Pinakbet Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 pound pork belly, cut into strips
• 1/4 cup shrimp paste (bagoong)
• 2 cups water
• 1 medium eggplant, cut into chunks
• 1 cup okra, trimmed
• 1 cup bitter melon, seeded and sliced
• 1 cup string beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 cup squash, cut into chunks
• 1/2 cup ampalaya leaves or spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat
2. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes
3. Add tomatoes and cook until softened, about 3 minutes
4. Add pork belly and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes
5. Stir in shrimp paste and cook for 1 minute
6. Add water and bring to a boil
7. Add eggplant, okra, bitter melon, string beans, and squash
8. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally
9. Add ampalaya leaves and cook for 2 more minutes
10. Season with salt and pepper to taste
11. Serve hot with steamed rice