Pakbet or pinakbet is a popular vegetable dish that originated from one of the northern provinces of the Philippines, Ilocos. The vegetables used on this dish are usually grown in the back yard of every villager and are available almost all year long. Bitter Melon, eggplant, okra, and string beans are just some of the vegetables that make-up this delightful dish. Pakbet is cooked in a clay pot called “Palayok” and Anchovy sauce (bagoong isda) is used to add flavor.
As the fame of this dish grew, several versions have sprouted. In the National Capital Region (Manila and the near by cities). Pinakbet is cooked with squash (kalabasa) and bagoong alamang (shrimp paste) is used to give flavor to the dish. This variation is known as “Pakbet Tagalog”.
A very easy-to-cook dish packed with different vitamins and minerals (just limit the bagnet if you are conscious of your health), Pakbet is a dish that is really worth trying. By the way, having an extra cup of rice around might help.
Try this delicious Pakbet Ilocano recipe. Let me know what you think.
Pakbet Ilocano Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 pieces round eggplant cut in half
- 2 pieces small bitter melon ampalaya, quartered
- ½ bundle string beans cut into 2 inch length
- 1 piece sweet potato kamote, quartered
- 8 pieces okra
- 1 piece tomato cubed
- 1 piece onion cubed
- 1½ cup water
- 1 lb bagnet
- 1/4 cup Anchovy sauce bagoong isda
Instructions
- In a large pan, place water let boil
- Put in the anchovy sauce and wait for the mixture to boil once more
- Add-in the vegetables starting with the sweet potato then put-in the okra, bitter melon, eggplant, string beans, tomato, and onion and simmer for 15 minutes
- Add the bagnet or lechon kawali (cooking procedure available in the recipe section) and simmer for 5 minutes
- Serve hot. Share and Enjoy!
Francis says
Pakbet is the main favorite dish in the family ( both father and motherside ). This viand has several versions and one can also add a ginger ( most pangalatoks prefer this way ). I prefer it to “saute” other than just boiling. I used “kamote” instead of kalabasa.
Frank says
Thanks. Bicolano ako but I’ve always loved Ilocano style Pakbet. Do you have a recipe for Paella? I’m a dad who’s working home-based and loves to cook for my family. If you have that recipe or will publish one, I would really appreciate it. Thanks again!
Ana says
Thanks so much for sharing your recipes. Just would like to comment about your background music if you don’t mind. We find it very destructing especially with the lyrics and at the same time you are giving us the directions. Aside from the song with lyrics we find it also loud. If you prefer with background music may be you can have without lyrics and a soft and not too loud.
Thanks for your understanding.
Ana
rossa moyo says
Hi i got interested of cooking since I started wacthing panlasangpinoy!!!!! thank u so much!! i wanna ask f u hav a recepi “steamed fish with mayonaise??” just correct me… =) i wanna ask also ube cake recipe…thanks alot!!!!!
jun alejo says
thanks for sharing this recipe Sir Vanjo ^_^
karen says
pls.post a video on how to make bopis.. we really love to know to cook bopis!
Glenn Garcia says
Hello! May I ask you to kindly upload a video on how to make Budbod. This is a special kind of food which is famously made in Tanay Rizal.
Thank you.
Panlasang Pinoy says
Appreciate your comment ma’am. This site is dedicated to our kababayans and other people as well who want to have a glimpse of what Filipino food and Asian food are like. I’m glad that you liked it. Thanks for visiting and please visit us often, you are always welcome to drop by.
MrsLavendula says
i love pakbet!!
great site! its so great that you’re featuring the filipino cuisine!! its about time somebody did, there’s just so much delicious dishes our country has to offer!