Pork Nilaga (Filipino version of Pork Stew)

Nilaga (Pork Stew) is a filipino  soup dish. In making stews, meat is placed in boiling water and cooked on the heat until tender followed by the different kinds of vegetables. This is one of the favorite dishes of my family, and it feels like we are digging some treasures when this dish is served on the table. My kids has their own favorite veges so I make sure that I have it on my nilaga. To personalized this dish, you can add any favorite veges,meat and spices that you can find in your local store.

Ingredients:

4-5 cups of water or more (for boiling)

500g  pork meat,cut into cubes ( pork ribs will do, if you like)

lemon grass (as much as you like)
50g ginger, smashed and sliced
1 medium size onion, sliced
2 small egg plants,sliced ( I used aubergine or big eggplant)
2 potatoes,sliced
2 carrots,sliced
half of a brocolli,divided into pieces
3 leaves of chinese cabbage,cut into 4 pcs. for each leaf
spring onion,sliced( as much as you like)
bell pepper,sliced
yellow corn.divided into 4 pcs
salt and pepper to taste
chili, optional (if you like hot and spicy)


(all the ingredients are sliced or cut into big pieces)


Procedure:

Boil the water in a casserolle and add 1 tsp of salt ,dashes of pepper and lemon grass (adjust according to your taste) . Add the meat and boil  until it is tender (around 40 mins- 1 hr)

Add onion and ginger.

Add potatoes, carrots and aubergine (big eggplant need more cooking than the small one).Boil for 3 minutes  or until the potatoes and carrots are half cooked.

Add  the rest of the ingredients and let it boil for 3-5 minutes in a low heat. I like when the vegetables are crunchy and not over cooked. Adjust the taste of the soup by adding more salt or pepper.

Serve Nilaga with rice or french bread just like my husband used to do:)

Happy cooking!!!