Flavored Chorizo

Chorizo flavored has a long tradition in the Philippines, having its own specialty. Among other chorizo it is known for garlic and guagua for its saltiness. Almost sour chorizo, by contrast is known for its distinctive tastes, unlike other chorizo you can make also a chicken, beef or even tuna.

Chorizo can be bought as laa whole sausage of either soft cooking chorizo, which must be cooked before eating, or a firmer, drier cured sausage which can be sliced and eaten without cooking. It is also sold thinly sliced, like salami, to be enjoyed raw as tapas.

Spanish chorizo gets its trademark smoky flavour and rich red colour from Pimenton, which is smoked Spanish paprika, and is usually very spicy. Uncooked chorizo is softer to the touch and, when cooked, releases delicious spicy red oil. Indeed, often recipes using chorizo do not call for additional oil to be added to the pan since it provides its own.

Chorizo is a sausage that has many different varieties and is eaten all over Spain. Most chorizo that you would buy in stores has been cured, but “fresh” chorizo, which is softer, is also available. Chorizo is made by chopping or grinding the pork and “marinating” it in spices. Spanish paprika (sweet or spicy) is the spice which is gives chorizo its characteristic flavour and distinguishes it from other sausages. The casing of the chorizo is usually made from pork, if made at home.

Chorizo may be sliced and eaten alone or with crusty French-style bread or can be fried. It is very common to use it as an ingredient in other dishes, such as stews and soups.

Busy families can always use a hearty one-pot meal. When time is limited, the best examples are the ones that use pantry ingredients. This Rice, Beans and Greens dish borrows staples such as canned beans and rice from the pantry. Other ingredients - spicy chorizo, the Spanish pork sausage that gets its color and flavour from smoked red peppers, and fresh kale - might require a trip to the grocery store. Sweet or spicy Italian sausage, turkey or chicken sausage or any of the "gourmet" sausages can be substituted for chorizo.

By: Ana Joy Alba