I'm starting a series called Pantry Favorites. These are my favorite Filipino products that I always keep in stock in my pantry. Today it's San Sebastian's Dried Herring (Tuyo) with garlic in olive oil.

Herring fish is salted and dried under the sun that's why it's called Tuyo (dried) in Filipino. Tuyo is then fried then bottled and filled with garlic and olive oil. This is a very convenient way of buying tuyo. You don't have to bother with frying the fish and the strong smell that goes with it.

I like San Sebastian's tuyo because it's not very salty. It's also firm yet tender. There is no fishy after taste. I've only seen this brand in Metro Gaisano supermarket, Pioneer Center supermarket and some kiosks in Market! Market!

There are several ways of eating tuyo but the most common is to eat it for breakfast with Sinangag (garlic fried rice) and fried egg.

Sinangag or Garlic Fried Rice
Ingredients:
2 cloves of garlic
1/4 tsp rock salt
1 cup rice, hot or cold
1 tablespoon Olive or Canola oil

Procedure:
1. Sprinkle rock salt on the garlic cloves. Use a knife and mash the salt into the garlic cloves.

3. Add oil to the teflon pan. If you use a regular pan you will need more oil.

4. Sauté the garlic until lightly browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

5. Add the rice and cook until the rice is thoroughly heated. Add salt to taste. Transfer to a plate and serve. Serves 1.