Filipino Sinigang Sour Soup (Printable version)

Classic Filipino comfort dish with tangy tamarind broth, tender pork, and fresh vegetables.

# List of ingredients:

01 - 2.2 pounds pork belly or pork ribs, cut into chunks

02 - 2 medium tomatoes, quartered

03 - 1 large onion, peeled and quartered

04 - 1 daikon radish, peeled and sliced

05 - 10 string beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

06 - 1 eggplant, sliced

07 - 2 cups spinach leaves or water spinach, washed

08 - 2 long green chili peppers

09 - 1 packet (1.4 ounces) tamarind soup base mix

10 - 2 tablespoons fish sauce

11 - 1 teaspoon salt

12 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

13 - 6 cups water

01 - Bring water to a boil in a large stockpot. Add pork chunks, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.

02 - Add quartered tomatoes and onions. Simmer for 20 minutes until pork begins to tenderize.

03 - Stir in sliced daikon radish and continue cooking for 10 minutes.

04 - Add eggplant slices, string beans, and green chili peppers. Simmer for 5 minutes.

05 - Dissolve tamarind soup base into the simmering liquid, stirring until fully incorporated.

06 - Add fish sauce, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

07 - Add spinach leaves and simmer for 2-3 minutes until just wilted. Remove from heat.

08 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and serve immediately with steamed white rice.

01 -

The sour broth cuts through rich meats and refreshes your palate in ways nothing else does
Its the kind of soup that heals everything from colds to bad days

02 -

Skimming the scum off pork as it boils makes the difference between a cloudy broth and one that is clear and restaurant quality
Add seafood proteins like shrimp or fish during only the last ten minutes or they will become tough and rubbery

03 -

Make the broth a day ahead and refrigerate overnight so you can skim off the solidified fat for a lighter soup
Crush some tamarind pulp through your fingers while adding it to release every bit of sour flavor