Filipino-Style Sopas Recipe: A Hearty and Delicious Soup

As a proud Pinoy, I’m excited to share with you our family’s recipe for Sopas, a traditional Filipino soup dish with Spanish influences. This comforting soup is perfect for cold and rainy days and is a staple in many Filipino households.

In this recipe, we’ll use traditional Pinoy ingredients to give Sopas our own unique flavor. Whether you’re a Filipino food enthusiast or just looking for a new soup recipe to try, you’ll love this easy and delicious Sopas recipe.

It is very easy to cook so let’s get started!

Ingredients:

• Pasta:
  • 1 cup elbow macaroni
• Protein:
  • 1 medium-sized chicken breast or 2 large drumsticks, shredded
  • 6 hotdogs, sliced
• Vegetables:
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into small pieces
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cabbage, shredded (optional)
• Liquids:
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth (or more, depending on desired consistency)
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • Additional water (optional)
• Seasonings: Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking Oil: 1 tablespoon (for sautéing)

Procedure:

Cook the Elbow Macaroni

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Add a pinch of salt and a small drizzle of cooking oil.
3. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente.
4. Drain and set aside.

Prepare the Chicken

1. In a separate pot, boil the chicken in water with a pinch of salt and pepper until soft and tender.
2. Remove the chicken from the water, let it cool slightly, then shred it into small pieces.
3. Set the chicken aside and reserve the broth for later use.

Sauté the onion and garlic

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat.
2. Sauté the chopped onion until softened and golden brown.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Cook the Hotdogs and Carrots:

1. Add the sliced hotdogs to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.
2. Add the diced carrots and cook, stirring, until they begin to soften (about 3-4 minutes).
3. Season with salt and pepper.

Combine the Chicken and Pasta:

1. Add the shredded chicken to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the cooked elbow macaroni, pouring in the reserved chicken broth (reserve some broth if desired for a thicker consistency).
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer.

Add the Evaporated Milk and Finish:

1. Pour in the evaporated milk, stirring to combine.
2. Let the soup come to a gentle boil again.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or a splash of water/broth for desired consistency.
4. If adding cabbage, stir it in at this stage and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until tender.

Serve and Enjoy:

1. Serve the Sopas hot, garnished with fresh herbs.

Filipino Sopas recipe variations:

Sopas are extremely popular and depending on the region, personal preferences, and ingredients availability, there are multiple common variations.

1. Visayan-Style Sopas (Sopas Bisaya): This version from the Visayas region uses seafood like shrimp, fish, or mussels, and is often flavored with ginger and chili peppers.
2. Ilocano Sopas: From the Ilocos region, this variation adds bagoong (fermented fish sauce) for a salty, umami flavor, and may include ingredients like vegetables, beans, or corn.
3. Cebu-Style Sopas: This version from Cebu is known for its rich, creamy broth made with evaporated milk or coconut milk, and may include ingredients like chicken, pork, or seafood.
4. Pampanga Sopas: From the culinary capital of the Philippines, Pampanga, this variation is known for its rich, savory broth made with pork or beef stock, and may include ingredients like vegetables, beans, or tripe.
5. Mindanao-Style Sopas: This version from Mindanao is influenced by Malay and Arabic cuisine, and may include ingredients like beef or chicken, potatoes, carrots, and peanuts.
6. Batangas Sopas: From the province of Batangas, this variation is known for its use of bulalo (beef shank) and vegetables like cabbage and pechay (bok choy).
7. Bicol-Style Sopas: This version from the Bicol region is known for its spicy broth made with chili peppers and coconut milk, and may include ingredients like pork, chicken, or seafood.

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