Classic gising-gising gets a smoky upgrade! This recipe infuses creamy coconut milk with savory tinapang bangus for a quick and flavorful dish.

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Salty Meets Creamy: The smoky saltiness of tinapang bangus adds a depth of savory flavor that perfectly balances the creamy sweetness of the coconut milk in gising-gising. It elevates the dish beyond just a vegetable stew, making it more satisfying and complex.
Traditionally, gising-gising is cooked with ground pork, beef, or shrimp as protein, but tinapang bangus offers a unique twist.
Love coconut milk? Unlock a world of flavor with ginataang recipes! Try ginataang sitaw & kalabasa for a veggie delight, or a protein-rich ginataang pork.
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What is Gising-gising?
Gising-gising, literally meaning "wake up, wake up" in Filipino, is a spicy and vibrant vegetable stew. It originates from Nueva Ecija and Pampanga provinces in the Philippines. Traditionally made with chopped winged beans (sigarilyas) and coconut milk, it's known for its:
- Rich, creamy texture: Coconut milk creates a smooth and flavorful base.
- Spicy kick: Chili peppers like labuyo add a satisfying heat.
- Earthy tones: Chopped vegetables like green beans or winged beans contribute a delightful freshness.
So, What is Tinapang Bangus?
Tinapang bangus, a cornerstone of Filipino cuisine, features smoked milkfish. Smoking, the traditional curing method, infuses the fish with a deep, smoky flavor and a touch of saltiness. The result? Flaky, golden pieces bursting with savory goodness. Tinapang bangus goes beyond breakfast - enjoy it solo, flaked into rice dishes, or even incorporated into stews for a unique smoky twist just like this recipe.

Ingredients
- Green beans (or sigarilyas)
- Garlic
- Tinapang bangus
- Onion
- Coconut milk
- Beef powder
- Chilis
- Salt and pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Cook Gising-Gising
- Prep your vegetables: Wash and chop the green beans (or sigarilyas) into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and chop the onion.
- Heat the oil: In a pot or pan over medium heat, add a tablespoon of cooking oil.
- Sautรฉ the aromatics: Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add the garlic and chili: Stir in the crushed garlic and chopped Thai chilis. Sautรฉ for another minute, until fragrant.
- Coconut milk magic: Pour in the entire can of coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Season with beef powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Incorporate the green beans: Add the chopped green beans (or sigarilyas) to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften slightly.
- Introduce the smoky flavor: Stir in the shredded tinapang bangus and cook for another minute, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Simmer and thicken: Simmer the gising-gising for 5-7 minutes, or until the green beans are tender-crisp and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Adjust the heat: If you prefer a milder dish, remove some of the seeds from the Thai chilis before adding them.
- Serve and enjoy: Turn off the heat and transfer the gising-gising with tinapang bangus to a serving bowl. Serve with rice.
Rose's Top Tip
- For a richer flavor, you can use coconut cream instead of coconut milk.
- If you don't have Thai chilis, you can substitute them with red chili flakes or serrano peppers.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of tinapang bangus depending on your preference for smokiness.
Variations
Here are some ways to customize your gising-gising with tinapang bangus recipe for a personalized touch:
- Winged Beans: For a more authentic experience, replace the green beans with chopped winged beans (sigarilyas).
- Mixed Vegetables: Add other chopped vegetables like okra, eggplant, or kangkong (water spinach) for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
- Squash: For a sweeter twist, add diced calabaza (squash) and cook it for a few minutes before adding the green beans.
- Shrimp: Incorporate some cooked and shelled shrimp for a protein boost and a delightful combination with the tinapang bangus.
- Spicy Kick: Up the heat by adding a chopped siling labuyo (bird's eye chili) or increasing the amount of Thai chilies.
- Something savory: Instead of beef powder, use shrimp paste (bagoong alamang) for a deeper savory and umami taste.
- Crispy Shallots: Saute some thinly sliced shallots until golden brown and sprinkle them over the gising-gising for a delightful textural contrast.
Perfect One-Pan Meal!
This gising-gising with smoky tinapang bangus skips the dishwashing! Made in just one pan. It's a quick and flavorful meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.
Storage
Leftovers of this gising-gising with tinapang bangus can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Simply reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat for a satisfying second serving.
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Gising-Gising with Tinapang Bangus
Equipment
- 1 medium skillet, pan or wok
Ingredients
- 1 pound Green beans, ends trimmed and cut ยพ-1 inch or sigarilyas
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil, olive oil, or similar
- 1 tablespoon Garlic, crushed
- ยพ cup Tinapang bangus, shredded
- 1 medium Onion, minced
- 1 can Coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon Beef powder
- 2 pieces Red thai- chilis
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Prep your vegetables: Wash and chop the green beans (or sigarilyas) into bite-sized pieces. Mince the garlic and chop the onion.
- Heat the oil: In a pot or pan over medium heat, add cooking oil.
- Sautรฉ the aromatics: Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add the garlic and chili: Stir in the crushed garlic and chopped Thai chilis. Sautรฉ for another minute, until fragrant.
- Coconut milk magic: Pour in the entire can of coconut milk and bring to a simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Season with beef powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Incorporate the green beans: Add the chopped green beans (or sigarilyas) to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften slightly.
- Introduce the smoky flavor: Stir in the shredded tinapang bangus and cook for another minute, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Simmer and thicken: Simmer the gising-gising for 5-7 minutes, or until the green beans are tender-crisp and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Adjust the heat: If you prefer a milder dish, remove some of the seeds from the Thai chilis before adding them.
- Serve and enjoy: Turn off the heat and transfer the gising-gising with tinapang bangus to a serving bowl. Serve with rice.









