Buridibod with Green Saba and Malunggay

In this Ilocano dish, the shredded green bananas and mashed sweet potatoes thicken the liquid.

Serves 4  Prep Time 10 minutes  Cooking Time 10 minutes

1 cup camote
2 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic, crushed
1 medium red onion
1 cup green saba, shredded
1 cup water
1 cup oyster mushrooms
salt and pepper to taste
2 bundles malunggay leaves, washed
1 tablespooon sesame oil

1  Boil camote in 2 cups water for 5 minutes.

2  Drain, then press with a masher or fork until it looks like mashed potatoes. Set aside.

3  In olive oil, sauté garlic, onion, and shredded saba until softened.

4  Set fire to medium heat and add 1 cup water. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add mushrooms. Let it simmer.

5  Add the mashed camote and stir. Stir in dash of salt and pepper.

6  Lastly, add malunggay leaves and sesame oil, and simmer for a few more minutes.

Healthy tip: Malunggay (Horseradish Tree Leaves) not only has potent antioxidants and the ability to reduce wrinkles and prevent diseases such as cancer and arthritis, it seems this superstar veggie may have the cure for most ills.

Photography by David Hanson │ Art Direction by Nat Clave │ Produced by Divine Enya Mesina