Craving the savory goodness of pancit but short on time? You’re in the right place! This article is your ultimate guide to creating delicious and satisfying pancit dishes in under 20 minutes. We’ll explore various quick and easy pancit recipes, focusing on simple ingredients and streamlined cooking techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen newbie, these recipes will have you enjoying a steaming plate of flavorful pancit in no time. So, ditch the takeout menus and let’s get cooking!
**What is Pancit?**
Pancit, a staple in Filipino cuisine, is a noodle dish typically stir-fried with meat, vegetables, and flavorful seasonings. There are countless variations, each reflecting regional preferences and available ingredients. Some popular types include Pancit Canton (thick egg noodles), Pancit Bihon (thin rice noodles), Pancit Palabok (with a rich shrimp gravy), and Pancit Habhab (served on a banana leaf). While traditional pancit recipes can be time-consuming, our focus here is on creating simplified, faster versions without sacrificing flavor.
**Why Quick & Easy Pancit?**
In today’s fast-paced world, time is a precious commodity. Weeknights are often filled with work, family commitments, and errands, leaving little room for elaborate cooking. Quick and easy pancit recipes offer a delicious and convenient solution. They require minimal prep time, utilize readily available ingredients, and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Plus, they’re a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables into your diet!
**Essential Ingredients for Quick & Easy Pancit**
Before we dive into specific recipes, let’s gather the essential ingredients you’ll need for most quick pancit variations:
* **Noodles:** The type of noodles you choose will significantly impact the texture and flavor of your pancit. For speed and convenience, consider pre-cooked noodles or those that cook quickly. Popular options include:
* **Pancit Bihon (Rice Noodles):** These thin, translucent noodles are gluten-free and cook very quickly. Soak them in hot water for a few minutes before stir-frying.
* **Pancit Canton (Egg Noodles):** These thick, yellow noodles have a chewier texture and a richer flavor. Look for pre-cooked or quick-cooking varieties.
* **Instant Noodles:** While not traditional, instant noodles can be a surprisingly good base for quick pancit. Discard the seasoning packet and use your own flavorful sauce.
* **Glass Noodles (Sotanghon):** These thin, transparent noodles are made from mung bean starch and cook very quickly. They have a delicate flavor and a slightly chewy texture.
* **Protein:** Choose a protein source that cooks quickly. Options include:
* **Shrimp:** Peeled and deveined shrimp cook in just a few minutes.
* **Chicken:** Use pre-cooked shredded chicken or chicken breast cut into small, thin pieces.
* **Pork:** Ground pork or thinly sliced pork loin cooks quickly.
* **Tofu:** Firm or extra-firm tofu, pressed to remove excess water, is a great vegetarian option. Cut it into cubes and pan-fry or stir-fry until golden brown.
* **Chinese Sausage (Lap Cheong):** Adds a sweet and savory flavor. Slice thinly before adding to the pan.
* **Vegetables:** Choose vegetables that cook quickly and add color and nutrients to your pancit. Some popular options include:
* **Cabbage:** Shredded cabbage adds a crisp texture and mild flavor.
* **Carrots:** Julienned or thinly sliced carrots add sweetness and color.
* **Bell Peppers:** Sliced bell peppers add a sweet and slightly tangy flavor.
* **Snap Peas:** Add a crisp and sweet flavor and texture.
* **Onions:** Sliced onions provide a savory base flavor.
* **Garlic:** Minced garlic adds a pungent and aromatic flavor.
* **Celery:** Sliced celery adds a subtle crunch and freshness.
* **Mushrooms:** Sliced mushrooms (button, shiitake, or oyster) add an earthy flavor.
* **Bean Sprouts:** Adds a crunchy fresh element to the final dish.
* **Sauce:** A flavorful sauce is essential for pancit. Here’s a basic sauce recipe that you can customize to your liking:
* Soy sauce: Adds a salty and umami flavor.
* Oyster sauce: Adds a rich and savory flavor.
* Chicken broth or vegetable broth: Adds moisture and depth of flavor.
* Sesame oil: Adds a nutty aroma and flavor.
* Ground black pepper: Adds a touch of spice.
* Cornstarch (optional): To thicken the sauce.
* **Garnish:** Garnishes add visual appeal and extra flavor. Consider these options:
* Chopped green onions: Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor.
* Fried garlic: Adds a crispy and pungent flavor.
* Lemon or calamansi wedges: Adds a tangy flavor.
