Ingredients
1. 2 cups of glutinous rice (also known as sticky or sweet rice)
2. 2 cups of regular rice
3. 4 cups of water
4. 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
5. 1 small onion, chopped
6. 2 cloves of garlic, minced
7. 1 cup of ginger, sliced
8. 1 cup of ground pork or beef (optional)
9. Salt and black pepper, to taste
10. Patis (fish sauce) or calamansi (Philippine lime), for serving (optional)
Instructions
1. *Rinse and soak the glutinous and regular rice*: Combine the two types of rice in a large bowl and rinse them with water. Soak the rice in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain the water and set the rice aside.
2. *Heat oil in a pot*: In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
3. *Sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger*: Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and sliced ginger to the pot. Stir until the onion is translucent.
4. *Add the ground meat (if using)*: Add the ground pork or beef to the pot and stir until it's browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
5. *Add the rice*: Add the drained rice to the pot and stir for about 5 minutes, ensuring the rice is well coated with the oil and mixed with the meat and spices.
6. *Add water*: Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil.
7. *Reduce heat and simmer*: Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 30-40 minutes or until the rice is cooked and creamy.
8. *Season with salt and pepper*: Season the Gotong Batangas with salt and black pepper to taste.
9. *Serve*: Serve the Gotong Batangas hot with patis (fish sauce) or calamansi (Philippine lime) on the side, if desired.
Variations and Tips
1. You can add other ingredients like fish, shrimp, or vegetables to make the dish more flavorful.
2. Adjust the amount of water according to the desired consistency.
3. For a creamier texture, add more glutinous rice or a little cornstarch.
4. Experiment with different spices, like saffron or annatto, for added flavor and color.