Sinigang

Sinigang is one of my favorite Filipino comfort foods. It is a sour, sometimes spicy, soup with vegetables and meat or fish or shrimp. Traditionally, the soup is tamarind-based, and that is what gives it its distinct sour flavor. However, there are other ways to develop the sour flavor using calamansi, unripe mango, or guava. I have not tried these methods yet but I plan on experimenting soon. I currently use the powered soup mix but I know I should try to use more organic ingredients.

As far as how I like to make this dish, my favorite meats or fish to use are: pork (butt/shoulder cut or spare ribs), salmon, milkfish (bangus), or shrimp. I usually end up using the pork butt/shoulder – it’s the same cut of meat from the shoulder of the animal but both names are used – because it is the most affordable. I add a TON of vegetables because I love vegetables. In addition to the vegetables photographed, I also often add in kangkong (water spinach), eggplant, daikon radish, gabi (taro root), and chili peppers (siling labuyo) to spice up the dish. Also if you choose, you can leave out the meat and this dish would be a great vegetarian option too.

I have found that most of these ingredients are now easily available at any local grocery store in the Asian aisle but they do not stock a lot of the products. So, my suggestion would be to hit up a local Asian market. In the Sacramento area, check out Koreana Plaza in Rancho Cordova or Seafood City in South Sacramento. Both are huge Asian marketplaces that have some of the best stuff and typically aren’t too expensive.

Sinigang na Baboy (Pork Sinigang)

2 pounds Pork Shoulder/Butt

2 Tomatoes, diced

1 medium onion, diced

3 bunches baby bok choy, leaves separated

1 bunch yard long beans (sitaw), cut in 2 inch length

2 packets Knorr Sinigang mix (yes, I use 2!)

Directions:

Pressure cook pork for 40 minutes until tender

Stew pork, tomatoes, and onions on medium high heat, 10 minutes. Add Sinigang mix and bring to boil. Add in bok choy & long beans and simmer for about 15 minutes

Serve with freshly cooked rice and enjoy!

 

Let me know what you think!

- F