Ginisang Mongo

Ginisang Mongo Recipe - Delicious Filipino Dish with Mung Beans and Pork

Region / culture: Philippines | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 45 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Ginisang Mongo is a traditional Filipino dish made with mung beans, pork, and vegetables. It is a hearty and nutritious meal that is perfect for any day of the week.

History

Ginisang Mongo has been a staple in Filipino cuisine for generations. It is a dish that is often served in households across the Philippines, especially during the rainy season when mung beans are in abundance.

Ingredients

1 cup mung beans, washed and soaked in tepid water for 30 minutes prior to boiling
1 tbsp cooking oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small onion, sliced
1 cup thinly sliced pork
2 tbsp patis (fish sauce) - optional
3 medium tomatoes, sliced
1 cup broth (or more; may use water; add according to the desired consistency)
salt and pepper to taste
bitter melon leaves or 2 cups spinach leaves (or amount depends on preference)
0.5 cup shredded tinapa (smoked herring) - optional
chicharon (if desired)

How to prepare

Boil mung beans for 30 minutes over moderately-low heat.
Check periodically to ensure it does not dry out.
Stir occasionally.
When almost ready, sauté the garlic, onion, and pork for about 2 minutes, then add tomatoes and sauté for about 1 minute.
Add patis (and tinapa, if using) and let it simmer for about 10 seconds.
Add mongo and broth.
Cover and simmer (you may lower the heat further) for about 5 minutes.
If you are using shrimp, you may add it at this point.
Stir and adjust the taste with salt and pepper.
Turn off the heat and add the bitter melon leaves or spinach, stirring them in.

Variations

You can add shrimp or fish fillet to make it a seafood version of Ginisang Mongo.
You can also add other vegetables such as squash, eggplant, or okra to add more flavor and texture to the dish.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Soaking the mung beans for 30 minutes prior to boiling helps to soften them and reduce cooking time.

- Sautéing the garlic, onion, and pork before adding the mung beans adds depth of flavor to the dish.

- Adjust the amount of water according to your desired consistency. Some prefer a thicker stew, while others prefer a soupier consistency.

Serving Suggestions

Ginisang Mongo is best served hot with steamed rice on the side. It can also be enjoyed with a side of fried fish or grilled meat.

Cooking Techniques

Boiling the mung beans for 30 minutes prior to cooking helps to soften them and reduce cooking time.

- Sautéing the garlic, onion, and pork before adding the mung beans adds depth of flavor to the dish.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can substitute pork with chicken or beef for a different flavor profile.

- You can also use tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version of Ginisang Mongo.

Make Ahead Tips

Ginisang Mongo can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Ginisang Mongo can be served in a bowl with a garnish of chopped green onions or cilantro on top. You can also sprinkle some chicharon on top for added crunch.

Pairing Recommendations

Ginisang Mongo pairs well with steamed rice, fried fish, or grilled meat. It can also be enjoyed with a side of pickled vegetables or atchara.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Ginisang Mongo can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place in a saucepan over low heat until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

One serving of Ginisang Mongo contains approximately 250 calories.

Carbohydrates

One serving of Ginisang Mongo contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

One serving of Ginisang Mongo contains approximately 10 grams of fats.

Proteins

One serving of Ginisang Mongo contains approximately 15 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Ginisang Mongo is rich in vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, and Calcium.

Alergens

Ginisang Mongo may contain allergens such as fish (if using patis or tinapa) and shrimp.

Summary

Ginisang Mongo is a nutritious dish that is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and essential vitamins and minerals. It is a hearty and satisfying meal that is perfect for any occasion.

Summary

Ginisang Mongo is a delicious and nutritious Filipino dish made with mung beans, pork, and vegetables. It is a comforting meal that is perfect for any day of the week.

How did I get this recipe?

I have a clear memory of the first time I saw this recipe for Ginisang Mongo. It was a warm summer day, and I was visiting my aunt in the province. She was a fantastic cook, and I always looked forward to her delicious meals whenever I visited. On that particular day, she was making Ginisang Mongo, a traditional Filipino dish made with mung beans, shrimp, and vegetables.

I watched intently as my aunt worked her magic in the kitchen. She sautéed garlic and onions in a large pot until they were fragrant, then added the shrimp and cooked them until they were pink and cooked through. Next, she added the mung beans, which had been soaked overnight to soften them. She stirred everything together, letting the flavors meld and mingle.

As the dish simmered on the stove, filling the air with mouthwatering aromas, my aunt told me the story of how she learned to make Ginisang Mongo. She explained that she had first tasted the dish when she was a young girl, visiting her grandmother in the mountains. Her grandmother, a skilled cook in her own right, had passed down the recipe to her, along with many other traditional dishes.

My aunt had watched her grandmother prepare Ginisang Mongo countless times, absorbing every detail and technique. She had learned to cook by watching and helping her grandmother in the kitchen, and the memories of those days had stayed with her throughout her life.

As my aunt finished cooking the dish, she added a handful of fresh spinach and let it wilt into the mixture. She then seasoned the Ginisang Mongo with fish sauce, salt, and pepper, adjusting the flavors until they were just right. Finally, she ladled the steaming hot dish into bowls and served it with steamed rice and a side of fried fish.

I eagerly took my first bite of the Ginisang Mongo, savoring the rich flavors and comforting warmth of the dish. It was like nothing I had ever tasted before – a perfect balance of savory, salty, and slightly sweet flavors that danced on my tongue.

From that moment on, I was hooked. I begged my aunt to teach me how to make Ginisang Mongo, and she happily obliged. We spent the rest of the day in the kitchen, with my aunt guiding me through each step of the recipe. I chopped vegetables, peeled shrimp, and stirred the pot with care, trying to replicate the flavors and textures that my aunt had perfected over the years.

As the sun began to set and the sky turned a dusky pink, we sat down to enjoy our labor of love. The Ginisang Mongo was even more delicious than I remembered, and I felt a deep sense of satisfaction knowing that I had helped create such a beautiful and tasty dish.

Over the years, I have made Ginisang Mongo many times, always thinking back to that day in my aunt's kitchen. I have added my own personal touches to the recipe, experimenting with different ingredients and techniques to make it my own.

But no matter how many times I make it, the memories of that first time will always stay with me. The taste of Ginisang Mongo will always remind me of family, tradition, and the joy of cooking and sharing a meal with loved ones.

And so, as I sit down to enjoy a steaming bowl of Ginisang Mongo today, I give thanks to my aunt for teaching me this wonderful recipe and for passing down a piece of her heritage to me. Cooking is not just about following a set of instructions – it is about love, tradition, and the stories that we carry with us in every dish we create.