Binagoongan facts for kids
Binagoongang baboy with fried eggplants
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| Course | Main dish |
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| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Similar dishes | Pinatisan, Bicol Express, Laing, Philippine adobo |
Binagoongan is a super tasty Filipino dish! It's made by cooking vegetables like water spinach or meats like pork, chicken, or beef. The secret ingredient is bagoong alamang (that's shrimp paste!). It also has garlic, black peppercorns, and bay leaves.
Some recipes even add yummy pineapples, spicy chilis, or creamy coconut cream. These extra ingredients help balance the strong flavors. Binagoongan is usually quite salty and has a rich, savory taste called umami. Because it's so flavorful, it's always eaten with plain white rice and never by itself. It's a bit like pinatisan, which uses patis (fish sauce), another product made from bagoong.
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What is Binagoongan?
Binagoongan is a popular dish from the Philippines. It's known for its unique and strong flavor. The name "Binagoongan" comes from the word bagoong, which is a special fermented paste.
The Main Ingredient: Bagoong
The star of Binagoongan is bagoong alamang. This is a paste made from tiny fermented shrimp. It gives the dish its super salty and savory taste. Think of it like a very flavorful seasoning that makes everything taste amazing! Bagoong is a very important ingredient in many Filipino dishes.
How Binagoongan is Cooked
Binagoongan is usually cooked in one of two ways:
- Sautéed: This means the ingredients are quickly fried in a little oil.
- Braised: This means the ingredients are slowly cooked in liquid until they are very tender.
The cooking process starts by sautéing garlic and then adding the bagoong alamang. After that, the meat or vegetables are added and cooked until they are tender and soaked in the rich bagoong flavor.
Different Kinds of Binagoongan
There are many ways to make Binagoongan! It can be made with different meats or even just vegetables.
Binagoongan with Meat
The most common type is Binagoongang baboy, which means Binagoongan with pork. The pork is cooked until it's super tender and full of flavor. You can also find Binagoongan made with chicken or beef. Each meat gives the dish a slightly different taste and texture.
Binagoongan with Vegetables
If you prefer vegetables, you can try Binagoongang kangkong. Kangkong is also known as water spinach. It's a leafy green vegetable that tastes great cooked with bagoong. This version is lighter but still packed with flavor.
Flavor Variations
Some cooks like to add extra ingredients to their Binagoongan:
- Pineapple: Adding pineapple makes the dish a little sweet and tangy. This helps to balance the saltiness of the bagoong.
- Chili: If you like spicy food, chilis can be added to give it a kick!
- Coconut Cream: For a richer and creamier taste, some recipes include coconut cream. This makes the sauce thicker and even more delicious.
Serving Binagoongan
Binagoongan is almost always served hot with a big helping of plain white rice. The rice helps to balance the strong, salty taste of the dish. It's like the perfect partner for Binagoongan!
Sometimes, it's served with fried eggplant on the side. The soft eggplant goes really well with the savory Binagoongan. It's a popular main dish in Filipino homes and restaurants.
