Lately, I’ve been feeling so drained—mentally, emotionally, physically. You know that kind of tired that sleep can’t even fix? That’s me.
Daddydoodledoo just resigned from his job and is now transitioning into a new one, which means there are a lot of adjustments happening in our home. I’m still juggling the kids, the pets, the housework, and somehow waking up at 2AM most nights (yes, nagigising ako sa disoras ng gabi kahit hindi ko naman gustong gumising) — only to fall asleep again right before my alarm goes off at 4:30AM to prep for the school rush.
Add to that my usual everyday chaos—prepping the girls for school, feeding our pets, juggling chores, deadlines, and house errands—it’s a full plate. Parang kulang pa nga ang 24 hours.
And when life gets this hectic, the last thing I want is to stare blankly at the fridge wondering, “Ano na namang ulam?”
But today, I knew exactly what I needed: Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa with Alimasag.
There’s something about creamy gata-based dishes that just soothes the soul. Maybe it’s the richness of the coconut milk, the tender bite of sitaw and kalabasa, or the sweet-savory depth of alimasag that brings instant comfort. Parang may yumakap sa’yo at nagsabing, “Kaya mo ‘yan, Mommy.”
Why this dish?
Because it’s nutritious. May gulay na, may seafood pa.
Because it’s affordable. Di kailangang mamahalin para maging espesyal.
And because it’s nostalgic. Every bite reminds me of Sunday lunches at home, or those rainy days na sabay-sabay kaming kumakain habang maulan sa labas.
It’s quick, simple, and doesn’t ask for too much from a tired mom like me. But it gives so much—flavor, nourishment, and a little bit of peace of mind sa bawat subo.
To every mom out there who’s feeling tired too, I see you. Minsan okay na ang isang masarap na ulam para maibalik ang konting sigla.
What’s your go-to comfort ulam when life gets too much? Share it in the comments!
PrintGinataang Sitaw at Kalabasa with Alimasag
Ingredients
- 1kg alimasag, cut in half
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped finely
- 1 onion, chopped
- 300g squash, cut into cubes
- 3 cups coconut milk
- 2 tsp seasoning granules
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp patis
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 bunch of sitaw, cut into 1-inch pieces
Instructions
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Heat a bit of cooking oil in a large pan.
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Sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant and translucent.
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Add the squash and sauté for about a minute to bring out its natural sweetness.
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Pour in the coconut milk and stir gently.
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Season with your favorite seasoning granules, ground black pepper, fish sauce, and sugar to balance the flavors.
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Mix well to let all the seasonings blend into the coconut milk.
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Add the crabs, cover the pan, and let them simmer for 3–5 minutes so the flavors soak in.
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After that, stir again and add the string beans. Let it cook for another 3 minutes or until the beans are tender but still slightly crisp.
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Give it a final stir, turn off the heat, and transfer to your serving dish. Enjoy it hot with rice!
