Entree: Philippines – Ilocano – Inabraw (An Ilocano mixed vegetable stew simmered with fish and fermented fish sauce)

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 15 min

Cook 20 min

Total 35 min

Ingredients

- 1 whole milkfish (bangus), cleaned and butterflied, approx. 1 lb (450 g)
- 3 tbsp (45 g) bagoong isda (fermented fish sauce) or salted fermented fish paste
- 4 cups (960 ml) water
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 medium tomato, quartered
- 8 oz (225 g) sitaw (string beans), cut into 2 in (5 cm) pieces
- 6 oz (170 g) eggplant, cut into 1 in (2.5 cm) pieces
- 6 oz (170 g) okra, trimmed
- 1 small ampalaya (bitter melon), seeds removed and sliced into 1/4 in (0.5 cm) rounds
- 1 cup (30 g) sweet potato leaves or malunggay (moringa) leaves, packed
- 6 kamias (bilimbi) or 2 tbsp (30 ml) cane vinegar, for mild souring (use kamias if available)
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) sugar (optional, to balance)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Grill or pan-fry the butterflied milkfish over medium heat until cooked through and slightly charred, about 4–5 minutes per side; set aside. Reserve any pan juices to add to the stew if desired.
2. In a wide saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Sauté the garlic, onion, and tomato until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add the bagoong isda and cook 1 minute, stirring to combine.
3. Pour in the water and bring to a simmer. Add the sitaw and eggplant and simmer 4–6 minutes until they begin to soften.
4. Add the okra, ampalaya, and kamias (or vinegar), reduce heat, and simmer another 3–5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
5. Gently add the grilled milkfish to the simmering vegetables to warm through, spooning some broth over the fish so it absorbs flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning with sugar and black pepper.
6. Stir in the sweet potato leaves or malunggay and remove from heat once the leaves have just wilted, about 1 minute.
7. Serve the Inabraw hot with steamed rice, making sure each serving includes both vegetables and fish.