Pinakbet

Pinakbet is a popular Filipino dish that originates from the Ilocos region in the northern part of the Philippines. It is a vegetable dish that is traditionally made with a combination of different vegetables such as eggplant, okra, bitter melon, string beans, squash, and tomatoes, cooked in a shrimp paste sauce.

To prepare pinakbet, the vegetables are sautéed in garlic, onions, and ginger until they are tender. Shrimp paste or bagoong is then added to the mixture, along with some water and sometimes pork or shrimp. The dish is then simmered until the flavors meld together.

Pinakbet is a flavorful and nutritious dish that is often served with steamed rice. It is also commonly eaten with grilled or fried fish or meat. Some variations of pinakbet include the addition of other ingredients such as pork belly or shrimp, and some recipes call for the vegetables to be lightly fried before being mixed with the sauce.

Here's a simple recipe for Pinakbet:

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-sized eggplant, sliced
• 6-8 pieces okra, trimmed
• 1 medium-sized bitter melon (ampalaya), sliced
• 10-12 pieces long beans (sitaw), cut into 2-inch lengths
• 1 small squash, peeled and sliced
• 2 medium-sized tomatoes, sliced
• 1 medium-sized onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, sliced into thin strips
• 2 tablespoons shrimp paste (bagoong)
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the garlic, onions, and ginger until fragrant and the onions are translucent.
2. Add the sliced eggplant, okra, bitter melon, long beans, and squash to the pan. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the sliced tomatoes to the pan and continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the shrimp paste to the pan and mix well with the vegetables.
5. Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer until the vegetables are cooked and the sauce has thickened, about 10-15 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Enjoy your homemade Pinakbet!