Sinigang na Baboy sa Sampalok

In a large pot, pour water. Add red onion, tomatoes, and fish sauce. Add pork. Before it reaches boiling point, spoon out impurities and dark brown foam and discard. Boil pork for 25 minutes. Lower heat and simmer for another 15 minutes or until meat is tender.

Add taro or gabi and cook for 5 minutes or until tender. Add tamarind and cook for about 5 minutes. Scoop out tamarind. Transfer to a bowl and mash. Strain juice and pulp through a stainless steel strainer and add to the broth.

Add the vegetables: Put radish and string beans or sitaw and cook for a few minutes. Then add okra, eggplants, water spinach, and green chili. Simmer for 5 minutes more.

Meaty tip:  For this recipe, we used pre-cut leg (pata) slices. But you can also use belly (liempo), country-style pork, or spareribs.