Filipino Spaghetti
Chef JP Reyes
The Sarap shop

What’s this about Filipino Spaghetti? That it’s different from the “regular” spaghetti? 

Well, yes! It’s different, yet somehow the same. 

Taking the basic concept from the eponymous Italian-style pasta dish, Filipino spaghetti was conceived from the lack of access to Italian ingredients. Enterprising Pinoys had to make do with what they had on hand ... banana ketchup and hotdogs. Those two ingredients make the Filipino style spaghetti on a level all on its own.

Who can deny that when you have a craving for this dish, you make a run for the store that makes you jolly and has a bee for its mascot? I know I do. 

Well, Chef JP Reyes now shows us how to make one so we can whip one up in a jiffy when we get those cravings. 

Let’s get to it! 

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz raw sugar
• 3 oz minced onion 
• 3 oz tablespoons minced garlic
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 oz tomato paste
• 6 oz crushed tomatoes
• 4 oz banana ketchup
• 1 tablespoon vegan butter (suggested brand: Earth Balance)
• 12 oz ground “meat” (suggested brand: Impossible Foods)
• 2 pieces vegan hotdogs thinly sliced diagonally (suggested brand: Lightlife)
• ½ cup vegan shredded cheddar cheese (suggested brand: Violife)
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Procedure

1. Cook the noodles according to package directions. Set aside 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest of the water. 
2. Drizzle the cooked noodles with olive oil and stir to prevent them from sticking. Set aside.
3. In a large pot, saute the garlic, onion in oil on medium heat. Add a pinch of salt. Saute for 3-4 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
4. Lower temperature to low-medium. Add the tomato paste and gently caramelize for 3-4 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
5. Increase heat to medium. Add the ground meat and brown until it’s thoroughly cooked. Add your hotdog slices.
6. Add the crushed tomatoes, banana ketchup, and sugar to the meat mix. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10-15 minutes
7. Add the butter and shredded cheese. Stir until melted. Season with additional sugar, salt, and pepper to taste.
   1. Optional: If your sauce is too thick, add some of your saved pasta water to the sauce to reach your desired consistency.
8. Add cooked noodles into your pot of sauce. Mix and serve.