| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 25 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 230 | 16g | 2g | 24g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 7g | 5g | 0.75g |
Why I Love Filipino Sauteed Mixed Vegetables – Bahay Kubo Style
One of my favorite dishes to whip up in the kitchen is the Filipino delight, Sauteed Mixed Vegetables – Bahay Kubo Style. It’s a symphony of colors and flavors, ringing true to the vibrant spirit of the Philippines. Just like New York, the Philippines is a melting pot of diverse influences, and this humble dish is a testament to that.
The Ingredients
This recipe brings together a broad range of ingredients, each adding its own unique touch. The traditional Filipino recipe calls for a mix of vegetables – everything from bell peppers and carrots to eggplant, okra, and bitter gourd. These are sautéed to perfection in vegetable oil and served up with a dollop of optional shrimp paste.
While the combination may seem unusual to some, each ingredient within Sauteed Mixed Vegetables – Bahay Kubo Style brings something different to the final dish. Just like the Broadway shows I frequently perform in, each actor on stage – irrespective of how big or small their role – plays a significant part in creating the final spectacle. This dish truly is a performance of its own!
The Inspiration
Although there isn’t always a noted chef who inspires each of my culinary creations, this recipe takes me back to the time I met Chef Manila. Her ability to blend traditional Filipino flavors with modern techniques never fails to amaze me. This dish was one of the first I ever tried to emulate after one of her captivating cooking sessions.
And like in New York’s food scene, where different cuisine styles exist side-by-side, this Bahay Kubo style recipe captures the harmonious existence of diverse elements. Different ingredients, each with a distinctive character, come together in a symphony of flavors, creating a dish that is more than the sum of its parts.
It’s difficult to miss the parallel here with my own home city – the cosmopolitan New York. A place where diverse cultures and cuisines all find a melding point. And maybe, just maybe, that’s why I, Ethan Brown, find such affection for this recipe.
Next time you’re in the mood to try something different, give this Sauteed Mixed Vegetables – Bahay Kubo Style recipe a shot. It might be a bit unconventional from what you’re used to, but who knows? It might just end up being a favorite!
What You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 medium size onion, chopped
- 2 medium size tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium size red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 medium size green bell pepper, cut into strips
- 2 medium size carrots, cut into strips
- 1 cup chopped pumpkin
- 1 cup chopped bitter gourd
- 1 cup green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup chopped eggplant
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 cup jicama, cut into strips
- 1 cup sliced okra
- 3/4 cup water
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup shrimp paste (optional)
Method
Step One
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté until it becomes fragrant and lightly browned. This will take about a minute.
Step Two
Add the chopped onions to the pan, and continue to sauté until the onions become translucent. This usually takes around 2-3 minutes.
Step Three
Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan, along with the strips of bell pepper. Continue to sauté the mixture for another 3-5 minutes until the tomatoes become tender.
Step Four
Add the carrots, pumpkin, bitter gourd, green beans, eggplant, cabbage, jicama, and okra to the pan. Gently mix all the ingredients together using a wooden spoon.
Step Five
Pour water into the pan, cover it with a lid and let the mixture simmer. Continue to cook the vegetables until they are soft yet still with a bit of crunch to them. This usually takes around 10-15 minutes.
Step Six
Add salt, pepper, and optionally, shrimp paste, to the pan. Stir the vegetables thoroughly to ensure that the salt, pepper, and paste are evenly distributed throughout the mix.
Step Seven
Serve your Sauteed Mixed Vegetables – Bahay Kubo Style while it’s hot and enjoy!
