Eating Jollibee in Australia (Chicken Joy, Burger Steak, Spaghetti Home Recipes for Anne)

Summary

In this video, the creator attempts to recreate popular Filipino fast food dishes from Jollibee, including Chicken Joy, Filipino Sweet Spaghetti, and Burger Steak. After refining previous attempts based on audience feedback, the video showcases the process of brining, coating, and frying the chicken to achieve a crispy exterior and tender interior. The spaghetti is made with sweet tomato sauce, ground beef, and hot dogs, while the burger steak is served with a rich mushroom gravy. Viewers are guided through each step, with tips on seasoning and adjustments for authenticity, bringing the taste of Jollibee to their kitchens.

Takeaways

• 😀 Brining chicken is a key step to achieving crispy and juicy Chicken Joy, with a salty brine solution enhancing flavor and moisture retention.
• 😀 The chicken is coated in a flour and cornstarch mixture with spices, and dipping it in cold water before re-coating adds extra crispiness.
• 😀 Cooking the chicken at a steady temperature of 120°C ensures a consistent, perfectly fried exterior.
• 😀 Jollibee’s chicken is believed to be brined, frozen, then thawed before frying to achieve its unique texture.
• 😀 Sweet Filipino spaghetti uses ground beef, red hot dogs, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and evaporated milk to create a rich, savory-sweet sauce.
• 😀 The spaghetti should be served separately from the sauce and topped with cheddar cheese for the authentic Jollibee experience.
• 😀 For Filipino spaghetti, personal taste is crucial, and adjustments with sugar, salt, and sweet ketchup are often necessary to achieve the desired sweetness.
• 😀 Burger Steak patties are seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, and are cooked until crispy for flavor intensity.
• 😀 The mushroom gravy for Burger Steak uses chicken stock and butter, creating a creamy, savory sauce that complements the beef patties perfectly.
• 😀 The key to recreating Jollibee dishes at home is balancing the flavors and textures, while also adjusting for ingredient availability.
• 😀 The cooking process is as much about nostalgia as it is about the food itself, with the ability to transport the cook back to a particular place or time.

Q & A

Why does the narrator miss Jollibee the most in Australia?

The narrator specifically misses the Filipino sweet spaghetti and Chicken Joy from Jollibee, as they are foods he has a deep connection with, especially during his time in the Philippines.

What important insights did the narrator gain about Jollibee's chicken preparation?

The narrator learned that Jollibee's chicken is brined, frozen, thawed, and then fried. The chicken is also dunked in iced water to help the flour stick, and the oil temperature is consistently kept at 120°C throughout the cooking process.

How does brining affect the flavor and moisture of the chicken?

Brining makes the chicken very salty, and most of the moisture and flavor comes from this step. The brine enhances the chicken's taste before it is coated and fried.

What substitution did the narrator make when preparing the brine, and why?

The narrator used stock powder instead of MSG, as he couldn't find MSG in local supermarkets. This substitution still added flavor to the brine.

What is the significance of the cold water in the coating process for the chicken?

The cold water helps the flour mixture stick to the chicken and contributes to a crisp exterior once the chicken is fried.

How long should the chicken be fried, and what factors influence the cooking time?

The chicken should be fried for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken. The narrator notes that chicken in Australia tends to be larger, which can affect cooking time.

What are the key ingredients for the gravy, and how is it made?

The gravy is made with butter, flour, chicken stock, milk, soy sauce, and seasoning. The ingredients are cooked together on low heat until the gravy thickens to the desired consistency.

How does the narrator adjust the spaghetti sauce to suit personal tastes?

The narrator suggests tasting the spaghetti sauce as it cooks and adjusting the seasoning with salt, pepper, sugar, or sweet ketchup. This allows the cook to tailor the sauce to their preferred sweetness.

What is the traditional way Jollibee serves its spaghetti, according to the narrator?

Jollibee serves the spaghetti with naked pasta topped with sauce and cheddar cheese, rather than mixing the pasta with the sauce.

What special technique does the narrator use for making burger steaks?

The narrator seasons the ground beef, shapes it into thin patties, and presses down the center to prevent the burgers from puffing up during cooking. This ensures even cooking and prevents the burgers from becoming bloated.