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July 5, 2024
Pork binagoongan is a traditional Filipino dish that is rich in flavor and loved by many. It is made with pork belly or shoulder, cooked until tender and then stir-fried with shrimp paste and various seasonings. This dish is known for its intense savory and salty taste, making it a perfect pairing for steamed rice.
Binagoongan refers to the shrimp paste or fermented shrimp sauce used in this dish. It is a key ingredient that gives pork binagoongan its distinct taste. The combination of pork and shrimp paste creates a flavorful and umami-packed dish that is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
To cook pork binagoongan, start by marinating the pork in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and black pepper. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. Then, heat some oil in a pan and sauté onions and garlic until aromatic. Add the marinated pork and cook until it turns brown and tender. Once the pork is cooked, add the shrimp paste and cook for a few more minutes to enhance the flavors.
It is important to note that shrimp paste can be quite salty, so it is recommended to taste and adjust the seasoning accordingly. You can also add some sugar or pineapple juice to balance out the flavors if desired.
Pork binagoongan is a delicious and satisfying dish that is easy to make. It is a staple in Filipino cuisine and is often served during special occasions or family gatherings. The combination of tender pork, rich shrimp paste, and delightful seasonings make it a mouthwatering and flavorful dish that you won’t be able to resist.
Preparation
Before you start cooking pork binagoongan, make sure you have all the ingredients ready:
- 2 pounds of pork belly – cut into cubes
- 3 cloves of garlic – minced
- 1 onion – chopped
- 2 tomatoes – diced
- 4 tablespoons of shrimp paste (bagoong alamang)
- 1 cup of water
- 3 tablespoons of cooking oil
- 2 pieces of long green peppers (siling haba)
- 2 tablespoons of vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, you can start preparing the pork:
- Season the pork cubes with salt and pepper.
- Heat the cooking oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Sauté the garlic, onion, and tomatoes until the onions are translucent.
- Add the pork cubes to the pan and cook until browned on all sides.
- Lower the heat and add the shrimp paste.
- Stir and cook for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Pour in the water and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for about 1 hour or until the pork is tender.
- Add the vinegar and green peppers.
- Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Your pork binagoongan is now ready to be served. Enjoy!
Gather ingredients
Before starting to cook pork binagoongan, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 kg of pork belly, cubed
- 3 tablespoons of shrimp paste (bagoong alamang)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 long green chili peppers (siling haba), sliced
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1/2 cup of vinegar
- 1/2 cup of water
- Cooking oil
Note: You can adjust the amount of shrimp paste and chili peppers according to your taste preference.
Prepare the pork
To cook pork binagoongan, you will need about 1 kilogram of pork belly or pork shoulder, whichever you prefer. Make sure to purchase fresh and high-quality pork from a trusted meat supplier.
Once you have the pork, wash it thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or impurities. Pat it dry with paper towels.
Next, cut the pork into small cubes or bite-sized pieces. This will help the meat cook faster and allow the flavors to penetrate more effectively.
After cutting the pork, season it with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a tablespoon of soy sauce for added flavor. Mix the seasoning well, ensuring that each piece of pork is evenly coated.
For additional flavor, you can marinate the pork for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate it overnight. This step is optional but highly recommended to enhance the taste of the pork binagoongan.
Remember to discard any excess marinade to prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
Note: If you prefer a leaner option, you can trim off any excess fat from the pork before cooking.
Cooking
Cooking is the process of preparing food using various techniques and methods to enhance its taste, texture, and appearance. It is not only a necessity for sustenance but also a form of art that allows people to express their creativity and cultural identity through food.
The Importance of Cooking
Cooking plays a vital role in our lives for several reasons:
- Nutrition: Cooking helps break down the complex compounds in food, making it easier for our bodies to digest and absorb nutrients.
- Taste: The process of cooking can enhance the flavors of food by releasing aroma compounds and caramelizing sugars.
