Oh My Gulay

Ginataang Laing

This is one of my favorite Bikol dish. Although this is not readily available here in my place, I see to it that I cook this at least once a month. Here's the recipe:

• 1 kilo     Taro leaves with stem or Dahon ng gabi na may tangkay
• 1/2 kilo  Coconut shredded or Kinayod na niyog
• 3 cups of water
• 1/4 cup   Shrimp paste or Balaw
• Garlic, Onion, Ginger (just estimate)
• Msg & Salt to taste
• a tbsp of Oil
• 2 pcs of Red Chilies
• 2 stems of Lemongrass or Tanglad

Squeeze the shredded coconut in 1 cup of water and set aside the coconut milk (liputok in bikol language). Add another 2 cups of water for the shredded coconut for the second time and squeeze then set aside the coconut milk.

Heat oil in a pan. Saute garlic, onion, ginger and balaw. Add the second squeezed coconut milk and the lemongrass. Gently stir to mix the ingredients. Add msg, and salt.

Once the mixture starts to boil add the taro leaves and stems. Do not stir. Let it stay until the vegetable absorb the coconut milk. Once the vegetable absorbs the coconut milk stir it and then continue to cook for about 10 minutes. If its dry already add the coconut milk that was first set aside (liputok). Add the red chilies. Cook for another 10 minutes or until the coconut milk become oil.

Transfer to a serving plate. Serve and enjoy. :)