Bicol Express with a Twist

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, sliced into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, sliced into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 red chilies, sliced 2 red chilies, sliced
• 1 tablespoon shrimp paste 1 tablespoon shrimp paste
• 1 cup coconut milk 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup coconut cream 1 cup coconut cream
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 35g, 20g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the pork belly and cook until browned on all sides.
4. 4.
   Stir in the shrimp paste and cook for another minute.
5. 5.
   Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 30 minutes, or until the pork is tender.
6. 6.
   Add the coconut cream, green beans, and bell peppers. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
7. 7.
   Season with salt to taste.
8. 8.
   Serve hot with steamed rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork belly — For a leaner option, you can use pork loin or chicken instead of pork belly.
• Shrimp paste — If shrimp paste is not available, you can substitute it with fish sauce for a similar umami flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• Adjust the amount of red chilies according to your spice preference. For a milder version, remove the seeds before slicing.
• To make the dish even creamier, you can add a dollop of coconut cream as a garnish before serving.
• Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad to balance the richness of the stew.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can simmer the stew for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid.

Serving advice

Serve the Bicol Express hot with steamed rice. Garnish with chopped spring onions or cilantro for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Transfer the Bicol Express to a serving dish and sprinkle some sliced red chilies on top for an extra pop of color. Serve with a side of steamed rice and garnish with fresh herbs.