Pinakbet Ilocano Recipe

Plate of Pinakbet Ilocano by Authentic Food Quest

This simple pinakbet llocano recipe combines flavors and textures from a variety of vegetables with crispy bites of pork. The wonderful flavors come to life with “bagoong isda”, an iconic Filipino sauce making it an easy meal to whip up for lunch or dinner.

4.91 from 11 votes

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Course: Recipes

Cuisine: Filipino

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 45

Servings:

Calories: 877kcal

Author: Authentic Food Quest

Equipment

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Ingredients

8 round eggplants
2 bitter gourd small
1 bundle string beans
⅔ cup squash
8 pieces Okra
2 Tomatoes
2 Onions
2 Garlic cloves
1 Ginger small piece
Water
1 lb Pork Belly
¼ cup anchovy sauce
Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

For the Bagnet or Fried Pork Belly

Place the pork belly in a deep pot and cover with water. Add the peppercorns and let it boil. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove the boiled pork belly from the pot and let it cool.
Heat oil in a frying pan. Gently add the pork belly and deep fry on medium heat until the pork turns crispy.
Remove the pork belly from the pan and let it cool down.
Once cool, slice the pork bagnet into bite sized pieces and set aside.

For the Pinakbet

Cut the round eggplants in half and cut the tomatoes and onions in chunks.
Crush the garlic and slice the ginger in thin slices. Set aside.
In a large pot bring water to boil. Add the anchovy sauce and wait for it to boil one more time.
Now, add the vegetables, starting with the squash then the okra, seedless bitter melon, eggplant, string beans, tomato, onions, garlic and ginger.
Simmer for 15 minutes until the vegetables are cooked.
Add the sliced bagnet and mix well.
Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy hot by itself or with a side of rice.

Notes

In the traditional Ilocano pinakbet recipe, squash is not typically included. It is generally used in the Tagalog pinakbet recipe. We have added it to this recipe as we enjoyed the squash when we had it in the Philippines. It makes for a heartier mixed vegetable stew, but is optional.
Pinakbet Ilocano is a full meal by itself. Although, you can also enjoy it with a side of steamed rice.

Nutrition

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