Neighborhood Eats: Chicken and Ube Waffles from Maharlika

"Maharlika" also translates to noble work, and the food is the work of chef Miguel Trinidad. Trinidad is Dominican, but he traveled through the Philippines with Nicole Ponseca to learn the cuisine.

"I learned as much food as possible from the Lolas and Yayas, and opened Maharlika," said Trinidad.

Lolas and Yayas are grandmothers and nannies- they will recognize some of the classics like oxtail stew with peanut butter sauce called "Kare Kare." However, the chicken and waffles are of a younger generation.

The waffles are made with ube, which is purple yam. The dehydrated version is brought to life with butter and coconut milk that is mixed into waffle butter, and placed on to the waffle iron. The chicken is more traditional – it is marinated in egg whites, which holds in all the juices.

The purple-hued waffles are served with a mapacano syrup, made with young coconut and anchovy butter.

Chicken and Ube Waffles from Maharlika

For waffles:
Ingredients
Ube Paste