* Hard-boiled eggs: Sliced hard-boiled eggs add protein and visual appeal.
* Chicharon (pork cracklings): Adds a crispy and savory crunch (optional).
**Quick & Easy Pancit Recipes**
Now, let’s get to the recipes! These recipes are designed to be flexible, so feel free to adjust the ingredients and quantities to your liking.
**Recipe 1: Speedy Shrimp Pancit Bihon**
This recipe uses rice noodles and shrimp for a light and flavorful pancit that’s ready in minutes.
**Ingredients:**
* 4 oz Pancit Bihon (rice noodles)
* 1 tbsp vegetable oil
* 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
* 1 small onion, thinly sliced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup shredded cabbage
* 1/2 cup sliced carrots
* 1/4 cup soy sauce
* 2 tbsp oyster sauce
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 1 tbsp sesame oil
* Ground black pepper to taste
* Chopped green onions for garnish
* Lemon or calamansi wedges for serving
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Noodles:** Soak the pancit bihon in hot water for 5-7 minutes, or until softened. Drain well.
2. **Sauté the Aromatics:** Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
3. **Cook the Shrimp:** Add the shrimp to the wok and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the wok and set aside.
4. **Stir-fry the Vegetables:** Add the cabbage and carrots to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly softened.
5. **Add the Sauce:** In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, chicken broth, sesame oil, and black pepper. Pour the sauce over the vegetables in the wok.
6. **Combine Everything:** Add the cooked noodles and shrimp to the wok. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce and heated through.
7. **Serve:** Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately with lemon or calamansi wedges.
**Recipe 2: Quick Chicken Pancit Canton**
This recipe uses egg noodles and pre-cooked shredded chicken for a hearty and satisfying pancit.
**Ingredients:**
* 8 oz Pancit Canton (egg noodles), pre-cooked
* 1 tbsp vegetable oil
* 1 cup pre-cooked shredded chicken
* 1 small onion, thinly sliced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup shredded cabbage
* 1/2 cup sliced carrots
* 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers
* 1/4 cup soy sauce
* 2 tbsp oyster sauce
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 1 tbsp sesame oil
* Ground black pepper to taste
* Fried garlic for garnish
**Instructions:**
1. **Sauté the Aromatics:** Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
2. **Add the Chicken and Vegetables:** Add the shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened.
3. **Add the Sauce:** In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, chicken broth, sesame oil, and black pepper. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the wok.
4. **Combine Everything:** Add the cooked noodles to the wok. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce and heated through.
5. **Serve:** Garnish with fried garlic and serve immediately.
**Recipe 3: Vegetarian Tofu Pancit**
This recipe uses tofu for a protein-rich and vegetarian-friendly pancit.
**Ingredients:**
* 4 oz Pancit Bihon (rice noodles)
* 1 tbsp vegetable oil
* 1 block (14 oz) firm or extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed
* 1 small onion, thinly sliced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup shredded cabbage
* 1/2 cup sliced carrots
* 1/4 cup soy sauce
* 2 tbsp vegetarian oyster sauce (or more soy sauce)
* 1/2 cup vegetable broth
* 1 tbsp sesame oil
* Ground black pepper to taste
* Chopped green onions for garnish
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Noodles:** Soak the pancit bihon in hot water for 5-7 minutes, or until softened. Drain well.
2. **Cook the Tofu:** Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu cubes and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown on all sides. Remove the tofu from the wok and set aside.
3. **Sauté the Aromatics:** Add the onion and garlic to the wok and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
4. **Stir-fry the Vegetables:** Add the cabbage and carrots to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly softened.
5. **Add the Sauce:** In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, vegetarian oyster sauce (or more soy sauce), vegetable broth, sesame oil, and black pepper. Pour the sauce over the vegetables in the wok.
6. **Combine Everything:** Add the cooked noodles and tofu to the wok. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce and heated through.
7. **Serve:** Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately.
**Recipe 4: Speedy Pork Pancit Canton with Chinese Sausage**
This recipe combines ground pork and the distinctive flavor of Chinese Sausage for a sweet and savory flavor profile.
