Bicol Express: My Tamer Version

Bicol dishes are known for two things: gata (Coconut milk) and chillies. Their dishes are usually made using a small red chili called labuyo which is a hotter local variety, but since labuyo is not easily available in the US, long green chillies or japaleno can be a good and milder substitute.

This dish I think is very similar to the Thai Panang curry as it can also be done using seafood. The only difference (which also makes this dish a winner) is the bagoong: a salty Filipino condiment made with fermented fish usually eaten with green mangoes or even singkamas (jicama).

Spice Meter Rating: 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest - This recipe is a 3.

What you need:

- 1 lb. pork thinly sliced (I used country style pork ribs)

- Around 4-5 long green chillies, sliced diagonally

- 1/2 lb. string onions, sliced diagonally

- 6 cloves of garlic, minced

- 1 medium onion, chopped

- 1 can Coconut milk

- 1 tbsp. Bagoong or Fish paste (I use Barrio Fiesta original bagoong)

- around 1 tbsp. cooking oil

- salt and pepper

- 1 tsp. red pepper flakes

How it's done:

Heat up a wok and then add the oil. Saute garlic and onion and wait until onion is translucent.

Add pork, saute until pink is gone. Add coconut milk and then simmer until pork is tender, around 10 mins.

Add sliced chilies and string beans. Simmer again until sauce thickens, around 5-8 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper (easy on the salt since we'll be adding bagoong) and red pepper flakes.

Add the bagoong, stir and then simmer for 3 more minutes.

Serve with white rice.

Piano man suggested this dish is great paired with tortang talong - will post a recipe for that next time.

Kam's Tips:

- You can add more veggies! I've tried a version with green and red bell peppers, still tasted great and looked prettier with the colors.

- I prefer using dark brown bagoong instead of the pink ones. For me it is less salty and tastes better.

- Adjust the spice meter and make it a 5: Add more red pepper flakes for more heat or if you could get a hold of some labuyo, chop around 2-3 pieces and mix those in.

- Be sure to cook an extra cup of rice :b