Pork Sinigang

Name: Pork Sinigang
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 2 lbs pork spare ribs or baby back ribs (cut into 2-inch pieces); 10 cups water; 1 packet sinigang mix (tamarind soup base packet, 1.41 oz); 1 medium yellow onion, quartered; 2 medium Roma tomatoes, quartered; 2 tbsp fish sauce (patis); 2 long green chile (banana pepper or serrano), whole; 1 cup daikon radish (labanos), sliced 1/2 in thick; 2 small Asian eggplant, sliced 1 in thick; 2 cups long beans (sitaw) or green beans, cut into 2-in; 4 cups water spinach (kangkong) or baby spinach, stems trimmed; 1 tsp salt

A hearty Filipino sour soup made with tender pork ribs and fresh vegetables simmered in a tamarind broth. The bold tangy-savory flavor is deeply comforting and pairs perfectly with steamed rice.

80 minMediumServes 4380 cal/serving

FilipinoSoupStovetopStandardHigh FiberHigh ProteinGluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

2 lbs pork spare ribs or baby back ribs (cut into 2-inch pieces)
10 cups water
1 packet sinigang mix (tamarind soup base packet, 1.41 oz)
1 medium yellow onion, quartered
2 medium Roma tomatoes, quartered
2 tbsp fish sauce (patis)
2 long green chile (banana pepper or serrano), whole
1 cup daikon radish (labanos), sliced 1/2 in thick
2 small Asian eggplant, sliced 1 in thick
2 cups long beans (sitaw) or green beans, cut into 2-in
4 cups water spinach (kangkong) or baby spinach, stems trimmed
1 tsp salt

Instructions

1

Place 2 lbs pork spare ribs or baby back ribs (cut into 2-inch pieces) in a large pot and cover with 10 cups cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat and skim off any gray foam that rises to the surface. This blanching step removes impurities for a cleaner broth.
2

Add 1 medium quartered yellow onion and 2 medium quartered Roma tomatoes to the pot. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes until the pork is nearly tender. Check with a fork - the meat should yield but not yet fall from the bone.
3

Stir in 1 packet sinigang mix (tamarind soup base packet, 1.41 oz) and 2 tbsp fish sauce (patis). Add 1 cup sliced 1/2 in thick daikon radish (labanos) and 2 whole long green chile (banana pepper or serrano). Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
4

Add 2 small sliced 1 in thick Asian eggplant and 2 cups cut into 2-in long beans (sitaw) or green beans. Simmer for another 5 minutes until the vegetables are just tender.
5

Taste and adjust seasoning with 1 tsp salt and additional fish sauce if desired. The broth should be pleasantly sour and savory.
6

Add 4 cups stems trimmed water spinach (kangkong) or baby spinach and stir gently. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until just wilted. Remove from heat immediately to preserve its bright color.
7

Verify pork has reached an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Serve immediately in deep bowls with steamed rice and extra fish sauce on the side.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Pork Sinigang reach?

For Pork Sinigang, the target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 7. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Why blanch first in Pork Sinigang?

Step 1 reads: "This blanching step removes impurities for a cleaner broth." The quick boil in step 1 sets the color and takes off the raw edge. If the step follows it with cold water, that is to stop the cooking at once so the vegetables stay bright and crisp.

Is there a substitute for tamarind in Pork Sinigang?

The entry for Pork Sinigang calls for 1 packet sinigang mix (tamarind soup base packet, 1.41 oz). In its place: Equal parts lime juice and brown sugar give the same sour-sweet effect. Pomegranate molasses also works where you have it.

Is Pork Sinigang spicy?

Moderately. The heat in Pork Sinigang comes from 2 long green chile (banana pepper or serrano), whole. For a milder plate, remove the seeds and ribs from the green chile, or use half; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Does Pork Sinigang contain fish?

Yes: 2 tbsp fish sauce (patis). The full allergen list for this entry is fish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Serve it with

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