PAKBET ILOKANO (mix vegetables stew in shrimp paste)

Pakbet or pinakbet is a popular vegetable dish that originated from one of the northern provinces of the Philippines, Ilocos. The vegetables used on this dish are usually grown in the back yard of every villager and are available almost all year long. Bitter Melon, eggplant, okra,sweet potato and string beans are just some of the vegetables that make-up this delightful dish.  Pakbet is cooked in a clay pot called “Palayok” and  Anchovy sauce (bagoong isda) or shrimp paste is used to add flavour.

Try this delicious Pakbet Ilocano recipe.

Ingredients:

4 pcs round eggplant, cut in half

2 pcs small bitter melon (ampalaya), quartered

½ bundle string beans, cut into 2 inch length

1 small sweet potato (kamote), quartered

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)

Cooking Procedure:

1. In a large pan, place water let boil

2. Put in the anchovy sauce and wait for the mixture to boil once more

3. Add-in the vegetables starting with the ginger, then the sweet potatoes, okra, bitter melon, eggplant, string beans, tomato, and onion and simmer for 15 minutes

4. Add the bagnet or lechon kawali and simmer for 5 minutes

5. Serve hot. Share and Enjoy!