Sauteed Ampalaya with Chicharon

Ingredients:
1 medium-sized bitter gourd(ampalaya), cut in half then removing the seeds and sliced crosswise
1 cup pork rind(chicharon), crushed
200 grams pork, cut into small pieces
1/2 squash, chopped into 2×1 inch cubes
2 tablespoons shrimp paste(bagoong alamang)
1/2 cup water
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 thumb-sized ginger, julienned
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Procedures:
Part 1
2. In a bowl, combine bitter gourd, 1/4 cup salt and enough water then soak for 15 minutes. Rinse, drain and set aside.

Part 2
1. In a pan, heat oil then saute garlic, onion and ginger.
2. Add pork continue sauteing until light brown.
3. Add shrimp paste and then squash, stir cook for 3 minutes.
4. Add bitter gourd, water then simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add pork rind then season with sugar, salt and pepper according to taste.
6. Turn off heat then serve with steamed rice.

Pinakbet with Chicharon

Filipino Style Recipe: Pinakbet or Pakbet with Chicharon (crispy pork rind) is a tasty vegetable dish consisting of different fresh vegetables, pork, and shrimp paste. One of my favorite when it comes to vegetables dishes as long as not overcooked.

Ingredients:
1/4 kilo pork belly, cut into small cubes
1 small pack chickaron (crispy pork rind), crushed
1/4 lbs. shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 squash, chopped into 2×1 inch cubes
1 large eggplant, cut in halves and sliced diagonally
1 bunch string beans(sitaw), cut in 2-inch length
6 pieces okra, cut diagonally
1 medium-sized bitter melon(ampalaya), cut in half seeded and slice diagonally
3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1 piece onion, chopped
1 tablespoon ginger, sliced in strips
3 large tomato, diced
4 tablespoon shrimp paste(bagoong alamang)
1 cup of water
3 tablespoon cooking oil
salt, sugar and pepper to balance the taste

Procedures:
1. In a pan, heat cooking oil over medium heat.
2. Saute the garlic, ginger, onion and tomato
3. Add the pork and cook for about 5-8 minutes or until color turns light brown.
4. Put-in the shrimp and shrimp paste and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Add water and increase the heat to bring it to a boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until pork is tender
6. Add the squash and cook for another 5-8 minutes or until texture becomes soft
7. Add in all the remaining vegetables, mix with the other ingredients.
8. Simmer for 5 minutes or until all the vegetables are cooked.(Do not overcook the vegetables)
9. Transfer to serving plate then sprinkle with crushed chicharon. Serve with rice. Share and Enjoy!