Recipe: Rellenong Manok - Baked Stuffed Chicken

Philippines food: Rellenong Manok or Baked Stuffed Chicken

Image © 2007 Habeeb Salloum

Serves 4 to 6

In the Philippines the chicken used in this recipe is de-boned without piercing the skin, but due to the considerable work this entails, I have used a regular chicken.

3 to 4 pound chicken, washed4 tablespoons soy sauce1 tablespoon sugar3 tablespoons lemon juice1/4 pound ground ham1/4 pound sausage, cut into small pieces1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 4 tablespoons bread crumbs1 medium onion, finely chopped5 cloves garlic, crushed1 eggs beaten2 tablespoons raisins2 tablespoons sweet relish1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoons pepper1/2 cup water4 tablespoons butter melted2 tablespoons flour1 teaspoon garlic powder

Combine 3 tablespoons of the soy sauce, sugar and lemon juice, then rub chicken with mixture and marinate for 3 to 4 hours.

Combine ham, sausage, cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, eggs, raisins, relish, salt, pepper and water to make stuffing.

Stuff the chicken, both back and neck, then sew closed. Rub with butter then place in a roasting pan and cover. Roast in a preheated 350 F oven for 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes from the pan juices, then remove cover and continue roasting for 15 minutes or until chicken turns golden brown.

Take out drippings from the roaster and place in a small saucepan then add flour, garlic powder and the 1 remaining tablespoon of soy sauce. Stir-fry while adding a little water to make gravy-sauce.