"Pinakbet"

There are 2 or more versions of this dish, famous versions are the Tagalog and the Ilocano, but personally I prefer the first one.


"Pinakbet or Pakbet Tagalog"


Ingredients:
1/4 kl pork belly, diced
1/4 kl shrimp peeled and deviened
3 tablespoon bagoong alamang
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup of fresh ginger root peeled and sliced in strips
5 tablespoon white vinegar (Datu Puti)
1 tablespoon sugar to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 bundle (10 pcs) of string beans, cut into 2 inches length
1 cup of sliced squash
2 pcs medium size eggplant, sliced in rectangular shape
5 pcs medium size okra, stem removed and cut half in diagonal shaped
2 pcs medium size ampalaya, seed and sliced in rectangular shape
1 small size onion, chopped
1 med size tomato, diced
3 cloves garlic peeled, chopped
1 teaspoon msg (optional)


Procedure:
1. Fry pork till brown, set aside.
2. In low fire saute garlic, wait till brown then add onion, ginger and tomato.
3  When onion turns transparent, add pork along with msg (optional), sugar, shrimp, bagoong alamang, and    vinegar and simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Add water and increase the heat and bring it to a boil.
5. Add vegetables- squash, string beans, egg plant, ampalaya and okra.
6. Lower the heat and simmer for 12 mins or until veg are tender.


Serve with rice.