sopas
{{Short description|Filipino macaroni soup}}
{{Hatnote|Sopas also means "soups" in Spanish. For soups, see Soup}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Sopas
| image_size = 240px
| caption = Top: Chicken sopas with tomatoes, carrots, and cabbage
Bottom: Sopas with corned beef
| alternate_name = creamy macaroni soup
| type = Pasta
| country = Philippines
| region =
| course = Main dish
| served = hot, warm
| main_ingredient = elbow macaroni, evaporated milk, chicken (or beef/pork), butter, garlic, onion
| variations =
| similar_dish = chicken noodle soup, sopa de fideo, suam na mais, lugaw, arroz caldo, chicken macaroni salad
| calories =
| other =
}}
Sopas is a Filipino macaroni soup made with elbow macaroni, various vegetables, and meat (usually chicken), in a creamy broth with evaporated milk. Sometimes, people would use Spaghetti instead of elbow macaroni as an alternative. This variant of Sopas is called Spapas. It is regarded as a comfort food in the Philippines and is typically eaten during breakfast, cold weather, or served to sick people.{{cite web |title=Creamy Chicken Sopas (Filipino Chicken Macaroni Soup) |url=https://www.manilaspoon.com/2013/11/creamy-chicken-sopas-filipino-chicken.html |website=Manila Spoon |access-date=December 16, 2018}}{{cite web |title=Top 18 Delicious Filipino Soup Recipes for Rainy days |url=https://www.pinoyrecipe.net/top-18-delicious-filipino-soups-for-rainy-days/ |website=Pinoy Recipe at Iba Pa |access-date=December 16, 2018}}
Origin
The dish is the Filipino version of the American chicken noodle soup, introduced during the American colonial period of the Philippines. The name simply means "soup" in Tagalog, from Spanish sopa ("soup").{{cite web |title=Chicken Sopas |url=https://www.angsarap.net/2012/02/01/chicken-sopas-2/ |website=Ang Sarap |access-date=December 16, 2018}}
Description
File:0001jfCuisine Foods Fruits Philippines Baliuag Bulacanfvf 38.jpg selling sopas]]
Sopas is relatively easy to make. The meat is boiled first until tender. Sopas usually use chicken, but can also use beef or more rarely, diced pork or even turkey. It can also use leftover meat or processed meat like corned beef. It is usually removed once tender and shredded with the bones discarded, but some recipes skip this part. The stock is saved for later.{{cite web |title=Creamy Chicken Sopas Recipe and Preparation Tips |url=https://recipenijuan.com/creamy-chicken-sopas-recipe/ |website=Recipe ni Juan |access-date=December 16, 2018}} Garlic and onions are then sautéed in butter briefly, before the stock is re-added and brought to a boil.{{cite web |last1=Angeles |first1=Mira |title=Chicken Sopas (Chicken Soup) Recipe |url=https://www.yummy.ph/recipe/chicken-sopas-chicken-soup-recipe-a394-20160824 |website=Yummy.ph |access-date=December 16, 2018}}
Various finely diced vegetables are added and allowed to soften. The most commonly used are carrots and celery.{{cite news |title=Recipe: Chicken Sopas |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/07/18/18/recipe-chicken-sopas |access-date=December 16, 2018 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=July 18, 2018}} Roughly chopped cabbage, another common ingredient, is added just before the dish is completely cooked. Some variants may also use finely diced potatoes, green peas, green beans, or kinchay (Chinese celery).{{cite web |title=Chicken Sopas |url=https://www.kawalingpinoy.com/chicken-sopas/ |website=Kawaling Pinoy |access-date=December 16, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Miranda |first1=Roselle |title=5 Ways To Make Sopas Better and Tastier |url=https://www.yummy.ph/lessons/cooking/how-to-make-sopas-better |website=Yummy.ph |access-date=December 16, 2018}} It is also common to exclude vegetables altogether.
The elbow macaroni is added last, along with finely diced hotdogs, Vienna sausages, ham.{{cite web |title=Chicken Noodle Soup (Sopas) – Filipino version |url=https://www.foxyfolksy.com/chicken-noodle-soup-sopas-filipino-version/ |website=Foxy Folksy |access-date=December 16, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Merano |first1=Vanjo |title=Creamy Chicken Sopas |url=https://panlasangpinoy.com/2016/09/24/creamy-chicken-sopas/ |website=Panlasang Pinoy |access-date=December 16, 2018}} The macaroni is cooked until al dente. It is spiced with salt and black pepper to taste. Once cooked, it is removed from the fire and evaporated milk is added. It is served hot or warm, and usually garnished with chopped scallions.
It is usually consumed immediately, as the macaroni will absorb the liquid and become soggy and bloated over time.
The steps may vary. Some versions boil the macaroni throughout, resulting in a soft mushy texture. Others do not de-bone or shred the meat, and may brown it beforehand by sautéing it with the garlic and onions.{{cite web |title=How to Cook Sopas - the Creamy Filipino Macaroni Soup |url=https://delishably.com/grains/Simple-Steps-to-Cook-Sopas-the-Creamy-Filipino-Macaroni-Soup |website=Delishably |access-date=December 16, 2018}} Others also prepare the dish faster by using store-bought bouillon cubes rather than prepare the stock.{{cite web |last1=Brooke |first1=CJ |title=Creamy Macaroni Chicken Soup (Sopas) |url=https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/creamy-macaroni-chicken-soup-sopas-476506 |website=Genius Kitchen |access-date=December 16, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Colón-Singh |first1=Rose Y. |title=How To Cook Sopas: The Deliciously Comforting Filipino Chicken Soup |url=https://www.finedininglovers.com/blog/food-drinks/how-to-cook-sopas/ |website=Fine Dining Lovers |access-date=December 16, 2018}}
A distinct cheap version of the dish is corned beef sopas which uses corned beef in place of chicken. Its preparation is identical to classic versions, though it does not need to be boiled beforehand.{{cite web |title=Corned Beef Sopas: My Mom cooked corned Beef Macaroni Soup |url=http://kusinaniteds.com/2019/08/corned-beef-sopas-my-mom-cooked-corned-beef-macaroni-soup.html |website=Kusina ni Teds |access-date=May 3, 2020}}
See also
{{Portal|Food|Philippines}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Philippine cuisine}}
{{Pasta dishes}}