Bicol Express (Pork in Spicy Coconut Sauce)
Bicol express made with pork belly simmered in coconut milk and coconut cream with garlic, shrimp paste, and chili peppers until the sauce thickens. Ready in under an hour, with a spicy, savory finish and a creamy texture that holds up well over rice.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 422kcal
Equipment
- 1 pan or skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Cooking Oil
- 6 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 cup shallots or onion chopped
- 1 pound Pork Shoulder or Pork Belly cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon Sauteed Shrimp Paste or Bagoong Guisado
- 2 cups Coconut milk
- 1 cup Coconut Cream (optional) to make the sauce creamier and balance the heat.
- 5-8 pieces Chili Peppers whole or chopped
- 1 tablespoon Fish Sauce for seasoning and added umami.
- ½ cup Water (optional)
Instructions
- Saute Garlic, onion and Pork: Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan. Sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the pork belly or pork shoulder and cook until browned on all sides.
- Add Shrimp Paste: Stir in the sauteed shrimp paste and let it cook with the pork for 3-4 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Coconut Milk Time: Add the coconut milk and coconut cream, stirring well. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
- Add Chili Peppers: Toss in the chili peppers and green peppers. Adjust the amount of chili depending on your spice tolerance. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Season: Add fish sauce, then taste and adjust seasoning. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water to loosen it up.
- Finish and Serve: Simmer everything on low heat for an additional 5-7 minutes until the pork is tender and the sauce is creamy. Serve hot with rice!
Notes
- Control the Spice: If you're not a fan of spicy food, start with fewer chili peppers and gradually increase.
- Use Fatty Cuts: Pork belly gives the best flavor and texture due to its fat content, but pork shoulder works too.
- Simmer Slowly: Cooking the dish on low heat helps the pork become tender and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Adjust Creaminess: Add more coconut milk if you prefer a thinner sauce, or reduce it for a thicker, richer consistency.
- Serve Fresh: This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but it tastes even better after the flavors sit for a day.
Nutrition
Calories: 422kcal | Carbohydrates: 13.7g | Protein: 12.5g | Fat: 37.2g | Saturated Fat: 27.7g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 4236mg | Fiber: 2.9g | Sugar: 5.2g
