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Pancit Bihon Take 1

I don't care what anyone says, Pancit is harder to make that it actually looks. Above is the result of probably 3 to 3 1/2 hours of cooking for Easter lunch. I usually assist my mom, an amazing Pilipino cuisine cook, in the kitchen on the holidays. I've cut all the ingredients before, and helped out with a few steps here and there, but this was the first time I did it all my own. My main goal was to NOT burn the noodles! (Been there, done that). But as a result, I think I just over-thought the entire process. What resulted was a somewhat mushy Pancit Bihon that my brother-in-law called Chopped Pancit! LOL.

It actually tasted pretty decent, but I really couldn't get over the consistency of it. By no means should you have to "scoop" a plate of pancit for yourself. It should fall gently and effortlessly onto plates with a fork. I know with a lot of practice, I can make this a lot better. Someday, I'll be able to spend 1 hour in the kitchen and not 3-4 hours. I'll prepare all the ingredients ahead of time instead of racing against a hot pot of browning shrimp. And I'll take it easy on the chicken broth that my mom usually adds to soften the bihon.

But I just wanted to share the recipe. Here are the directions to making my Mom's pancit bihon. There are likely dozens of variations. Feel free to let me know how you cook yours, too!

-The Filipina Chicagoan

Sunny's Pancit Bihon (aka my Mom's Bihon)
1) Sautee 3 cloves garlic and 1 large white, chopped onion in a huge pot
2) Add achuete until it is a reddish color
3) Add peeled, uncooked shrimp and brown
4) Add shredded cooked chicken - use anything from chicken tenders to the rotisserie chicken you have from the grocery store
5) Add 1 package of Excellent brand rice noodles from the Pilipino store. Note: This has to be softened in a pot/tray of lukewarm water at least a half hour before cooking. Drain very, very well in a colander.
6) Add a splash -- do not douse -- of chicken stock to the pot. (Don't be like me!)
7) Add in chopped green cabbage, shredded or julienne carrots, finely chopped mushrooms and finely sliced celery.
8) Mix noodles, meat and veggies all together on medium heat.
9) If you are on a time constraint, add in a Rice Sticks packet to flavor pancit. Find flavoring packets at the Pilipino store for under $1. Speeds up the flavoring process.
10) Add cilantro and peapods - remove the ends off first.
11) Sprinkle with lemon, soy sauce and garlic.
12) Serve hot with slices of lemon, cilantro, shrimp or egg, if you'd like.
13) Always have LOTS of leftovers to fill in tupper ware.

I hope to cook just like my mom someday soon!

Chicago Asian Americans Rally in Washington for Immigration Rally

From the Asian American Institute:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact:
Saturday, March 20, 2010	Sung Yeon Choi-Morrow
	Community Organizer
	Asian American Institute
	Phone: 630. 615. 9551
	E-mail:sungyeon@aaichicago.org Web: www.aaichicago.org

CHICAGO ASIAN AMERICANS DESCEND UPON WASHINGTON FOR
MARCH FOR AMERICA RALLY TOMORROW

CHICAGO, IL -The Asian American Institute (AAI) has sent 49 local people to Washington, D.C., to gather for tomorrow's March for America rally for comprehensive immigration reform. The group left Chicago by bus on Saturday night, and will arrive in Washington on Sunday morning, where they will join an anticipated crowd of 100,000 supporters of immigration reform.

Almost 2/3 of immigrants from Asia came to the U.S. through family immigration. But those from Asian countries have to endure some of the worst immigration backlogs in the world. "Every day is an eternity when you long for family - and some in our community wait 22 years to be reunited with loved ones," said Tuyet Le, executive director for AAI, who will be one of the speakers at the rally. The March for America rally is held to show elected officials how many people are affected by the immigration system, and demand that they prioritize comprehensive immigration reform. In addition, community members from across the nation will be sharing their own personal stories with the broken immigration system.

Several attendees from AAI's group have experienced the broken immigration system first-hand, or have experienced how it separated their families. Liuan Chen of Wheaton, Illinois is rallying in DC to bring her family back together. Her stepfather, Mr. Huang, left the United States voluntarily in June after being detained by the Department of Homeland Security, facing deportation unable to get documentation. Chen's mother still faces deportation after her permanent residency application was dropped, because she divorced her previous husband, who was her visa sponsor. However, her mother remains here legally, having been granted a temporary stay to care for her children, ages 9 and 11, who are citizens. "They are separated by an ocean and a system, when all they are trying to do is make a living," Chen said.

In addition to AAI's group, more than 100 Asian Americans from the Chicagoland area will attend the March for America. Other local organizations sending participants by bus include: Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Korean American Resource and Cultural Center, and Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment.

Several rally-goers from the local area will use social networking to boost awareness of March for America, and to share their personal experience from this symbolic journey to Washington. Find post updates on Facebook and tweets on Twitter.

Follow the group on Twitter from now until Sunday as it marches through Washington, then to the rally held on the National Mall beginning at 2 p.m. EST.

Available for Media Interviews:
Tuyet Le, Executive Director of AAI, 773-456-3589
Liuan Chen, 409-223-8606

Links on the Web:

March For America