Sinigang na Hipon sa Gabi (Shrimp Sour Soup with Taro)

Sinigang or sour soup is a typical Filipino broth mainly made of whole shrimps and fresh vegetables.  If you are in the Philippines tamarinds can be found anywhere, however; if you reside overseas, Sinigang mix packs are readily available at any Filipino or Asian stores.  This is very simple yet incredibly delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 kilo shrimps
1 talong (eggplant), cut diagonally
1 radish, cut diagonally
4 pcs okra
3 pcs sitaw (string beans), cut into 2 inches
1 gabi (taro), cut diagonally
1 tomato, sliced
1 onion, sliced
2 siling haba (long green pepper)
750 ml water or hinugasan ng bigas (rice water)
1 pack sinigang mix or sinigang mix with gabi
1 bunch kangkong leaves
patis (fish sauce), to taste
black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Boil water with tomato and onion.
2. Put in gabi and and radish and cook for 5 to 8 minutes.
3. Add sinigang mix and cook for 3 minutes.  Make sure to mix well and avoid lumps.
4. Add the rest of the vegetables and shrimp.  Continue cooking for around 10 - 15 minutes.
5. Add kangkong leaves and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.  Season well with patis and black pepper.
6. Transfer in a serving bowl.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!

SUGGESTIONS:

1. Make sure shrimps are cleaned and deveined.  Fresh shrimps with head attached make your soup more savory.
2. If kangkong leaves are not available, you can substitute it with petsay (bok choy) instead then turn off the heat after adding.  Do not remove the cover of the cooking pot and let it cook with the remaining heat for 3 minutes.