Cuisine : Sinigang - How to make this popular Filipino food

 

Sinigang is another beloved Filipino dish known for its sour broth flavored with tamarind or other souring agents. It typically includes meat (pork, beef, shrimp, or fish) and a variety of vegetables. Here's a basic recipe for Pork Sinigang:

Ingredients:

- 500g pork belly or pork ribs, cut into serving pieces

- 1 large tomato, quartered

- 1 medium-sized onion, quartered

- 2-3 pieces green chili peppers (siling pansigang), optional

- 1 medium-sized daikon radish (labanos), peeled and sliced

- 1 medium-sized eggplant, sliced

- 1 bundle string beans (sitaw), cut into 2-inch lengths

- 1-2 pieces taro root (gabi), peeled and quartered

- 1 pack (40g) sinigang mix (tamarind soup base)

- 8-10 cups water

- Fish sauce (patis) or salt to taste

- Freshly ground black pepper to taste

- 2 cups spinach or kangkong (water spinach) leaves

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine water, pork, tomato, and onion. Bring to a boil and then simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours or until pork is tender. Skim off any scum that rises to the surface.

2. Once the pork is tender, add the taro root and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Add the daikon radish and simmer for another 5 minutes.

4. Stir in the sinigang mix until dissolved. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning with fish sauce or salt as needed. Add freshly ground black pepper to taste.

5. Add the eggplant, string beans, and green chili peppers (if using). Simmer for another 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are tender but not overcooked.

6. Finally, add the spinach or kangkong leaves and cook for another minute until wilted.

7. Serve hot with steamed rice. Sinigang is typically served with a dipping sauce of fish sauce, calamansi (or lemon), and chili peppers on the side.

Feel free to customize your Sinigang by adding other vegetables like okra, bok choy, or cabbage according to your preference. Enjoy!