Associate producer of Houston Life prepares Filipino dish with mother

HOUSTON – May is American Heritage Month for the people of the Asian and Pacific Islands, and we celebrate it with fun and, of course, food. Throughout the month, we will share unique cooking demonstrations featuring authentic Asian dishes prepared by Houstonians and their parents.

This week, I'm sharing a classic Filipino dish that I made with (A LOT) with the help of my mom, Susan Endaluz.

First of all, here is some general information. My mom was born in the Philippines. She raised two children there (my older brothers). So, 14 years after having my second child, I was conceived. After which she, my father, and my older brothers immigrated to the United States when they were pregnant with me. Can you imagine that: moving to another country, away from your family and support system, while carrying another child 14 years after your last pregnancy? She’s crazy.

I was born shortly after arriving in the United States, becoming the first American citizen born in my immediate family. Since then, we have lived across the country, we always find Asian supermarkets with the necessary ingredients for our Filipino dishes.

My two younger brothers were born in Houston, where I currently reside. My mother now lives in San Diego, California. Both regions, like much of the country, have booming Asian populations. Although we didn't necessarily choose these cities because of this, I personally could not understand living in a place that did not have access to very good Asian cuisine. Ask someone who knows me. Can i put. THIS. FAR.

Unfortunately, my ability to cook Asian dishes is pale compared to my ability to eat them. Therefore, I asked my mother's help to prepare a comforting and familiar dish that my 40-year-old devastated body and soul needed: sinigang na hipon, a sour soup full of vegetables , root vegetables and shrimp. There are many variations of this dish, some with different proteins like pork or different vegetables like eggplant or okra, but this is the recipe my mom always makes, which of course makes it the best recipe.

SINIGANG NA HIPON

Ingredients:

• Sinigang / tamarind soup mix (can be found in Asian grocery stores)
• 1 pound of shrimp or shrimp (with head and shell)
• 1 C. sitaw also known as Japanese long beans (replace green beans if necessary)
• 1 C. fresh spinach
• 5 small taro roots
• 1 green pepper
• 1 roma tomato
• 1 small yellow onion
• 1 tablespoon sliced ​​fresh ginger root
• Rice

Addresses:

1. Cook the rice with your favorite method.
2. Bring 5 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan, then adjust to medium heat
3. Clean and peel the taro roots and set aside in a medium microwave-safe bowl
4. Clean and cut the tomato in half and place it in the same bowl as the taro roots
5. Fill 1/3 of the bowl with water and microwave for 3-4 min.
6. Clean, peel and cut the onion into small pieces
7. Clean, seed and cut the pepper into 8 pieces.
8. Clean and cut the sitaw into 2 inch pieces; destemming if necessary
9. Clean and cut the ginger into thin slices
10. Clean and prepare the shrimp by removing the antennae
11. Add the soup mixture to the pan with boiling water and stir
12. Add ginger, onion, bell pepper and sitaw slices to the pan
13. Remove the tomato and taro roots from the microwave and mash a taro root; add everything to the pot
14. Stir until all vegetables are tender
15. Add spinach and shrimp to the pot
16. Simmer until the prawns are fully cooked (opaque pinkish white)
17. Remove from heat, serve with rice and enjoy!

You celebrate your culinary victory with your mother: