Asian In America

 

Busy weekdays and nights call for this easy peasy dish to put together. “Nilaga” (say ‘ni-la-ga’)  in Tagalog, simply means “boiled”. This is a boiled pork stew, all-in-one meal. It’s full of lean pork cubes, fresh vegetables, potatoes and lots of soupy goodness.

 

 

Dinner was never this easy. Drop them all in the pot. Or try the slow cooker like I often do, especially if I am at work. Boil and simmer slow a pound of lean pork cubes. Cook it with the gingery-salty flavors of the broth. The fresh ginger and the fish sauce or “patis” provides a whole new dimension and gives that Asian twist.

Throw in the greens, be it bok choy, cabbage, green beans. Peel the potatoes and plunk it all in. Stir and season. Presto, dinner is done!

 

 Serve this piping hot with a large platter of steamed jasmine rice. Total comfort made superbly easy!

 

NILAGANG BABOY : Boiled Pork Stew with Vegetables

1 pound lean pork cubes, no bones

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

1 whole onion, chopped

1 teaspoon minced garlic

½ teaspoon minced ginger

1 bunch scallions, sliced white part of stems

1 Tablespoon “patis” or fish sauce ( from Asian groceries)

4 to 5 cups broth (chicken, beef, pork or vegetable)

3 whole potatoes, peeled and quartered

1 cup sliced green beans, measuring 2 inches long

2 cups coarsely chopped bok choy cabbage

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Steamed jasmine white rice, for serving

 

1. In a large pot, over medium high heat, add the vegetable oil. Saute the onions, garlic, ginger and scallions.
2. Add the fish sauce. Then add the pork cubes. Brown the pork for about five minutes to seal in the flavors.
3. Pour in the broth. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a slow simmer. Cook till pork cubes are tender, for about 40 minutes. Add the potatoes at the last 10 minutes of cooking.
4. Add the greens in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with steamed jasmine rice.

COOK’S COMMENTS : Feel free to add any vegetables preferred for this pork stew.  If you want to cook this in a slow cooker like I often do, boil the pork cubes in the broth and seasonings for 4 hours, using a “high setting”. Add the potatoes and vegetables when it’s nearly time for supper.