Pakbet Ilocano

Pakbet or pinakbet is a popular vegetable dish that originated from one of the northern provinces of the Philippines, Ilocos. The vegetables used on this dish are usually grown in the back yard of every villager and are available almost all year long. Bitter Melon, eggplant, okra, and string beans are just some of the vegetables that make-up this delightful dish.  Pakbet is cooked in a clay pot called “Palayok” and  Anchovy sauce (bagoong isda) is used to add flavor.

How to cook

Ingredients

• 4 pieces round eggplant cut in half
• 2 pieces small bitter melon ampalaya, quartered
• ½ bundle string beans cut into 2 inch length
• 1 piece sweet potato kamote, quartered
• 8 pieces okra
• 1 piece tomato cubed
• 1 piece onion cubed
• 1½ cup water
• 1 lb bagnet
• 1/4 cup Anchovy sauce bagoong isda

Instructions

• In a large pan, place water let boil
• Put in the anchovy sauce and wait for the mixture to boil once more
• Add-in the vegetables starting with the sweet potato then put-in the okra, bitter melon, eggplant, string beans, tomato, and onion and simmer for 15 minutes
• Add the bagnet or lechon kawali (cooking procedure available in the recipe section) and simmer for 5 minutes
• Serve hot. Share and Enjoy!