Pakbet or Pinakbet Tagalog Recipe

Pakbet tagalog is popular vegetable dish in Philippines, it is made-up of different fresh vegetables, pork, and shrimp paste. Pork is often added for flavor, but it is omitted during meatless days such as on Holy Week. Also this dish is a variation of the popular dish, Pakbet Ilokano, that originated from Northern Luzon specially in the Ilocos Region.

Shrimp Paste or "bagoong alamang" in the Philippines is alway available in the market, but in other countries you buy it from the Asian store.

Good for serving: 3 - 4 persons

Pakbet Tagalog Ingredients:

1/4 lb pork, thinly sliced
10-12 pieces shrimps, peeled and deveined (Optional)
1 large egg plant, chopped
1 medium-sized bitter melon, chopped
1/4 lb squash, chopped into 2×1 inch cubes
3 pieces large tomato, sliced
1 piece onion, sliced
1 tbsp ginger, minced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
6 to 8 pieces okra
1 bunch string beans, cut in 3 inches length
4 tbsp shrimp paste
1 cup water
3 tbsp cooking oil
salt and pepper to taste

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Pakbet Tagalog Instruction:

Heat the pan and put the cooking oil.
When oil is hot enough, saute the garlic, ginger, onion, and tomato
Add the pork and cook until color turns light brown (about 5 to 8 minutes)
Put-in the shrimp paste and cook for 2 minutes.
Add water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until pork is tender
Add shrimps then put-in the squash and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until texture becomes soft
Add the remaining vegetables and mix with the other ingredients.
Simmer for 5 minutes or until all the vegetables are cooked.
Serve hot with steamed white rice.
Share and Enjoy!

Note: Do not overcook the vegtables

images from kristelcuenta.com