Gambian-style Pork Stew

Ingredients

In this Gambian adaptation, we incorporate traditional Gambian ingredients such as ginger and tropical fruits like pineapple and plantains. These additions bring a unique twist to the dish, infusing it with the flavors of Gambian cuisine while still maintaining the essence of the original Sinigang na baboy. We alse have the original recipe for Sinigang na baboy, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tomatoes, chopped 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups (470ml) tamarind juice 2 cups (470ml) tamarind juice
• 4 cups (940ml) water 4 cups (940ml) water
• 1 cup (240ml) pineapple juice 1 cup (240ml) pineapple juice
• 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk
• 2 plantains, peeled and sliced 2 plantains, peeled and sliced
• 2 cups (380g) pineapple chunks 2 cups (380g) pineapple chunks
• 2 green chilies, sliced 2 green chilies, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 15g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the pork cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
3. 3.
   Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they start to soften.
4. 4.
   Pour in the tamarind juice, water, and pineapple juice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 1 hour or until the pork is tender.
5. 5.
   Add the coconut milk, plantains, pineapple chunks, and green chilies to the pot. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes, or until the plantains are cooked through.
6. 6.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Serve the Gambian-style Pork Stew hot with steamed rice or crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tamarind — Soak the tamarind pulp in warm water for about 15 minutes, then strain it to obtain the tamarind juice.
• Plantains — Choose ripe plantains with yellow skin for a sweeter taste. If you can't find plantains, you can substitute with ripe bananas.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier stew, add more green chilies or include a dash of hot sauce.
• Adjust the sweetness by adding more pineapple juice or pineapple chunks if desired.
• Serve the stew with a side of steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mash some of the cooked plantains to thicken the broth.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop and intensify over time.

Serving advice

Serve the Gambian-style Pork Stew hot in individual bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves. Accompany it with steamed rice or crusty bread to complete the meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange a few pineapple chunks and plantain slices on top of each bowl of stew. The vibrant colors of the fruits will add visual appeal to the dish.