Maggi Magic Meals Recipe Solution: Afritada

The concept of one pot cooking got my attention. You know how I like "tamad" recipes.

It has two separate compartments in one pouch. The upper contains the Magic Cooking Bag that looks like a plain clear plastic bag but actually it's a non toxic, food grade, heat resistant cooking bag and the lower part contains the seasoning mix. I got the Afritada variant.

It claims to make "Easy-licious Magic Afrirada in just 5 easy steps" by cooking the viand in the Magic Bag together with your rice inside the electric rice cooker. Got your eyebrows raised? Yep, mine too. So does it mean there's a genie in the bag? Well not exactly but the bag actually helps seal the nutrients in while cooking but it has some drawbacks.

Pros: Easy preparation, affordable, pre-measured seasoning, no fuss, one pot cooking so you don't need to wash additional pans.The taste is somewhat like carenderia variety of Afritada which is not bad. You don't need any oil for "gisa" or sautéing garlic and onions.

Cons: Presentation wise, it doesn't pass for food photography. Some potatoes were not cooked thoroughly so I needed to microwave it about 5 minutes or more.

Would I purchase again?: Maybe. For emergencies only a.k.a. when i feel lazy to cook. But I wouldn't want to cook like this everyday. Old fashioned method still is the best. No shortcuts.

I would also like to try the other Chicken Pastel, Lechon Paksiw and Bicol Express variants soon.

Front packaging

Back packaging

The Magic Bag from the upper compartment

I prepared cubed chicken breasts, bell pepper, potatoes and frozen peas and carrots which I substituted for the fresh carrots.

Everything goes inside the Magic bag.

Add the pre measured seasoning from the lower pouch.

Add 1/4 cup of water.

Tie a knot to seal and lightly knead the pouch to mix everything inside.

Place inside the rice cooker with the washed uncooked rice with the usual amount of water.

Flatten it to make sure it's evenly cooked.

Let's hope it says what it claims.

After 45 minutes, it looks like this. The rice is cooked but let's see if the Afritada is cooked as well.

Careful when transferring to a serving dish. Hot, hot,  hot.

Not so photogenic. 

The chicken clumped together when cooked because you never get stir it while inside the pot. 

You actually can't.

Tastes okay like your carenderia variety Afritada but the potatoes needed more cooking because it was still crunchy. Ugh! But microwaving does the trick.

Maybe I need to slice the potatoes a little smaller.

But on the other hand, this would be great for boy scout camping food idea.

Happy eats!