The Best PINAKBET

This is a very popular vegetable dish from the northern regions of the Philippines. Pinakbet or Pakbet is one of the most popular Ilokano dishes. The word is derived from the Ilokano word pinakebbet, meaning shrunk, contracted or shriveled.

It is made up of different vegetables with a touch of pork. And the reason why it is very tasty and unique is because of the shrimp paste and the taste of ampalaya (bitter melon). No wonder my mom loves this dish a lot. This is actually one of her favorites.

Here's how it's done. :)

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 lb pork, cut into small pieces

1 medium-sized ampalaya (bitter melon). sliced

1 large egg plant, chopped

1/4 lb squash, chopped into cubes

3 tomatoes, chopped

1 piece onion, diced

1 tbsp ginger, minced

3 cloves garlic, crushed

6 pieces okra

1 bunch string beans, cut in 3 inches length

4 tbsp shrimp paste

1 cup water

3 tbsp cooking oil

2 tbsp fish sauce

green chilli

salt and pepper, all in one seasoning granules to taste

COOKING PROCEDURES:

- In a casserole or a wok, saute the garlic, onion, ginger and tomato

- Add the pork and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until color turns light brown.

- Put-in the shrimp paste and cook for 2 minutes.

- Add water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes or until pork is tender

- Add squash and cook for 7 minutes or until texture becomes soft

- Add the remaining vegetables and mix with the other ingredients.

- Simmer for 5 minutes or until all the vegetables are cooked. DO NOT OVERCOOK THE VEGIES.

ENJOY! :)

Posted in: VEGETABLES Filipino Recipe