Bulalo or Pochero

Bulalo or Pochero

Bulalo, or known in the Visayas as Pochero, is an osso bucco stew usually served with lots of plain steamed rice. The rich broth is poured over rice and the flavoursome marrow is the star of the meal. Contrary to popular belief that it is of Southeast Asian origin, the Bulalo seems to have originated from the Morrocan Tagine given the exact replica of ingredients used – garlic, onions, ginger, peppercorns, bay leaves, potato. Spanish cuisine seems to have been heavily influenced by neighbouring Morocco which you can actually see from the southern tip of Spain. The Spanish may brought the tagines to the Philippines which also include afritada, caldereta, tinola, mechado and menudo which are popular for home cooking in the archipelago.