Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (2024)

BY :Bebs | Published: | Updated: | 4 Comments

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5 from 2 votes

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Try this Cansi (Kansi) recipe, a hearty and comforting Ilonggo sour soup with tender beef shanks, unripe jackfruit, batwan, and chilis made extra tasty with annatto seeds. This flavorful soup is perfect for those gloomy, chilly days that would keep you toasty warm from head to toe!

Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (1)
  • What is Cansi?
  • Other Hearty Soup Recipes
  • Ingredients
  • What is batwan?
  • Cooking Tips
  • Recipe Video
  • Serving and Storing Tips
  • Printable Recipe
  • Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe

What is Cansi?

Cansi or Kansi is a hearty beef soup popularly known for its tangy and fresh flavor that is known to have originated from Bacolod and is staple dish in the Ilonggo culture. This soup is normally made from a broth of beef shanks with green jackfruit, chili peppers, and batuan (batwan).

Many say this Ilonggo delicacy is a fusion of Bulalo and Sinigang. Similar to Bulalo, because of the use of beef shanks and bone marrows. Meanwhile, Kansi has the same lip-smacking sour and tangy flavors much like Sinigang. The one unique component is the use of green jackfruit as a vegetable or extender.

Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (2)

Cansi's fork-tender beef is loved by many. The beef shanks are boiled over low heat to achieve the desired tenderness. You may simmer the meat in a pot or, better yet, in a pressure cooker to cut down on the cooking time.

Most of the time Cansi is distinguished for its yellowish or orangey soup. Some locals add atsuete to the broth to make it extra appetizing but it also adds an extra savory taste and aroma to the dish.

Other Hearty Soup Recipes

Ingredients

Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (7)
  • Beef Shanks- Cansi usually uses beef shanks as its meat. If unavailable, you may use beef cuts like beef short ribs, beef bone, or oxtail to keep and achieve a similar taste and texture. These cuts are best for making flavorful beef soups.
  • Batwan- as souring-agent
  • Unripe or green jackfruit- has a neutral taste and a meaty, stringy texture similar to meat. If fresh langka is unavailable, you may use the canned one.
  • Onion- yellow onion is best for cooking soups. If not available, you may also use white onion.
  • Lemon grass-is optional but it gives the soup a mild citrusy flavor and aroma.
  • Green and Red Chilis- add a kick of spice to your soup. You may chop the chilis to add more heat to the soup.
  • Achuete Seeds- is optional, you may also use annatto powder as a substitute. (see Tips)

What is batwan?

Batuan or batwan is a plant that is endemic to the Visayan region with its green, round fruits that are used mainly as a souring agent in many Ilonggo dishes and are especially known and preferred in cooking Kansi. It is called binukaw in Tagalog from the scientific name Garcinia Binucao.

Alternative to batwan for Kansi?

Since it is a native fruit in the Western Visayas region, chances are it is not available in all local stores. But here are some alternative souring agents that you can use for your Kansi recipe:

  • Kamias- is a small, green fruit that has a sour taste. It is used in various Filipino dishes as well.
  • Tamarind (Sampaloc)- is a pod-like, brown fruit known for its sweet and sour taste. If not available, you can opt-in using Tamarind Sinigang Mix.

Cooking Tips

Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (8)
  • To prepare the unripe jackfruit, cut off the skin until you get to the smooth surface. Cut into quarters and remove the inner white part of each piece. Depending on the recipe, cut the green jackfruit into the desired size.
  • Prepare the lemongrass by peeling off the outer layers of the stalks until you reach the lighter core. Pound the white part a few times to release its flavor. Tie them together into a knot.
  • Parboiling the beef shanks helps remove the impurities for a clearer broth. But if you are in a hurry, you may skip this and just thoroughly rinse and drain the beef shanks. Do not forget to skim any scum that may float on top.
  • If using annatto powder, take about ½ cup of the broth, stir in about a tablespoon of annatto powder until dissolved, then add to the pot.
  • To reduce the cooking time, use a pressure cooker to tenderize the meat if available.

Recipe Video

Serving and Storing Tips

Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (9)

Locals enjoy eating Kansi piping hot served with steamed rice and patis (fish sauce) with calamansi as a dipping sauce.

Allow leftovers to cool completely before storing them in the refrigerator. Do not leave it at room temperature for longer than four hours, especially on a hot day. Transfer them to a container with a tight-fitting lid. It should last for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place in a sauce pot and simmer over medium heat until heated.

Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (10)

Printable Recipe

Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (11)

Print Review

Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Try this Cansi recipe, a hearty and comforting Ilonggo sour soup with tender beef shanks, unripe jackfruit, batwan, and chilis made extra tasty with annatto seeds.

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Course :Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Servings =6

Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2-3 pounds beef shanks
  • 6-8 cups water
  • 1 tbsp rock salt
  • 1 medium onion sliced
  • 1 stalk lemongrass tied into a knot
  • salt to taste
  • 5-6 pcs batwan
  • 1 tbsp annatto seeds
  • 3 cups unripe jackfruit sliced
  • 3 pcs green chilis
  • 2 pcs red chilis

Instructions

  • 2-3 pounds beef shanks, 6-8 cups water, 1 tbsp rock salt

    Place beef shanks in a pot and add water and salt. Cover and cook over high heat and bring to a rolling boil.

