Sari Sari: A Filipino Medley of Flavors

Ingredients

• Cooking oil (2 tablespoons)
• Pork belly (1/2 pound, cut into 1-inch pieces)
• Garlic (4 cloves, minced)
• Onion (1 large, chopped)
• Tomato (1 large, chopped)
• Shrimp (1/2 pound, peeled and deveined)
• Eggplant (1 medium, chopped)
• Okra (1 cup, trimmed)
• String beans (1 cup, cut into 2-inch pieces)
• Bitter melon (1 medium, seeded and sliced)
• Squash (1 cup, cubed)
• Water (4 cups)
• Fish sauce (2 tablespoons)
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Heat the cooking oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the pork belly and cook until it is browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the pork belly from the pot and set it aside.
3. In the same pot, sauté the minced garlic, chopped onion, and chopped tomato until they are softened and aromatic, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the shrimp to the pot and cook until they turn pink, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the chopped eggplant, trimmed okra, cut string beans, sliced bitter melon, and cubed squash to the pot. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
6. Pour in the water and fish sauce. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
8. Add the cooked pork belly back into the pot and stir to combine. Allow the stew to simmer for an additional 5 minutes so that the flavors can meld together.
9. Serve the Sari Sari hot, accompanied by steamed rice. Enjoy this heartwarming, nutritious, and flavorful Filipino dish!