Easy Pinakbet Recipe
I. Introduction
A beloved Ilocano vegetable medley stewed in fish sauce and often enriched with bagoong isda. This Easy Pinakbet Recipe captures the essence of Filipino vegetable cooking with its complex flavors combining bitter, salty, and umami notes in perfect harmony.
II. Ingredients
- 1 bitter melon (ampalaya), seeded and sliced
- 1 medium eggplant, sliced
- 1/2 lb okra, stemmed
- 1 medium squash (kalabasa), cubed
- 1 cup string beans (sitaw), cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 medium tomatoes, quartered
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 tbsp bagoong isda (fish bagoong)
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 cup water
III. Equipment
- Wide pot or deep skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring spoons
IV. Instructions
- Heat oil in a wide pot over medium heat.
- Sauté garlic and onions until fragrant and onions are translucent.
- Add tomatoes and cook until soft and starting to break down.
- Add bagoong and stir to combine with the aromatics.
- Add the harder vegetables first (bitter melon, eggplant, squash).
- Add water and simmer for 5-7 minutes until these vegetables begin to soften.
- Add the softer vegetables (string beans, okra) and continue cooking.
- Cook until all vegetables are tender but still retain some texture.
- Season with fish sauce if needed and serve hot with rice.
V. Tips
Add okra last to avoid sliminess; balance bitterness with a pinch of sugar. The key to good pinakbet is cooking vegetables in order of their cooking time – harder vegetables first, more delicate ones later. Don’t overcook to maintain some texture. Bagoong is quite salty, so taste before adding additional salt.
VI. Serving
With grilled fish or chicharon. This vegetable medley is the perfect accompaniment to any protein, especially with grilled or fried fish. It’s a traditional dish from the Ilocos region that’s now enjoyed throughout the Philippines as a healthy and flavorful vegetable dish.
VII. Storage
Keeps 3 days; tastes better the next day. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors meld together beautifully over time, making leftovers even more delicious. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed.
