As an archipelago, the Philippines is known for its abundance of seafood in the market, ranging from small shells to large king crabs and a variety of fishes. Today, I decided to make one of my favorite breakfast dishes using affordable little bear conch shells that can be easily found in any market in the Philippines. I purchased 1 kilogram of little bear conch shells for 100 pesos, which is a great deal.
Rice is a staple food for us Filipinos and we pair it with any dish we have in mind. For my breakfast, I wanted to have hot soup, so I decided to cook shell soup and pair it with rice. Below, I'll walk you through how I prepared for today's meal.
Little Bear Conch or in Cebuano we call the shells, ”Sikad-sikad”.
This shell is one of the most abundant varieties found in the Philippines. It's not only affordable and budget-friendly for all Filipinos, but it's also a personal favorite of mine and my partner's. Since we are only two people eating breakfast, one kilo is the perfect amount. I am really craving some hot soup, and seafood soup would be perfect. We went to the market, which is just 5 to 10 minutes away from our new apartment, and bought 1K of this shell for only 100 pesos.
As soon as you acquire the shells, it's essential to grab a brush. Whether you have a specialized brush or a spare toothbrush that can be used, it's imperative to ensure that you brush and clean the shells adequately. In some instances, the shells may contain dirt, which should be avoided at all costs when making soup. Thus, it's crucial to brush and clean the shells thoroughly to ensure they are impeccably clean.
While cleaning the shells, I prepared the hot water for the soup using my butane stove. It's a space saver and very convenient as each gas costs only around 23 pesos.
However, it's important to be cautious while using a butane stove as it can cause fire hazards. Therefore, I made sure to keep an eye on the stove while making the water hot inside the pot.
After the water was hot enough, I added the shells to the boiling water. This is how I usually do it.
While waiting for the water to boil, I cleaned the lemongrass and onion leaves that I would be using as ingredients in the soup. Adding these aromatic herbs not only enhances the flavor of the soup, but also provides health benefits. After cleaning them thoroughly, I added them to the pot of boiling water, followed by the shells and seasoning with salt and other seasonings.
Cook thoroughly until the shells with meat begin to separate from the shell. This is a good indicator that they are cooked. Be sure to cook them thoroughly to ensure that the meat separates from the shell.
For easier consumption, it is recommended to remove the shells from the cooked seafood. To extract the meat from the shells, use a needle or any tool that can help in the process. The soup can be enhanced with additional flavors such as lemongrass and onion leaves. Adding chili can also provide a spicy kick to the dish for those who prefer it.
Cooking little bear conch soup is a simple process that can result in a delicious breakfast. I was ecstatic to satisfy my soup cravings with a healthy and flavorful bowl of hot and spicy soup. I enjoy pairing soups like this with hot rice, which is a common practice during meals in the Philippines. Have you ever tried little bear conch soup? If not, you should consider making it as it is both affordable and tasty, making it a great option for family meals.
Hope you all had a good breakfast! Ciao!☺︎♡