BICOL EXPRESS 🥰

[@mommykleyr019]

Bicol Express is a popular Filipino dish made with pork, coconut milk, chili peppers, and shrimp paste. It’s a spicy and flavorful dish originating from the Bicol region of the Philippines. Here’s how you can make it: ### Ingredients: - 1 lb (450g) pork belly, cut into bite-sized pieces - 1 cup coconut milk - 1 cup coconut cream - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 medium onion, chopped - 2 tablespoons shrimp paste (bagoong alamang) - 5-10 pieces of green chili peppers (siling haba), sliced diagonally (adjust according to heat preference) - 2-3 pieces of red chili peppers (siling labuyo), minced (optional, for extra spice) - 1 tablespoon cooking oil - Salt and pepper to taste ### Instructions: 1. **Prepare the Ingredients:** - Cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces. - Slice the green chili peppers and mince the red chili peppers (if using). - Mince the garlic and chop the onion. 2. **Cook the Pork:** - In a large pan or wok, heat the cooking oil over medium heat. - Add the pork belly pieces and cook until browned on all sides. This will take about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. 3. **Sauté the Aromatics:** - Push the pork to one side of the pan and add the minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté until fragrant and the onion becomes translucent. 4. **Add Shrimp Paste:** - Stir in the shrimp paste and cook for about 2 minutes. The shrimp paste will enhance the flavor of the dish with its umami and salty taste. 5. **Add Coconut Milk and Simmer:** - Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pork becomes tender. 6. **Add Chili Peppers:** - Add the green and red chili peppers to the pan. Stir well to distribute the heat from the chilies throughout the dish. Let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes. 7. **Finish with Coconut Cream:** - Pour in the coconut cream and cook for an additional 5 minutes. The coconut cream will thicken the sauce and make it rich and creamy. 8. **Season to Taste:** - Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper as needed. If you want it spicier, you can add more chopped red chili peppers. 9. **Serve:** - Serve hot with steamed rice. Enjoy your Bicol Express! ### Tips: - Adjust the amount of chili according to your spice tolerance. - Some variations of Bicol Express include adding vegetables like long beans or eggplant for added texture and flavor. Enjoy this rich and spicy dish!