Filipino Sinigang (Sour Tamarind Soup)

A beautifully sour tamarind broth soup with pork and vegetables. Sinigang is Filipino comfort food.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork ribs or belly, cut into pieces (or shrimp)
• 8 cups water
• 1 packet sinigang mix (tamarind-based) or 1/4 cup tamarind paste
• 1 medium tomato, quartered
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 1 cup green beans
• 1 cup kangkong (water spinach) or regular spinach
• 1 medium daikon, sliced
• 2 green chili peppers (optional)
• Fish sauce and salt to taste

Directions

Bring water to a boil. Add pork. Skim foam.

1. Add tomato and onion. Simmer 30-35 minutes until pork is tender.
2. Dissolve sinigang mix in hot broth and stir (or add tamarind paste).
3. Add daikon. Cook 5 minutes.
4. Add green beans and cook 3 more minutes.
5. Add kangkong/spinach. Cook 1-2 more minutes.
6. Season with fish sauce and salt. Adjust sourness.
7. Serve hot with rice.

Notes

The sourness level is personal preference — some like very tart sinigang. Adjust with more or less sinigang mix. The sourness comes from tamarind, which adds vitamin C and organic acids beneficial for digestion.