Ilokano’s pinakbet also known as pakbet is made from mixed vegetables, pork, and bagoong (shrimp paste) which give its unique taste and aroma. The ingredients are easy to find and usually available in most Filipino home backyards and it is really simple to cook.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 4 pcs round eggplant, cut in half
• 2 pcs small bitter melon (ampalaya), quartered
• 8 pcs okra
• ½ bundle string beans, cut into 2 inches length
• 1 pc sweet potato (kamote), quartered
• 1 pc tomato, cubed
• 1 pc onion, cubed
• 1 lb pork, chopped and fried
• 1/4 cup shrimp paste (bagoong)
• 1½ cup water

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Cooking Procedures:

Step 1

Pour water into a large pan and let it boil.

Step 2

Put in the shrimp paste and wait for the mixture to boil again.

Step 3

Add the vegetables starting with the sweet potato then the okra, bitter melon, eggplant, string beans, tomato, and onion, and simmer for 15 minutes. (You can also add 2 pcs green chili fingers if you want to add some spiciness.)

Step 4

Add the fried pork and simmer for another 5 minutes.

Step 5

Serve with steamed rice and enjoy your pinakbet!

“People who love to eat are always the best people.”

-Julia Child

Try this other Ilokano dish too: Poqui Poqui Ilokano Recipe

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