Growing up, Sinigang was a dish that filled our home with warmth and comfort, especially on rainy days. I can still remember my mom standing by the stove, tasting the broth and adding just the right amount of tamarind to make it perfectly sour. The sourness of the broth combined with the tenderness of the pork and the freshness of the vegetables was the kind of meal that brought our family together. Each bowl was always personalized—with more vegetables for my dad and extra broth for me. To this day, sinigang remains my go-to dish when I need a taste of home and comfort. There’s nothing quite like that first sip of tangy, savory broth, reminding me of family dinners and cozy evenings.
Here’s our recipe for sinigang na baboy (pork sinigang) so you can bring that same comforting warmth to your table!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb pork belly (or pork ribs)
- 6 cups water
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 2 medium tomatoes, quartered
- 1 radish (labanos), sliced thinly
- 1 bunch water spinach (kangkong)
- 1 taro (gabi), peeled and cubed
- 6-8 pieces string beans (sitaw), cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 long green chili (optional)
- 1 packet tamarind soup mix (sinigang mix) or 1 cup fresh tamarind juice
- Salt and fish sauce (patis) to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the pork: In a large pot, add water and bring it to a boil. Add the pork belly, onions, and tomatoes. Let it simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the pork is tender.
- Add vegetables: Once the pork is tender, add the taro and simmer for another 5-7 minutes until the taro becomes soft. Then, add the radish and string beans and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Flavor the soup: Stir in the tamarind mix (or tamarind juice) and adjust the sourness to your preference. Add the long green chili if you want a bit of heat.
- Season: Add fish sauce and salt to taste. Start with a tablespoon of fish sauce and adjust according to your preference.
- Add the greens: Finally, toss in the water spinach (kangkong) and let it cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
- Serve: Serve hot with steamed rice and enjoy!
