A Soulful Sinigang (Sour Soup)

Sinigang (Sour Soup) is a common Filipino dish; a tamarind base soup that is so soothing and comforting to taste. A bowl of this sour soup usually makes my day as if I'm drinking my stress away. This is an easy soup to make. The various amount of veggies used for this dish depends on the cook, including the type of meat or seafood preferred. The choice is totally yours!

For this instance, I used pork (pork shoulder with bones). I actually made this dish while my cousins were in town and I almost forgot about posting this. I guess it's better late than never. Here's to you, Z as promised. :-)

Ingredients:
2 lb of Pork (butt, shoulder or country style ribs) or Stewing Beef cut into pieces or Shrimp, Prawns or Fish (Milkfish Preferred)
Water (fill a 5 qt. Pot), salted
1 medium tomato, sliced
1 medium sweet onion, sliced
1 pkg Tamarind Soup Base (Knorr Brand preferred) - a traditionalist would use fresh tamarind pods or leaves, kamias (another sour fruit found in the tropics)
6-8 pieces of Taro Root (Gabi) or Potatoes
A bunch of Long String Beans (Sitaw), cut into 2-3 inch strips
1-2 Radish, sliced (optional)
Cabbage or Spinach or Kangkong (Swamp Cabbage) or Bokchoy or Mustard Greens
1-2 Pieces of Banana Peppers or Hot Peppers (optional)
Salt and Pepper
Fish Sauce or Nam Pla

Some people prefer adding okra or eggplant into this broth, but I don't like to use okra in this soup because it makes it really slimy. I like my broth clear and clean tasting :-)

Directions:
In a large pot, bring meat to a full boil in salted water. If using pork or beef, drain the first boil and refill with water. Skim the top for any residue/bubbles. Let it come to a full boil again. No need to do this step if using shrimp, prawns or fish. You don't want to overcook your seafood. Add tomato, onion and tamarind soup base. Cover and let it simmer until meat is tender. Add vegetables and let it simmer uncovered, until veggies are crisp-tender. Serve while hot with a side of jasmine rice and fish sauce. Pucker up, but this is one refreshing soup you'll never forget! Yummy!