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How to cook nagmamantikang Bicol express

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How to cook nagmamantikang bicol express.
How to cook nagmamantikang bicol express.

Let me start this blog entry by saying that I am no expert in ginataan dishes, and that I am not claiming that this is the authentic way of cooking this dish. For one I am not a Bicolana, and number two I am just like any smitten turista who wanted to replicate the taste of the nagmamantikang Bicol Express that I have eaten in Legazpi, the ones I have bought in pasalubong centers along the way, and the ones that I have sampled in Bicolano homes that have welcomed us.

The other day, I was so happy because finally, my ginataan dish is not palpak at all. And Id like to share with you, fellow amateur home cooks, how I prepared this dish.

Nagmamantikang Bicol Express

Excuse the almost dried up siling labuyo, but as i said, this is an unlocked achievement for me.

You see, for my 2018 #cookinggoals i said that will try to cook more ginataan dishes since i enjoy them a lot.

And one of those dishes is Bicol Express. I specifically wanted that which i usually eat when in Legazpi. I wanted the naglalangis, the one with more sili than pork. The one which Bicolanos say is just a side dish and not an ulam. I want my refrigerator to constantly have this “side dish.”

So fast forward to today — I tried to cook my very first Bicol Express. The Nagmamantika version. Thanks to my neighbor who gave me the recipe that she learned from her lola. It may be good to note that I use an induction cooker such that the lowest simmer here can still be medium fire if compared to a gas stove.

Anyway, for newbie cooking mamas who may want to replicate the dish, here’s a rough guide:

INGREDIENTS
The ingredients to cook Bicol Express are simple, easy to source and will more or less cost you less than P150.00.
The ingredients to cook Bicol Express are simple, easy to source and will more or less cost you less than P150.00.
  • Coconut Cream or Kakang Gata of one niyog (First extract)
  • Coconut Milk of one niyog (secnd extract)
  • 12 Pcs Siling Haba
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 Thumb-sized ginger chopped
  • 2 to 2 1/2 Tbsp of Bagoong Alamang
  • Pinch of Ground Pepper
  • 1/4 Kg of Pork (some use kasim, some liempo, but i simplified my choice by just buying menudo cut)
  • 2-3 pieces of siling labuyo if you can handle more heat
tip: use a heavy bottom pan, and it will be best to store the dish in a vacuum sealed glass container so you can refrigerate or freeze accordingly

Cooking Procedure for Bicol Express:

1. Combine the coconut milk (second extract), chopped ginger, chopped onion, and chopped garlic, plus the cubed pork (part depends on you, but i used menudo cut) in a pot. Add a dash of pepper.
My neighbor who taught me how to cook this dish emphasized that i should stir continuously so that the milk will not curdle, the bottom of the pan would not get messed up, and that I could achieve the paglalangis easily.
My neighbor who taught me how to cook this dish emphasized that i should stir continuously so that the milk will not curdle, the bottom of the pan would not get messed up, and that I could achieve the paglalangis easily.

2. Heat through medium fire, and then simmer while stirring continuously until the mixture has almost dried up. Emphasis on CONTINUOUSLY, as in do not let the mixture sit or boil or simmer on its own because the milk will curdle.

Wait until the mixture gets almost dried up.
Wait until the mixture gets almost dried up.

3. When it is almost dried up add in the Kakang Gata or the First extract. Add in as well 2 to 2 tbsps of bagoong alamang, the 12 pieces of sliced siling haba, and your siling labuyo if you can stomach a higher level of spiciness.

The kakang gata is added during the second part of the cooking process.
The kakang gata is added during the second part of the cooking process.

4. Then to achieve the desired oiliness of the recipe, just stir continuously over low heat.

TADAAAAAAA…

The nagmamantikang Bicol Express which is an unlocked achievement of yours truly.
The nagmamantikang Bicol Express which is an unlocked achievement of yours truly.

For more recipes for newbie cooking mamas, i invite you to head over the meals and recipes section of my blog at happypinaymommy.com.

You may also want to check out our Facebook Album for more recipes and toddler and baby food ideas, as well as meal plans. Hope you can also follow us in Instagram and Pinterest where we regularly post recipes, baby and toddler food ideas, and anything that will interest a happy Pinay mommy like you 😊

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