Sinigang na Baboy: A Traditional Filipino Pork Sour Soup

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork belly, cut into chunks
• 8 cups water
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 2 medium tomatoes, quartered
• 1 radish (labanos), sliced
• 1 cup green beans (sitaw), trimmed
• 1 cup water spinach (kangkong), stems removed
• 1-2 green chili peppers (siling pangsigang)
• 1/2 cup tamarind paste or 1 cup fresh tamarind
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce (patis)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine the pork belly and water, then bring to a boil over medium heat. Skim off any scum that rises to the top.
2. Add the quartered onion and tomatoes to the pot, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes or until the pork is tender.
3. Stir in the tamarind paste or fresh tamarind, breaking it apart to release its flavor, and add the fish sauce. Continue to simmer for another 10 minutes.
4. Add the sliced radish and green beans to the pot, cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
5. In the last few minutes of cooking, add the water spinach and green chili peppers, allowing them to wilt and infuse their flavor into the soup.
6. Season the sinigang with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the sourness or saltiness to your preference before serving.