.
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
AboutLalaine Manalo
Welcome to Kawaling Pinoy. Here you’ll find hundreds of delicious Filipino and Asian recipes. Make sure to browse around and pick a favorite dish or two. Happy cooking!Read More
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Master Chefsays
Very nice snackRosesays
Use the “Hominy” in spanish grocery store. Just boil it and there you have it. I have the picture what the corn look like in ky instagranm KUSINAWIE.
leahsays
I thought binatog was corn cooked with some lye water.
EAT'S a Small Worldsays
I super love this when I was a kid. Thanks for sharing!
Clarissasays
Hi, I believe tradition Binatog is made with Hominy which can be purchased canned, and not frozen corn.
Looks good though but wouldn't call it binatogmeisays
Hi neighbor, I'm back.
Did you buy the corn in Seafood City? My hubby has been asking me to make binatog for years but I don't know what kind of corn to use. ( I grow up in the province and we don't have binatog there hehe.)
Thank you,
MeiVladimirsays
How is it that yellow corn kernels appear in the photo but mentioned as WHITE CORN KERNEL in the recipe?
