Delicious Sinigang na Baboy for a Comforting Meal

Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork belly, cut into chunks
• 8 cups water
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 2 medium tomatoes, quartered
• 1 cup tamarind paste or 1-2 cups fresh tamarind pods
• 1 radish (daikon), sliced
• 1 cup eggplant, sliced
• 2 cups water spinach (kangkong) or other leafy greens
• 2-3 green chili peppers
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat and sauté the onion and tomatoes until they soften and release their juices, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the pork belly to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, approximately 8-10 minutes.
3. Pour in 8 cups of water and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that rises to the top for a clearer broth.
4. Lower the heat and let the pork simmer for about 40 minutes to an hour until it becomes tender.
5. While the pork is cooking, prepare the tamarind paste by dissolving it in a cup of warm water, or if using fresh tamarind, boil the pods until soft, then mash and strain to extract the juice.
6. Once the pork is tender, add the tamarind paste or juice, radish, eggplant, and green chili peppers into the pot. Let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are cooked.
7. Lastly, stir in the water spinach and fish sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
8. Serve hot with steamed rice and enjoy the wonderful flavors of your Sinigang na Baboy!