If for foreigners, balut or duck egg is considered exotic food, for Filipinos, it’s a local favorite usually partnered with spicy vinegar. The GMA public affairs program “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” recently featured the following creative recipes that turn the ordinary balut into a gastronomic delight:

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Balut Salpicao

This is a personal recipe of Alma Otero, a barangay captain from Pateros, hailed as the balut capital of the Philippines.



Ingredients
Solid portion of the balut (including the duck chick)
Onions
Tomatoes
All-purpose cream
Salt
Black pepper

Directions
Slice the solid portion of the balut into cubes. Sauté the balut in onions and tomatoes. Add all-purpose cream and season with salt and black pepper.

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Balut Surprise

Balut Surprise is a recipe of restaurateur Glenda Barretto of Via Mare.



Ingredients
Solid portion of the balut (including the duck chick)
Onions
Garlic
Black pepper
Olive oil
Chicken stock
Salt
Flour
Butter
Puff pastry

Directions
Take the solid portion of the balut and set aside. Sauté the balut in onions, garlic, black pepper and olive oil. Pour chicken stock and add salt and pepper for additional flavor. To thicken the sauce, mix in roux or flour melted in butter. Let it settle until it cools. Transfer to a ramekin or a small open container made of ceramic. Place puff pastry to cover the container’s opening. Bake for 15 minutes.
 
 

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Balut Mousse

This is a personal recipe of Chef Jonathan Paul Em, who teaches at a culinary school in Taguig.



Ingredients
Shallots
Solid portion of the balut (including the duck chick)
Brandy
Gelatin powder
Whipped cream

Directions
Sauté shallots in butter. Add the solid portion of the balut. Add a little brandy. While waiting for the balut to cook, prepare a gelatin mixture by dissolving clear gelatin powder in cold water. Place the cooked balut in a hard blender. Add the gelatin mixture. Blend. After blending, add whipped cream and mix it all together. Strain the mixture and transfer to shot glasses. Refrigerate before serving.

For more interesting twists on Pinoy food favorites, tune in to “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” every Saturday, 7:30 PM on GMA-7.—PF/GMA News