Pork Sinigang is a Filipino sour soup characterized by its distinctive tangy taste, primarily achieved through the use of tamarind as a souring agent. This popular Filipino dish typically features pork as the main protein, although variations with beef, shrimp, or other meats are also common.
Here’s a simple Pork Sinigang recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb pork belly or pork ribs, cut into serving pieces
- 1 large onion, peeled and sliced
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 medium-sized daikon radish (labanos), peeled and sliced
- 2 eggplants, sliced
- 1 bunch string beans (sitaw), cut into 2-inch lengths
- 1 bunch water spinach (kangkong), separated into individual stalks
- 2 pieces green chili peppers (siling pansigang)
- 1 packet (about 1.4 ounces) tamarind soup mix (sinigang mix)
- Fish sauce (patis) to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Water for boiling
Instructions:
1. Boil the Pork:
- In a large pot, bring about 8 cups of water to a boil. Add the pork pieces and simmer until the meat is tender. Skim off any scum that rises to the surface.
2. Add Vegetables:
- Once the pork is tender, add the sliced onions and tomatoes. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes until the tomatoes are softened.
3. Tamarind Soup Base:
- Add the tamarind soup mix to the pot. Stir to dissolve the mix into the broth. Adjust the sourness according to your preference by adding more tamarind mix if needed.
4. Add Radish and Eggplants:
- Add the sliced daikon radish and eggplants to the pot. Simmer until the vegetables are almost tender.
5. Season:
- Season the broth with fish sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
6. String Beans, Kangkong, and Chilies:
- Add the string beans, water spinach, and green chili peppers to the pot. Simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes or until all the vegetables are tender but still vibrant in color.
7. Adjust Consistency:
- If needed, you can adjust the consistency of the soup by adding more water.
8. Serve:
- Once the pork is fully cooked and all the vegetables are tender, your Pork Sinigang is ready to be served. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
9. Serve Hot:
- Serve the Pork Sinigang hot with steamed rice. It’s common to have fish sauce with calamansi (Filipino lime) on the side for dipping.
Pork Sinigang is loved for its comforting and savory-sour taste. It is often served hot with steamed rice and sometimes accompanied by fish sauce with calamansi on the side for dipping. The combination of the sour broth, tender pork, and a variety of vegetables makes it a popular and well-loved Filipino dish. Enjoy your delicious and comforting Pork Sinigang!
