The Homemaker’s Cookbook Recipe No. 43. “Pinakbet: A Burst of Color, Flavors, and Good Vibes!”
Pinakbet, a traditional Filipino dish, is a burst of color, flavors, and good vibes that will surely delight your taste buds. This vegetable-based dish is a medley of vibrant colors and a celebration of the bountiful harvest found in the Philippines. With its combination of different vegetables, succulent pork, and the umami taste of bagoong or shrimp paste, Pinakbet is a dish that will transport you to the sunny and joyful streets of the Philippines. Preparing Pinakbet is a breeze, and it won’t take up too much of your time. You can have this delightful dish on your table in just an hour, with only 15 minutes of preparation and 45 minutes of cooking. So even on busy days, you can still enjoy a delicious and hearty meal that will surely satisfy your cravings. Pinakbet is not only a flavorful dish but also a nutritious one. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, it provides a healthy balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. With its high vitamin A and C content, Pinakbet is perfect for boosting your immune system and promoting good eye health. So indulge in this vibrant dish without any guilt, knowing that you are nourishing your body with every bite.
Number of Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Nutritional Values per Serving:
- Calories: 345
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Vitamin A: 3500 IU
- Vitamin C: 40mg
- Iron: 2mg
Ingredients:
- 500g pork, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons bagoong or shrimp paste
- 1 small eggplant, sliced
- 1 bitter gourd (ampalaya), sliced
- 100-200 grams squash (calabasa), sliced
- 5-10 pcs long bean (sitaw), cut into 2-inch pieces
- 5 okra, sliced
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pan, heat the cooking oil over medium heat. Saute the minced garlic until golden brown, then add the sliced onions and tomatoes. Cook until the onions become translucent and the tomatoes soften.
- Add the pork to the pan and cook for 5 minutes or until slightly brown.
- Add water and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until tender. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Once the pork is cooked, add the bagoong or shrimp paste to the pan and stir well to combine with the meat.
- Add the vegetables – eggplant, bitter gourd, squash, yard-long beans, and okra – to the pan. Stir everything together, making sure the vegetables are coated with a flavorful sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 5 more minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked but still slightly crisp.
- Serve your Pinakbet hot and enjoy it with steamed rice. The combination of flavors and textures will surely delight your taste buds and leave you craving for more.
Pinakbet is not just a dish; it’s a celebration of Filipino culture, a burst of color, flavors, and good vibes that will transport you to the beautiful islands of the Philippines. With its vibrant ingredients, delicious flavors, and easy-to-follow cooking instructions, Pinakbet is a dish worth exploring. So gather your loved ones, embark on a culinary adventure, and savor the joy and goodness that Pinakbet brings to your table.
