PANCIT/PANSIT

Pancit or pansit is the term for noodles in Filipino cuisine. Noodles were introduced into the Philippines by the

   Chinese and have since been adopted into local cuisine.

The term pancit is derived from the Hokkien pian i sit

(Chinese: 堊�e繇�; Pe?h-?e-j?: pi?n-e-si?t or Chinese: ���繇�; pinyin: bi?n shi) which means "something

conveniently cooked fast."[1] Different kinds of noodles can be found in Filipino supermarkets which can then

be cooked at home. Noodle dishes are also standard fare in local restaurants. Food establishments

specializing in noodles are often referred to as panciterias.

They are therefore commonly

served at birthday celebrations and Chinese restaurants in the Philippines often have "birthday noodles" listed

on their menus. However, she warns that since "noodles represent long life and good health; they must not be

cut short so as not to corrupt the symbolism."

~~~Pancit Bihon Recipe ~~~

Estimated cooking & preparation time: 45 minutes

Pancit Bihon Ingredients: 

1 8 oz. pack pancit bihon noodles

1 cooked chicken breast, shredded

2 cups of chicken broth or 2 chicken bouillon cubes dissolved in 2 cups of water

1/4 cabbage, sliced into strips

1 onion, pealed and sliced

3 cloves of garlic, crushed and minced

1/3 cup scallions, cut into pieces

1 carrot, sliced into strips

2 tablespoons of cooking oil

3/4 cup diced celery

3 tablespoons soy sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

5 pieces of calamansi or 1 lemon, sliced

Pancit Bihon Cooking Instructions:

Soak the pancit bihon noodles to soften for 10 minutes

Grease a large pan or wok with oil. Saute garlic and onions.

Add the chicken broth, the shredded chicken breast and all the vegetables until cooked.

Mix in the pancit bihon noodles and add the soy sauce, cook for about 5 minutes or until the noodles are soft.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hot with sliced calamansi on the side.

Cooking Notes: Calamansi or lemon is to be squeezed into the pancit bihon before eating.