**Ingredients:**
* 8 oz Pancit Canton (egg noodles), pre-cooked
* 1 tbsp vegetable oil
* 1/2 lb ground pork
* 2 Chinese Sausages (Lap Cheong), thinly sliced
* 1 small onion, thinly sliced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup shredded cabbage
* 1/2 cup sliced carrots
* 1/4 cup soy sauce
* 2 tbsp oyster sauce
* 1/2 cup chicken broth
* 1 tbsp sesame oil
* Ground black pepper to taste
* Chopped green onions for garnish
**Instructions:**
1. **Sauté the Pork and Sausage:** Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and Chinese sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through and the sausage is slightly browned. Break up the pork with a spoon as it cooks.
2. **Sauté the Aromatics:** Add the onion and garlic to the wok and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
3. **Stir-fry the Vegetables:** Add the cabbage and carrots to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly softened.
4. **Add the Sauce:** In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, chicken broth, sesame oil, and black pepper. Pour the sauce over the pork, sausage and vegetables in the wok.
5. **Combine Everything:** Add the cooked noodles to the wok. Toss everything together until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce and heated through.
6. **Serve:** Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately.
**Tips for Even Faster Pancit**
* **Prep Ahead:** Chop your vegetables and measure out your sauce ingredients in advance to save time during cooking.
* **Use Pre-Cooked Ingredients:** Purchase pre-cooked noodles, shredded chicken, or other pre-cooked ingredients to further reduce cooking time.
* **One-Pan Cooking:** Use a large wok or skillet to cook everything in one pan, minimizing cleanup.
* **Don’t Overcook the Noodles:** Overcooked noodles will become mushy. Cook them just until they are tender-crisp.
* **Adjust the Sauce to Your Liking:** Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add more soy sauce for saltiness, oyster sauce for umami, or black pepper for spice.
* **Use Frozen Vegetables:** Frozen vegetables are a convenient and affordable option. Just add them to the wok directly from the freezer.
* **Get Creative with Leftovers:** Use leftover cooked meat, vegetables, or rice to create a unique and flavorful pancit.
**Variations & Customization**
The beauty of pancit is its versatility. Here are some ideas for customizing your quick and easy pancit:
* **Spicy Pancit:** Add chili flakes, sriracha, or a chopped chili pepper to the sauce for a spicy kick.
* **Sweet and Sour Pancit:** Add a splash of vinegar and a pinch of sugar to the sauce for a sweet and sour flavor.
* **Garlic Pancit:** Add extra minced garlic to the wok for a bolder garlic flavor.
* **Seafood Pancit:** Use a combination of shrimp, squid, and fish for a seafood-rich pancit.
* **Mushroom Pancit:** Add a variety of mushrooms, such as shiitake, oyster, or button mushrooms, for an earthy flavor.
* **Pancit with Eggs:** Scramble eggs and add them to the pancit for extra protein and richness.
* **Pancit Palabok Inspired:** While a true Palabok takes time, you can quickly create a similar flavor by adding annatto powder to your sauce to give it a reddish hue, and topping the final product with crushed chicharon and shrimp.
**Serving Suggestions**
* Serve pancit hot, straight from the wok.
* Garnish with chopped green onions, fried garlic, and lemon or calamansi wedges.
* Serve as a main course for lunch or dinner.
* Serve as a side dish to grilled meats or fish.
* Pancit is also a popular dish for potlucks and parties.
**Nutritional Information (Approximate)**
Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used. However, a typical serving of quick and easy pancit will provide a good source of carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins. Be mindful of sodium content, as soy sauce and oyster sauce can be high in sodium.
**Conclusion**
Quick and easy pancit recipes are a lifesaver for busy weeknights. With a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal in under 20 minutes. So, experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own signature pancit recipe. Happy cooking!
**FAQ: Quick & Easy Pancit**
* **Can I use different types of noodles?** Yes, feel free to experiment with different types of noodles, such as spaghetti or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb option.
* **Can I make this ahead of time?** Pancit is best served fresh, but you can prepare the sauce and vegetables ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Add the noodles and protein just before serving.
* **How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?** Toss the noodles with a little oil after cooking them to prevent them from sticking.
* **What if I don’t have oyster sauce?** You can substitute oyster sauce with more soy sauce or a small amount of fish sauce.
* **Is pancit gluten-free?** Not all pancit is gluten-free. Pancit bihon (rice noodles) is gluten-free, but pancit canton (egg noodles) is not. Be sure to check the label of your noodles to ensure they are gluten-free if you have a gluten intolerance.
* **Can I freeze leftover pancit?** Freezing is not recommended as it alters the texture of the noodles. It is always best to consume it immediately.