Tinola is the dish my mom makes for me whenever I get sick. I don’t know what she puts it in besides the set ingredients, but I always wake up the next morning feeling better than before. One weekend during high school, I was running a high fever because on my plane ride a couple days before, I had to sit next to a sick person. I had a terrible headache and a high temperature, so I glued myself to my bed with 100 sheets covering me and ate her tinola for dinner. It worked like a charm. Below I’ve put her recipe, which originates from Iloilo, our hometown in the Philippines.

RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 lb chicken breast
• 1/2 onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• one thumb-sized piece of ginger
• 1 papaya
• 1 cup of malunggay leaves
• chicken broth
• salt
• pepper

1. Cut your onion into thin slices and crush your garlic with your knife.
2. Cut your papaya into 1 inch cubes
3. Slice your chicken breasts into three inch long strips.
4. Saute your chicken slices in the pan with the onions, garlic, and ginger until it browns.
5. Add chicken broth to the pan and let it boil until the chicken becomes tender.
6. When tender, add the papaya and malunggay leaves.
7. Add salt and pepper to your liking.
8. Enjoy!