The Holy Week is fast-approaching! As a country with a predominantly Catholic population, having to abstain from meat for one whole week is not an easy feat, especially when meat happens to be the center of almost all our Filipino dishes.

But don’t fret! You don’t have to stick with nakakasawang fish recipes to serve for the family. For this coming week of self-reflection, it’s best to think ahead of what isda recipes to serve for the family. With just the right amount of creativity in the kitchen, you can make fun and exciting fish dishes at home!

Here are 5 tasty, Lent-appropriate Pinoy fish ulam recipes to try this Holy Week. Isang tikim lang, siguradong #feelingblessed ka talaga!

Let’s start off with a classic! Sinigang is a Filipino recipe that everyone loves. What’s so wonderful about this recipe is that you can be creative by playing around with different souring agents and meats. For this coming Holy Week, try nating maging kakaiba! Let’s use Tanigue as our main meat, and watermelon as our souring agent! Easy lang ‘to.

Get a pot, pour in some water, and let it boil. Add your sliced tomatoes, onions, and gabi. Using your ladle, crush the tomatoes. Add your Tanigue steak, and let it all boil for 5 minutes. Once it’s all steamy, add tamarind paste, fish sauce, and AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning. Mix it all well and let it simmer for a good 5 minutes.

Next, add string beans and watermelon, and let it simmer some more. Once it’s cooked, turn off the heat and add in your kangkong leaves. Cover the pot to further cook your greens. If it’s already smelling good, it’s time to serve!

Try our SINIGANG NA TANIGUE SA PAKWAN RECIPE made more nakakatakam with AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

Pwedeng pang-merienda, pwede ring ulam! This next fish recipe is an automatic favorite. It’s easy and affordable to make. May dip pang kasama para mas exciting! If you’re looking for a heavenly fish recipe for Holy Week, this is it!

Let’s start off by combining canned tuna flakes, chopped red onion, beaten egg, carrots, cheese, all-purpose flour, and AJI-SHIO® Garlic Seasoning Mix (18g). This will serve as our batter to make our bite-sized meatballs. Remember to mix it well until all the lumps are gone.

Using your hands, roll the batter into 1-inch balls. Make sure that your hands are clean when you do this step. When your meatballs are all rolled up, it’s time to deep dry it! Keep an eye on the meatballs until they’re golden brown. Serve while it’s hot!

Try our CANNED LUNCH MEATBALLS RECIPE  made more tasty with AJI-SHIO® Garlic Seasoning Mix (18g).

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes

If you’re on the hunt for something healthy but tasty this Holy Week, this next dish is for you. To gain a more fresh outlook during a week of self-reflection, having a fresh and healthy diet helps. Try this easy-to-make, guilt-free fish recipe this Lenten season! Masarap at magaan sa feeling!

In a bowl, coat your fish evenly with CRISPY FRY® Fish Breading Mix. Ready your pan with heated oil and deep-fry your fish until it’s crispy and golden. Drain the fish and set it aside as we make our salad.

In a serving platter, arrange your lettuce, mangoes, tomatoes, shallots, and chili. Top it with your crispy fish. For the dressing, combine calamansi, vinegar, sugar, and cilantro. You may serve it on the side, or drizzled over the salad—it’s your call! Enjoy!

Try our THAI CRISPY DISH SALAD RECIPE made more delicious with CRISPY FRY® Fish Breading Mix.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes

And since the Holy Week falls on the sunny and bright days of summer, there should be a Pinoy fish recipe on your list that will fit the mood! Try this Grilled Pineapple Tuna recipe that has the right balance of savor and tang. Serve this for your family on a bright lunch day this coming Holy Week!

Let’s start off by making the marinade. Get a bowl and mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, pepper, sesame oil, and SARSAYA® Oyster Sauce. Mix it well! Add your tuna in the marinade mixture and let it soak in the flavors for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator. Once the tuna is well-marinated, it’s time to grill!

In a heated grill pan, grill tuna steak on both sides. Get those beautiful grill marks! Set your fish aside and grill your pineapple slices. When you serve, brush the tuna and the pineapple with the excess marinade mixture. Plate it up, and enjoy!

Try our GRILLED PINEAPPLE TUNA RECIPE made more nakakatakam with SARSAYA® Oyster Sauce.

Preparation time: 5 minutes (plus marination time)
Cooking time: 20 minutes

Buttery, tangy, heavenly—this ulam dish is a must-try during the Lenten season. Surprise your family with tender salmon fillets swimming in a mouthwatering lemon butter sauce. This Pinoy recipe is a gift from above! Bless your family and cook this dish for them this coming Holy Week!

Get a roasting pan and place your salmon slab. Season it nicely with salt and AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning. Set this aside as we make the sauce. In a saucepan, melt your butter and add honey, garlic, and slices of lemon. Mix it all well until it’s nicely blended. Drizzle this buttery mixture on top of the salmon slab, and roast the salmon for about 15-18 minutes. Slice it, serve it, and enjoy!

Try our HONEY LEMON BUTTER SALMON RECIPE made more delightful with AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

If you’re looking for something simple and modest to serve for your family this coming Holy Week, you can never go wrong with this classic Filipino ulam—Crispy Tawilis! Crunchy, flavorful, at makakarami ka talaga ng rice! It’s so easy to cook. Try niyo na!

Start by washing your store-bought Tawilis and make sure to drain the excess moisture. Dapat dry ang fish para lalong crispy when fried! Next, coat each piece with CRISPY FRY® Fish Breading Mix. Pat off excess breading mix para hindi maging lumpy ang fish! When that’s done, fry it in oil until it’s nicely cooked, then serve!

Try our FRIED TAWILIS RECIPE made more crunchy and tasty with CRISPY FRY® Fish Breading Mix.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

And if you want to make something creative and exciting this Holy Week, try making your very own Gourmet Tuyo! You can customize the recipe, design the packaging, and share it with your loved ones just in time for Holy Week!

First, fry your tuyo until it’s nicely cooked. Set this aside, and get another pan. Combine olive oil, garlic, chilis, bay leaves, carrots, and AJI-SHIO® Garlic Seasoning Mix (18g). Over low heat, cook the mixture until it’s fragrant. Let it cool for a bit!

Next, get your fried tuyo and remove its scale, head, and spine. Once you have the tuyo fillets, carefully pack them vertically into your sterilized glass jars. Pour in the olive oil infused mixture, then seal the jars tightly! Store it for at least a month, then enjoy your Gourmet Tuyo! Kanin lang ang kapares, panalo na!

Try our GOURMET TUYO RECIPE made more crunchy and tasty with CRISPY FRY® Fish Breading Mix.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

Cherish the Holy Week by spending quality time with the family and cooking for them these hearty Pinoy fish ulam recipes. Remember to also make the days more meaningful with self-reflection and future-planning! For more yummy fish recipes, visit https://www.ajinomoto.com.ph/cookmunity/! Happy cooking!