Bicol Express recipe

Bicol Express

by @mrsrosen19
Prep Time
15min
Cook Time
40min
Total Time
55min

A spicy and creamy Filipino dish made with pork belly, shrimp paste, and coconut milk.

Ingredients

4 Servings
(1 serving = 1 portion)

Main Ingredients

  • 500g
    pork belly
  • 1tbsp
    cooking oil
  • 1piece
    onion, chopped
  • 4clove
    garlic, minced
  • 1piece
    thumb-sized ginger, sliced
  • 3tbsp
    shrimp paste (bagoong)
  • 6piece
    long green chilies, sliced diagonally
  • 2piece
    red chili peppers, chopped (optional)
  • 2cups
    coconut milk
  • 1cup
    coconut cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

How to make Bicol Express

Prepare the Pork

  1. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté the pork until it turns light brown and the fat starts to render, about 5-7 minutes.

Sauté Aromatics

  1. Add the onions, garlic, and ginger to the pan. Sauté until the onions become soft and translucent.

Add Shrimp Paste

  1. Stir in the shrimp paste (bagoong). Cook for about 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors with the pork and aromatics.

Add Chilies

  1. Add the long green chilies and red chili peppers (if using). Stir and cook for about 2 minutes.

Pour Coconut Milk

  1. Add the coconut milk and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing the pork to become tender and the sauce to thicken.

Add Coconut Cream

  1. Pour in the coconut cream for a richer sauce. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent curdling.

Season and Serve

  1. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Once the sauce is thick and creamy, remove from heat.

Serve

  1. Bicol Express is best enjoyed with steamed rice.

Tips & Tricks

  1. For a less spicy version, reduce the number of red chili peppers.

  2. Stir occasionally to prevent the coconut milk from curdling.