Knorr Sinigang sa Pakwan

Sinigang is a big part of our home kitchen, as it is I’m sure with so many Filipino family kitchens. It’s been one of my husband’s favorite Filipino dishes for as long as I have known him…longer actually, as he was loving it all the way to the beginnings of his childhood. I, on the other hand, although certainly enjoying it as a child as well, did not grow up with the intense fervor for sinigang that he did. Which is why, when we got married, I never really learned to properly cook it…and he did.

Note to wives: don’t think you need to learn all your husband’s favorite dishes! If pressed, he will learn to make them himself! And you may just be surprised at how delicious they can be.

As sinigang was something he could not live without, and I (like the perfect wife that I am) was being lazy about perfecting mine, he took it upon himself to learn how to make it. And the rest is history. He has different versions and techniques…from what he adds that may be out of the norm (ginger), to how he cuts his gabi (with a vegetable peeler). He is now the official sinigang maker in our home…winning over my mom, grandmother, and grand-aunt who all clamor for his sinigang regularly!

But…that doesn’t mean I can’t learn a new trick or two myself in the sinigang department, right? So when I was approached to join Knorr Philippines’ #LutongNanay campaign I quickly said yes. There needn’t be only one sinigang-maker in this home!

Knorr Lutong Nanay, which has been going on for three years already, advocates the value of delicious, home-cooked meals for the Filipino family…a cause that is near and dear to my heart. In the frenzied world we live in, we are always rushing of to one thing or the next, and often think that there is no way we could have time to cook. Especially if you are a working mom like me.  Yes, I do enjoy a nice meal out…or resort to take-out or home delivery when I am just up against it (things that I firmly believe no mom should ever feel guilty of…just so you know! It happens!). But, by and large, there is great value in the home cooked meal, prepared with care, shared with family and friends, for which I (also) believe we should make the extra effort.

And that extra effort need not be so momentous or difficult! Knorr Lutong Nanay carries out their mission by sharing with busy moms simple (and yummy!) recipes that helps them take these steps in the kitchen. Which, when I think about it, is one of my own personal missions as well…and this blog is the biggest avenue I use to achieve that.

Also, it must be said…we have been using Knorr sinigang mix for years!! Yes we have tried making sinigang from scratch (with sampaloc) but have never managed to strike the right balance. We will certainly keep trying, when work and play allows us a leisurely weekend to experiment, but for all these busy days (and nights!) we have our reliable sinigang mix to count on…and for that we are happy.

Although I was very excited to join in the fun, I wasn’t able to join the cooking event (huhuhu!) because it was my beloved husband’s birthday. Nevertheless, the folks at Knorr sent me all the recipes to try at home…and I am happy to report that they were a success! This Sinigang sa Pakwan was met with a lot of enthusiasm by my little ones in particular. I even sent some to my mom and grandmother to enjoy! I hope your family enjoys it as well.

Sinigang sa Pakwan
(from Knorr Philippines)

• 1 kg watermelon, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks
• 4 native tomatoes, quartered
• 1 kg pork spareribs, cut into 2-inch cubes
• 2 pieces gabi, peeled and cut into cubes
• 2 red onions, peeled and quartered
• 2-3 cups water, add as needed
• 2 pieces long green chili (sili pang-sigang)
• 1 bundle long beans (sitaw), cut into 2 ½” lengths
• 1 bundle water spinach (kang kong), cut into 2 ½” lengths
• 1 pack Knorr Sinigang sa Sampalok Original (20 grams)

– Combine watermelon, tomatoes, pork, gabi, onions, and water in a pot and bring to boil (add more water if needed). Reduce heat to simmer and cook until pork is tender.
– Add Knorr Sinigang sa Sampalok Original and vegetables. Stir well and simmer until vegetables are cooked. Adjust seasonings according to taste.

Yes this recipe is only two steps long!! The only part that takes a bit of time is waiting for the pork to get tender…but this is passive time, where you can be doing all the other things around the house that need to get done (and goodness knows there are a million of those!). The watermelon adds a touch of sweetness that I particularly like, as I’ve always loved a little sweet in my savory food.

Knorr shared other recipes with me too…all different twists on this favorite dish of ours (you may have seen me post them on Instagram): Sinigang na Grilled Liempo and Sizzling Sinigang. If any of you are interested in these recipes just drop me a line (my email is on the sidebar) and I’ll send it off to you!

So…what are you waiting for? Let’s get cooking!

P.S. I’m off to Hong Kong tomorrow but will see you all when I get back! Next up…a long-promised giveaway of Spain loot! Stayed tuned!!