- Food Safety: Proper cooking techniques can kill harmful bacteria and parasites present in raw ingredients, preventing foodborne illnesses.
- Cultural Identity: Different cultures have their own unique cooking methods and recipes that reflect their heritage and traditions.
Common Cooking Techniques
There are numerous cooking techniques that chefs and home cooks utilize to create delicious dishes. Some commonly used techniques include:
- Sautéing: This involves cooking food quickly over high heat in a small amount of oil or fat.
- Grilling: Food is cooked on a direct heat source, typically an open flame or hot coals.
- Boiling: Food is submerged in boiling water and cooked until tender.
- Baking: Heat is applied through an oven to cook food evenly and produce a golden brown crust.
- Steaming: Food is cooked by exposing it to steam, which helps retain moisture and nutrients.
- Roasting: Food is cooked in an oven at a high temperature, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender interior.
These techniques can be combined or modified to suit a specific recipe and desired outcome.
In conclusion, cooking is not just a means of preparing food, but an art form that allows individuals to express their creativity and cultural identity. It is an essential skill that provides us with nutrition, enhances the taste of ingredients, ensures food safety, and connects us with our heritage. By mastering different cooking techniques, we can create delicious dishes that please both our palates and our souls.
Sauté the pork
Once the pork has been marinated, it’s time to sauté it. In a large pan, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the marinated pork and cook it until it’s browned on all sides.
Make sure to stir the pork occasionally to ensure that it cooks evenly. Depending on the size of the pork pieces, this should take about 5-7 minutes.
Once the pork is browned, remove it from the pan and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Discard excess oil
After removing the pork from the pan, carefully discard the excess oil. You can do this by pouring it into a heatproof container or disposing of it properly. Do not pour it down the sink, as it can clog your pipes.
Add the shrimp paste mixture
With the excess oil removed, return the pan to the heat. Add the shrimp paste mixture (bagoong) and sauté it for about a minute until it becomes fragrant and slightly toasted.
Make sure to continuously stir the mixture to prevent it from burning. The heat will help to release the flavors of the shrimp paste and enhance its taste.
Now that the shrimp paste is ready, it’s time to move on to the next step of the recipe – adding the sautéed pork back into the pan and simmering it in the shrimp paste sauce.
Add seasonings
Once the pork has simmered and become tender, it’s time to add the seasonings to give the dish its delicious flavor.
Here are the seasonings you will need:
- 3 tablespoons shrimp paste (bagoong alamang)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 red chili pepper, sliced (optional for added heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
In a separate pan, heat some oil over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent.
Add the tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.
Next, add the shrimp paste (bagoong alamang) and stir it into the mixture. Make sure the shrimp paste is well distributed throughout the dish.
If you want a spicier version, you can add the sliced red chili pepper at this point.
Finally, season the dish with salt and pepper to taste. Remember to go easy on the salt because the shrimp paste already has a salty flavor.
Continue to cook the mixture for a few more minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Your pork binagoongan is now ready to be served! The seasoning mixture adds the perfect balance of flavors to complement the tender pork. Enjoy!
FAQ
What is pork binagoongan?
Pork binagoongan is a Filipino dish made with pork cooked in a savory spicy shrimp paste sauce called “bagoong”. It is a popular dish in the Philippines and is known for its unique flavor.
What is bagoong?
Bagoong is a fermented shrimp paste commonly used in Filipino cuisine. It is made by fermenting shrimp with salt, giving it a strong and salty flavor. It is a key ingredient in pork binagoongan and adds a unique taste to the dish.
How do I cook pork binagoongan?
To cook pork binagoongan, you will need to heat oil in a pan and sauté garlic and onions. Then add the pork and cook until browned. Next, add the shrimp paste and water, and simmer until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Can I use other meats instead of pork?
Yes, you can use other meats like beef or chicken instead of pork to make binagoongan. However, the cooking time may vary depending on the type of meat you choose. It is also important to adjust the seasoning and other ingredients accordingly.
