"Sinigang na Bangus sa Tunay na Sampalok" (Milkfish in Real Tamarind Broth)

Ingredients:

• 5 cups rice wash
• 150 grams tamarind fruit (sampalok)
• 1 large red onion
• 3 large red plump tomatoes
• 2-3 pcs small pcs native taro (gabing tagalog)
• 5 pcs okra, remove both ends
• 5 pcs string beans (sitaw), cut at 2" length
• 1 small radish (labanos), sliced diagonally
• 2 tsps iodized coarse salt
• 1/2 kg milkfish, scaled, gutted & cut into 5 pcs diagonally
• 1 small eggplant (talong), sliced at 1/8" thick
• 2-3 pcs finger chilis
• half-bunch of swamp cabbage (kangkong), leaves & tender stalks only

Procedure:

In a claypot or earthpot (palayok), put the first-five ingredients. Cover. Over medium heat. Bring to boil. Bubble away for 12-15 minutes. Mash carefully the tomatoes and tamarind fruit.

Add accordingly the okra, string beans, radish, salt and milkfish. Swirl the pot. Cover. Cook for 5 minutes.

Put the chilis and eggplant. Cook for a minute. Follow with swamp cabbage. Cook until done.

Serve hot.