3 Work and School Baon Ideas from HBO’s ‘Selena + Chef’

Air-Fried “Buttermilk” Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a baon staple–now, you can add a twist to your typical fried chicken with buttermilk!

Buttermilk is not a typical grocery find, but you can use regular milk with a dash of vinegar instead. We also recommend air-frying to make it healthier (and if you’re looking for a smart air fryer, check out the Xiaomi Mi Air Fryer)!

From AllRecipes Official Website

Selena teamed up with chef and restaurateur Tanya Holland for her delicious take on buttermilk fried chicken. We’ve adapted an easier recipe for you to follow!

Ingredients:

• ¾ kg boneless and skinless chicken thighs
• 2 cups milk
• Vinegar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. salt
• ½ tbsp. black pepper
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• Cooking spray

Procedure:

• In a bowl, mix the milk and vinegar. Add the chicken and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat your air fryer to 190 degrees C.
• Prepare two bowls: one for the flour, salt, and pepper, and another for the bread crumbs. Dredge the chicken thighs in your dry ingredients, then dip the chicken back into the buttermilk. Coat the meat with bread crumbs.
• Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the thighs in the basket, making sure none are touching, and spray the chicken with cooking spray.
• Cook in your air fryer for 15 minutes. Flip the chicken and spray the other side. Cook for about 10 more minutes, or until the juices run clear and the chicken is cooked through. Repeat with the remaining thighs, and let them cool before adding them to your lunchbox.

Baja Fried Rice

Here’s a fresh and unique way to spice up your leftover white rice!

Baja is a fusion of Mexican,  Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines to create flavorful dishes that showcase the produce and seafood in Baja, California.

Chef Angelo Sosa guested on Selena + Chef to teach the singer-songwriter his Baja-Style Fried Rice. Now, you can try this simpler version for your next packed lunch!

From MeatlessBelly Official Website

Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups cooked white rice
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ tsp. fresh ginger, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1-2 carrots, finely sliced
• 1 red onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1-2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 tbsp. sesame oil
• 1 tbsp. turmeric
• 2-3 tbsp. oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup shrimp, peeled
• 1-3 chili peppers, sliced (adjust according to your preference!)
• Chopped green onions
• 1 lime wedge

Procedure:

• In a wok (kawali), add the sesame oil.
• Fry the egg on the wok, mixing until it’s scrambled.
• Add the ginger, garlic, onion, and chilis, and cook for one minute.
• Place the corn, carrots, bell pepper, and celery and fry until tender.
• Add the shrimp to the wok and fry until almost fully cooked.
• Mix the rice, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and turmeric with the rest of your ingredients.
• Turn off the heat and add a drizzle of sesame oil.
• Top with green onions and squeeze the lime wedge onto the rice. Give it one more mix and let cool before packing.

Cinnamon-Sugar Bunuelos

Selena prepared this dish with chef Marcela Valladolid, host of the series “Mexican Made Easy.” Thankfully, Marcela also shared this recipe on Food Network, so you can make it at home!

From Food Network Official Website

Ingredients:

• 6 flour tortillas, cut into strips
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon powder

Procedure:

• Mix the sugar and cinnamon on a plate.
• Add enough oil to cover half of the pan in a medium pan.
• Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Drop a piece of tortilla, and it should sizzle when it touches the oil.
• Fry the tortilla strips until golden brown, and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
• Transfer the crisps to the cinnamon-sugar mixture and coat them evenly.

Get more baon ideas from Selena + Chef, only on HBO Go

Selena + Chef is now in its fourth season! This series has so many dishes you can replicate at home. So make it part of your HBO Go watchlist, and enjoy seamless streaming with your PLDT Home Fiber Plus plan!