pinakbet

 

 Pinakbet is one of my favorite dishes.  

I have tried to cook this before but only now did I get it right.  :)  Here I will share what you need and how to cook this.

Ingredients:

bits of pork or any meat (sometimes i dont even add meat)

ampalaya or bitter gourd

eggplant

squash

tomato

okra if you want

string beans

shrimp paste

garlic 

onion

salt and pepper if desired

chop up all of the vegetables to desired shape, i just chop them into bite sized pieces.

It's so easy to do:

1.  Sautee garlic and onions on a medium wok or frying pan if you want, i like the wok better.  then add the tomatoes, add the shrimp paste.

2.  Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the ampalaya, squash, okra, eggplant and string beans.  cover the wok and just let the steam cook the vegetables.  you may add salt and pepper at this point. easy on the salt because the shrimp paste is already salty.  sometimes i dont even add salt anymore.

3.  After about 7-8 minutes, stir the vegetables in and then cover again for about 3 minues.

4.  Check if the vegetables are cooked and voila, you have pinakbet.  Best served hot!