How to Cook Pinakbet Ilocano (with Step-by-Step Instructions)

Pinakbet is a popular dish in the Ilocos region of the Philippines. It is a stew made with vegetables, meat, and seafood, and is often served with rice. Pinakbet is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. In this article, we will show you how to cook Pinakbet Ilocano, the traditional way.

Ingredients Instructions Tips
1 pound pork belly, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound okra, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound long beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup garlic, minced
1 cup ginger, minced
1/2 cup fish sauce
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1 bunch cilantro, for garnish
1. In a large pot or wok, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Add the pork belly and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque.
4. Add the eggplant, okra, long beans, and green beans and cook until softened.
5. Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, and ginger and cook until fragrant.
6. Add the fish sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and water and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
8. Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.
– Use fresh, seasonal vegetables for the best flavor.
– If you don’t have pork belly, you can use chicken, beef, or tofu.
– You can also add other vegetables, such as bitter melon, chayote, or squash.
– Serve with rice or noodles.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pork belly, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 pound snake beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 pound okra, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 large eggplant, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 head of cabbage, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 bunch of water spinach, chopped
  • 1 bunch of kangkong, chopped
  • 10 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup coconut milk

Steps

1. In a large pot or wok over medium heat, heat the oil.
2. Add the pork belly and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque.
4. Add the green beans, snake beans, okra, eggplant, cabbage, water spinach, and kangkong.
5. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
6. Add the garlic, onion, fish sauce, vinegar, black pepper, and salt.
7. Stir-fry for 1 minute.
8. Add the water and coconut milk.
9. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
10. Serve hot with rice.

How To Cook Pinakbet Ilocano?

Pinakbet is a popular Ilocano dish made with vegetables, meat, and fish. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pork belly, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound fish fillet, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 bunch kangkong (water spinach), cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 bunch pechay (Chinese cabbage), cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 bunch okra, cut into 1-inch pieces

Instructions

1. In a large pot or wok, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Add the pork belly and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque.
4. Add the fish fillet and cook until cooked through.
5. Add the onion, garlic, and tomato and cook until softened.
6. Add the green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and kangkong and cook until the vegetables are wilted.
7. Add the water, fish sauce, vinegar, salt, and black pepper and bring to a boil.
8. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
9. Add the pechay and okra and cook for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are bright green.
10. Serve immediately.

Tips

  • To make the dish more flavorful, you can use pork shoulder instead of pork belly.
  • If you don’t have any shrimp or fish, you can omit them from the recipe.
  • You can also add other vegetables to the dish, such as eggplant, bitter melon, or squash.
  • To make the dish more spicy, you can add some chili peppers.
  • To make the dish more sour, you can add more vinegar.
  • To make the dish more salty, you can add more fish sauce.
  • To make the dish more umami, you can add some soy sauce.

Variations

  • Pinakbet can be made with different types of meat, such as chicken, beef, or tofu.
  • You can also use different types of vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots.
  • You can also add different seasonings, such as turmeric, cumin, or coriander.
  • Pinakbet can be served as a main dish or as a side dish.

Pinakbet is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So next time you are looking for a hearty and flavorful dish, give Pinakbet a try!

How to Cook Pinakbet Ilocano?

Q: What are the ingredients for Pinakbet Ilocano?

A: The ingredients for Pinakbet Ilocano include:

  • 1 pound pork belly, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 pound snake beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 pound okra, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 head of cabbage, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 bunch of green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 bunch of pechay, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 10 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon patis (shrimp paste)
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water

Q: How do I cook Pinakbet Ilocano?

A: To cook Pinakbet Ilocano, follow these steps:

1. In a large pot or wok, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Add the pork belly and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque.
4. Add the snake beans, okra, eggplant, cabbage, green beans, and pechay and cook until the vegetables are softened.
5. Add the garlic, onion, tomatoes, fish sauce, patis, black pepper, and salt and cook for 2 minutes more.
6. Add the water and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through.
8. Serve immediately with rice.

Q: What are some tips for making Pinakbet Ilocano?

A: Here are some tips for making Pinakbet Ilocano:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients.
  • Cook the vegetables until they are just tender, not mushy.
  • Season the dish with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve immediately with rice.

Q: What are some variations on Pinakbet Ilocano?

A: There are many variations on Pinakbet Ilocano, depending on the region of the Philippines where it is made. Some common variations include:

  • Adding tofu or tempeh to the dish
  • Using different types of vegetables, such as bitter melon, chayote, or squash
  • Adding different types of meat, such as chicken or fish
  • Using different types of seafood, such as squid or mussels
  • Adding different spices or herbs, such as chili peppers, ginger, or lemongrass

Q: What are some side dishes that go well with Pinakbet Ilocano?

A: Some side dishes that go well with Pinakbet Ilocano include:

  • Rice
  • Steamed white rice
  • Fried rice
  • Garlic rice
  • Plain rice
  • Coconut rice
  • Brown rice
  • Black rice

Q: What are some drinks that go well with Pinakbet Ilocano?

A: Some drinks that go well with Pinakbet Ilocano include:

  • Beer
  • Adobo rice wine
  • Tuba
  • San Miguel Pale Pilsen
  • San Miguel Super Dry
  • Beer
  • White wine
  • Red wine

Q: Where can I find Pinakbet Ilocano?

A: Pinakbet Ilocano is a popular dish in the Philippines, so it can be found in many restaurants and food stalls throughout the country. It can also be found in some Filipino restaurants in other countries.

Pinakbet is a delicious and hearty Ilocano dish that is perfect for a family meal. It is made with a variety of vegetables, including okra, eggplant, bitter melon, and string beans, and is flavored with shrimp paste, fish sauce, and chili peppers. Pinakbet is a simple dish to make, but it is packed with flavor. It is also very affordable, making it a great option for a budget-friendly meal. If you are looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy vegetables, give Pinakbet a try!

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Kelsey Hammons
Kelsey Hammons
I was born and raised in the fabulous state of Maryland but recently decided to pack up my stuff and move to the Midwest city they call Chicago.

I hope to capture all of my life’s adventures of living in the windy city. AKA the food I cook, my journey to the Chicago Marathon, the books I read and the trashy TV shows I watch. I’m a health-nut, book-worm and exercise fiend.

Join me, Kelsey, on this exciting journey as I embrace the challenges and joys of my new life in Chicago. From mastering the art of healthy cooking to hitting the pavement for marathon training, my blog is a window into my world of self-discovery and fun.

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