Remitbee Family Recipe: Pinakbet

For the fourth installment of Remitbee Recipes, let’s go back to the Philippines!

The diversity of Canadian residents enables us to try different cuisines from each part of the world. That’s why we’ve collected family recipes from immigrants across Canada for our Remitbee Recipe series. This time, Joy from Alberta shares with us her favorite dish from the Philippines - Pinakbet.

This dish originated in the Northern part of Luzon, one of the three main islands of the Philippines. It was traditionally prepared with vegetables that were harvested from the backyard of the family and usually prepared immediately to maintain the freshness of the produce. This is a very easy dish that is usually cooked in one big pot and seasoned with anchovy sauce to taste. As always, it is served with warm white rice either for lunch or dinner meals. Let’s see what locally grown vegetables make up the famous Pinakbet.

Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Total Time: 35 mins Servings: 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoons cooking oil ½ kilo pork, cut into small pieces 3 cloves garlic 2 pieces ginger, thinly-sliced 1 large onion, sliced 2 large tomatoes, quartered 4 pieces eggplant 2 pieces bitter melon (ampalaya), cut in half ½ bundle string beans (sitaw), cut into 2 inch length 8 pieces okra, cut in half 300 grams of squash (kalabasa) 1 ½ cup water ½ cup anchovy sauce

Instructions

1.Saute pork in a preheated pot with cooking oil. Render the fat then add garlic, ginger, and onion. 2.Put in the anchovy sauce and wait for the mixture to boil. 3.Add the vegetable: okra, bitter melon, eggplant, string beans, tomatoes, and squash 4. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Make sure not to overcook the vegetables so they won’t get soggy.

Serve with white rice and enjoy. Kainan Na! (Time to eat!)

Pinakbet is one of the Filipino dishes that tell a story of the simple life in the agricultural lands of the Philippines. During the early days, vegetables harvested in one’s own farm signify openness and warmth. It provides an atmosphere of freshness and willingness to share. It is also served to provide strength and vitality to the farmworkers thus encouraging farm laborers and neighbors to go and help in the farm activities after a sumptuous meal.

Beyond Pinakbet, we can’t help but think about our families and friends back home especially with today’s pandemic situation. Our thoughts are always with them, but sometimes there’s even more to do. Remitbee is here to help. In just a flash, your hard-earned money can be sent back home to the Philippines. With no fees to pay when sending over $500, Remitbee is your best option. Sign up for Remitbee today and experience a hassle-free money transfer service to the Philippines!