Bicol's Laing - (ga)Galing!

by acTTive

Based on health reports*, our brothers and sisters in the Bicol Region have a low incidence of heart ailment, attributing to the regular meal of coconut-based dishes.  Likewise, chili peppers, which they also consume in great amounts share the responsibility, claim by some alternative doctors.  Bicolenos and Bicolenas are fond of both in a form of a dish called "Pinangat" or popularly known in Manila as "Laing." 

Pinangat

Me and some guests from Manila, had a taste of the different flavors of laing, prepared by the locals.. and boy, weren't they all good!  From gooey to a little soupy, but chili ever so hot, it stings the palate. You will have to ask for the honey-coated pili nuts immediately!! Like now!! :)

Here's a recipe of the famous Laing (pinangat) from pinoyfoodblog.com.  Photo courtesy of the same site.
Ingredients
15-20 pieces wilted taro leaves (some markets already provide dried taro leaves)
2 coconuts, grated (prepare coconut milk)
1/4 kilo dried fish meat (bones removed)
1 large onion, diced
1 ginger, thumb sized
8 cloves garlic, minced
6 to 8 pieces cayenne peppers
1 tablespoon fermented shrimps (bagoong alamang)
salt to taste
tanglad or lemon grass

Directions
1. Tear leaves to pieces leaving about 6 large ones for wrapping. Set aside.
2. Extract coconut cream from grated coconut with 1 cup water. Set aside.
3. Get a second extraction with 2 cups water. Place half of the second extraction in a bowl and mix in the shredded leaves, dried fish meat, onion, ginger, garlic, peppers, fermented shrimps and seasoning.
Set aside the other cup of second extraction for step 5.
4. Wrap 3 tablespoons of the mixture (prepared in number 3) with the a spoonful thick cream (prepared in step 2) in each whole taro leaf. Pack tightly forming a square shape. Tie with a string or lemon grass. Do the same with the remaining mixture, the thick coconut cream and leaves. Set aside.
5. Pour second extraction (prepared in number 3) in a large pan and bring to a boil. Arrange wrapped mixture in a layer of boiling cream.
6. Simmer until liquid is reduced to one half. Pour in the remaining thick cream.
7. Cook until cream thickens and oil comes out.

Enjoy and Stay healthy!!
*studies cite the magnesium and potassium content of coconut oil as the reason for the low rates of heart disease.
*people in the Polynesian region get their dietary fat from coconut oil and shows low cholesterol values -170 milligrams in males and 176 milligrams in females
What about a Laing with a twist?!


Laing Pizza & Pasta

  
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