Sinigang na Baboy sa Sampalok

Sinigang na Baboy sa Sampalok

(Pork in Tamarind Soup Base)

Ingredients:

6 to 8 medium red tomatoes, sliced

½ kilo pork, cut to size

1 to 2 medium taro, peeled and chopped

1 medium radish, peeled and chopped

2 bundles pechay leaves

8 to 12 pieces unripe tamarind

2 to 4 cups water

2 to 4 tablespoons fish sauce

4 to 6 long chili (siling haba)

Cooking Instructions:

Stir in red tomatoes in a heated pot.  Once the tomatoes are tender, add pork.  Cover and allow the mixture to simmer.  Stir the mixture occasionally.  Once the liquid is reduced and starts to thicken, stir for a few more minutes then add water.  Toss in the taro.  Allow the mixture to boil.  Layer the tamarind on top.  Do not stir.  Cover the pot and boil the tamarind for approximately three minutes. 

Remove the tamarind from the pot and place in a small bowl.  Add a few scoops of the soup and mash the tamarind.  Drain the extract into the pot.  Be careful not to include the peel and seeds.  Extract two more times. 

Add the radish and long chili into the pot.  Continue to simmer until the radish is tender.  You may add fish sauce if the soup is too sour.  Layer the pechay leaves on top.  Cover and continue to simmer for five more minutes.

This recipe will serve up to three people.