  • Drain the water from the pot. Rinse the meat and the pot.

  • Return the meat to the pot and add enough water to cover the meat. Cover and bring to a boil over low heat.

  • 1 medium onion, 1 stalk lemongrass, salt

    Remove the cover and add onion, lemongrass, and salt to taste. Cover and simmer until beef is fork-tender.

  • 5-6 pcs batwan

    Add the batwan, cover the pot again and cook until soft.

  • 1 tbsp annatto seeds

    Place annatto seeds in a small fine-mesh sieve/ strainer. Submerge it into the pot and press to release the color.

  • 3 cups unripe jackfruit, 3 pcs green chilis, 2 pcs red chilis

    Add unripe langka and cook until tender. Add chilis and simmer for about 3 mins.

  • Remove from heat and serve while piping hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 211kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 22gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 1254mgPotassium: 793mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 3mg

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

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Comments

    What do you think?

  1. Ma. Irene Galvan says

    Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (24)
    As a native Bacolodnon Cansi is my favorite ilonggo dish. But I want to know if it’s a typographical error when you mentioned in the second part of the paragraph that it’s a staple in ilocos region, since batuan can only be found in panay areas. Thank you. I always get recipes from your site…🥰

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      Hi Irene, yep, hehe...thanks for brining it to my attention and it is now corrected. Glad you are enjoying our recipes, btw... 🙂

      Reply

  2. Odessa says

    any replacement for batwan please

    Reply

    • Bebs says

      You can also use tamarind or other souring agents available to you.

      Reply

Cansi - Authentic Ilonggo Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning of Cansi? ›

Cansí (Hiligaynon: kansi) is a Filipino beef soup originating from Bacolod which is spread across the rest of the Western Visayas region. It is made with beef shank and bone marrow boiled until gelatinous. It is uniquely slightly soured with fruits like batuan or bilimbi.

What is the difference between bulalo and kansi? ›

Cansi is the Ilonggo version of Bulalo and Sinigang combined. It is a type of beef soup with a sour broth. Beef shanks are often used to cook this dish. This recipe version is what I use every time I crave for it.

What is a substitute for the fruit Batuan? ›

Alternative to batwan for Kansi?
  • Kamias - is a small, green fruit that has a sour taste. It is used in various Filipino dishes as well.
  • Tamarind (Sampaloc) - is a pod-like, brown fruit known for its sweet and sour taste. If not available, you can opt-in using Tamarind Sinigang Mix.
Nov 28, 2022

What is kanse Ilonggo? ›

Kansi or Cansi is an Ilonggo soup made with beef shanks, green jackfruit, chili peppers, and batwan, a fruit native to Western Visayas traditionally used as a souring agent in dishes such as KBL (Kadyos, Baboy at Langka) and pinalmahan (Ilonggo-style paksiw).

Why do Filipinos love bulalo? ›

Bulalo is ranked as one of the top Nilaga (boiled) dishes in the Philippines due to its rich taste and very satisfying broth. Unlike others, like Nilagang Baka of Beef Soup Bones, which are either too bony with not enough meat or too meaty with not enough bone.

What does bulalo mean in Tagalog? ›

Bulalô (Tagalog: [bʊˈlɐlɔʔ]) is a beef dish from the Philippines. It is a light colored soup that is made by cooking beef shanks and bone marrow until the collagen and fat has been melted into the clear broth.

What is the tiny Filipino fruit? ›

Calamansi. This tropical fruit is not eaten as a snack, but it is a staple in many Filipino sauces, dishes such as kinilaw and as a calamansi tea. Also called the Philippine lemon, this tiny green fruit has a sour juice that resembles a lemon, making it a great addition for seasoning meats and as a condiment.

What fruit tastes most like passionfruit? ›

Because of similar familial features, such as the seeds and sweet/tart gelatinous pulp, passion fruits and granadillas can slip in for one another in many recipes. Just take into account the slight flavor variations and the larger granadilla seeds, which could overly dominate delicate mixed drinks or custards.

What fruit is closest to passionfruit? ›

The juice and the seeds inside are very similar to those in passion fruit. Granadilla is grafted into passion fruit pattern for growing. Granadilla are species of of pomegranate and so is passion fruit. Granadilla often has a sweeter taste as opposed to the often bitter aftertaste to passion fruit.

Is bulalo and Nilagang Baka the same? ›

Bulalo is a dish, a beef soup, and the highlight of it is bone marrow. If there is no bone marrow, it is not bulalo, it is “nilagang baka”. Both tastes basically the same, unless you really want the exotic creamy taste of bone marrow.

What is the other name for kansi? ›

Synonyms For Bronze , Similar to Bronze

The other meanings are Kansi and Kansi Ka Rang. By form, the word Bronze is an noun. It is spelled as [bronz].

Are Nilaga and bulalo the same? ›

The nilaga is actually a beef broth while the bulalo is a beef stock. The difference is this: A broth is made with meaty cubes. This can be beef cubes as the case is for the nilaga or chicken or pork cubes for those basic broths. A stock recipe, however, is always made with bones.

What is the difference of beef nilaga and bulalo? ›

The bulalo is named after the main ingredients, the beef shank, while the more generic nilaga is made with meaty beef cubes. However, it's the kind of soup that is made that matters to your taste buds. Bulalo is a beef stock and nilaga is a beef broth.

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