Bicol Express

Experience the bold and fiery flavors of the Philippines with this authentic Bicol Express recipe. A beloved dish from the Bicol region, this creamy and spicy stew combines tender pork belly with rich coconut milk, shrimp paste (bagoong), and a medley of Thai chili peppers and long green chilies for a perfect balance of heat and savory umami. Infused with garlic, onion, and ginger, every spoonful offers a burst of aromatic delight. Ready in just under an hour, this one-pan meal is best enjoyed with freshly steamed rice to soak up its luscious sauce. Perfect for spice lovers seeking a taste of Filipino cuisine, this dish is a surefire way to heat up your dinner table!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Pork belly
• 400 ml Coconut milk
• 6 pieces Thai chili peppers
• 4 pieces Long green chilies
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 1 large Onion
• 1 thumb-sized piece Ginger
• 2 tablespoons Shrimp paste (bagoong)
• 2 tablespoons Cooking oil
• 1 cup Water
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cut the pork belly into bite-sized cubes and set aside.

Step 2

Slice the onion and ginger thinly, mince the garlic, and chop both the Thai and long green chilies into small pieces. Set aside.

Step 3

Heat the cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the garlic, onion, and ginger to the pan and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.

Step 5

Add the pork to the pan, cooking until the pork is lightly browned on all sides.

Step 6

Stir in the shrimp paste (bagoong) and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, ensuring the paste is well integrated with the pork.

Step 7

Pour the water into the pan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer until the pork is tender, about 20-25 minutes.

Step 8

Add the coconut milk, stirring well to blend it with the pork and spices.

Step 9

Let the mixture simmer for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.

Step 10

Add the chopped Thai chili peppers and long green chilies to the pan, stirring them in well.

Step 11

Season with salt and ground black pepper, adjusting to taste.

Step 12

Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the chilies are cooked but still vibrant in color.

Step 13

Serve hot with steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1514.3 grams (1514.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3201

Total Fat 296.90g	381%
Saturated Fat 101.40g	507%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 420mg	140%
Sodium 5820mg	253%
Total Carbohydrate 73.10g	27%
Dietary Fiber 6.60g	24%
Total Sugars 41.80g
Protein 60.20g	120%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 204mg	16%
Iron 5mg	28%
Potassium 1898mg	40%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 83.4%

Protein: 7.5%

Carbs: 9.1%