Sinigang (Philippine Sour Soup)

Ingredients

• •Sampaloc ( tamarind ) fruits or ready-to-use tamarind paste
• •1 onion , chopped
• •4–6 tomatoes , quartered
• •½–1 kg pork belly , cubed
• •250 g taro root, diced or sliced into chunks
• •3–4 horseradish , sliced
• •200 g string beans , cut in 1-inch pieces
• •1–3 onions, quartered
• •250 g kangkung (water spinach) leaves or other leafy yet crunchy vegetable even when cooked.
• •5 Tbsp fish sauce
• •Salt
• •Pepper
• •MSG (optional)
• •3 green chiles (e.g. serrano or any other fragrant and mild variety)

Instructions

1. 1If using whole tamarind, boil it in water until the shells crack, then work the flesh away from the seeds and strain, reserving all the liquid for the soup. Skip this process if using packed tamarind base.
2. 2Sauté the chopped onions in another large pot.
3. 3Add the tomato and pork to the onions, and sauté until the pork is no longer pink.
4. 4Add enough water or boiled tamarind stock to cover the contents of the pot. Boil until tender.
5. 5Add taro root, and simmer until soft and tender. The soup should to thicken at this point.
6. 6Add the horseradish, and simmer until tender-crunchy.
7. 7Add the string beans, quartered onions, and water spinach. Simmer for another 2–3 minutes.
8. 8Check to make sure all ingredients were cooked enough, then add the tamarind pack if using.
9. 9Add fish sauce, salt, pepper, and MSG to taste. Top with green chillies.
10. 10Serve hot.