Pakbet or Pinakbet Ilocano Recipe

Pinakbet or Pakbet Ilocano is popular vegetable dish in northern part of Philippines especially in Ilocos and neighboring provinces. The vegetables used on this pakbet are usually grown in the back yard of every villager and are available almost all year long. Ampalaya (bitter melon), eggplant, okra, and string beans are just some of the vegetables that make-up this delightful dish. Usually Pakbet Ilocano is cooked in a clay pot called “Palayok” and Anchovy sauce (bagoong isda) is used to add flavor.

Also this dish is a variation of the popular dish the Pakbet Tagalog which is very common in central, southern part of Luzon and other part of the country.

Anchovy sauce (bagoong isda) 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

Ingredients:

4 pcs round eggplant, cut in half
2 pcs small bitter melon (ampalaya), quartered
1 bundle string beans, cut into 2 inch length
1cup squash, cut into 2x1 inch cubes
1 cup patani (optional)
8 pcs small okra
2 thumbs ginger, thinly sliced
1 large tomato, cubed
1 large onion, cubed
1½ cup water
1 lb bagnet or lechon kawali
½ cup Anchovy sauce (bagoong isda)

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Cooking Instruction:

Put all the ingredients in a large pan or "palayok" clay pot, arrange the vegetables in the following order: squash, string beans, okra, patani, eggplant, tomatoes, ginger, and onions and simmer for 15 minutes
Add the bagnet or lechon kawali (cooking procedure available in the recipe section)and simmer for 5 minutes
Serve hot. Share and Enjoy!

Note: Do not overcook the vegtables

images from filipino-foods.com