Many of us Filipinos have learned to like pancit, which are the kind of noodles brought about by Chinese influence in the Philippines. Then a couple of decades ago, we started having instant pancit canton, which became a national favorite. It’s delicious and so much easier to prepare. Now, I’m going to share with you a comfort snack that I have discovered using Payless Instant Pancit Canton and Chicharron ni Mang Juan.

• Related: Sardine and Salted Egg Salad Recipe for a Budget Meal

Payless Instant Pancit Canton with Chicharron ni Mang Juan

One of the favorite snacks that we like is Payless Instant Pancit Canton. But because it’s not really very healthy to eat instant food that comes in packs, we don’t eat it often.

But when we do, our whole family would dig in because the kids like it, too. Then one day, I had some leftover Chicharron ni Mang Juan in Klasik Chicharon flavor (blue pack). So I decided to empty the small crumbs from the pack into the bowl of Payless Instant Pancit Canton that I just prepared.

Oh my gosh! It was soooo good! What an awesome combination. So I tried re-creating it using new ingredients.

What You Need

You only need two basic things for this snack, which is why it is really a Pinoy budget meal. It’s tasty and it can be eaten with pan de sal for merienda or with rice for lunch.

• Related: 6 Steps To Get Your Family Budget Back on Track

If you are tightening your belt because of the Covid-19 pandemic, then this is a good way to fill the tummy until you can prepare the next meal. It’s really up to you because the combinations are endless.

Here are the two things you need:

• Payless Xtra BIG Pancit Canton
• 1 small pack of Chicharron ni Mang Juan, crumbled into smaller pieces

Cost of the Meal

Each pack of the Payless XTRA Big pack is about P15. A small pack of Mang Juan is a bit more than P5 at the supermarket.

• 3 packs of the pancit canton – PhP15
• 1 pack Mang Juan – PhP5.60

Total = P50.60

And this can already feed up to five people in the family.

Optional Ingredients

Since this is a pancit canton dish, you can add more ingredients–whatever is available. You can add it some sliced carrots, pechay, and cabbage–stir-fried and seasoned with salt.

Or may also want to scramble a couple of eggs and use it as topping.

If you have meatballs or fish balls, you may add them, too. Isn’t your pancit canton more exciting, now?

Procedure

Cook the noodles according to package instructions. Add the crumbled Chicharron ni Mang Juan when you are ready to eat. Garnish with sliced chives or green onions and slices of kalamansi and your instant pancit canton would already look good on the plate.

Enjoy!

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Cooking Tip: Our kids do not like it too spicy. You may cook the Kalamansi flavor and just add your own chili-garlic sauce.

PMS Comfort Food

I have to admit that I am not the healthiest person because I have unhealthy food cravings. Blame that on hormones because I have PCOS (a fertility problem) and now I am peri-menopausal.

• Read: Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds for Menopausal Women

• Related: DIY Shabu-shabu Hotpot Recipe

There are times that I would cook Payless Instant Pancit Canton in the afternoon or late at night and eat it with rice. Ugh.. Double carbs, I know. And both are really the bane of my diet. I cannot seem to process carbs efficiently!

But it’s a comforting combination and I love it. That’s why I discovered this.

Yummy Combination of Payless Instant Pancit Canton and the Chicharron ni Mang Juan (Classic)

This is just a wonderful discovery for me, which I am sharing with you so that you can enjoy it, too.

Note: Payless Instant Pancit Canton and Mang Juan Chicharon are products of Universal Robina Corporation. This post was in no way sponsored by any of the companies and brands mentioned above. I just happened to discover how they taste good together.

But for your health’s sake, eat this sparingly. Diet that is high in sodium can lead to renal failure and high blood pressure.

Budget Meal Recipes

Meanwhile, here are some other budget meal recipes for the Pinoy household. This pandemic is really trying out our creativity in the kitchen.

• A one-dish meal using sardines and rice: Sardine Java Rice: A Filipino Family Meal Below P50
• This is a gourmet recipe but only costs P50. Prepare this and impress the family: Sardine Spaghetti Aglio Olio Recipe: 50-Peso Dish During Family Quarantine
• Make use of sardines and instant noodles to prepare a meal for your family. Read: Spicy Sardine Frittata: 50-peso-Dish for a Family of 5 from Covid-19 Relief Packs

Pork Skin Kilawin Recipe (Pork Skin Salad): Ulam Below 100 Pesos