Pinakbet Tagalog is a Filipino dish made of pork and vegetables such as eggplant, okra, bitter melon, long beans, and kalabasa. It's a delicious and nutritious dish served as a main entree or a side to fried fish or grilled meat.
Ingredients
1tablespoon olive oil
1onion, peeled and chopped
2clovesgarlic, peeled and minced
1/2poundpork belly, cut into 1-inch cubes
1tablespoonshrimp paste
2Roma tomatoes, chopped
2cupswater
1/2small kalabasa, peeled and cut into pieces
8okra, ends trimmed
1/2bunchlong beans, ends trimmed and cut into 3-inch lengths
1medium ampalaya (bittermelon), seeded, halved and cut into 1-inch thick
1large eggplant, ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch thick
salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
In pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring regularly, until softened.
Add pork and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Add shrimp paste and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown.
Add tomatoes and cook, mashing with the back of a spoon, until softened and have released juice.
Add water and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes or until meat is tender. Add more water in 1/2 cup increments as needed to maintain about 1 cup of liquid.
Add squash and cook for about 2 minutes or until almost tender.
Add long beans and continue to cook until tender-crisp.
Add ampalaya, eggplant, and okra. Continue to cook for about 4 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender yet crisp.