Pansit Palabok

Pancit palabok is a traditional Filipino dish consisting of thin rice noodles doused in a creamy shrimp-infused sauce and complemented with various toppings such as hard-boiled eggs, pork cracklings, shrimps, pork, fish flakes, and scallions.

This classic is one of the most famous varieties of the traditionalpancitdishes and it is considered to be an authentic Filipino invention, unlike other Chinese-influenced versions. Even though it is commonly prepared at many Filipino households, this national favorite is typically prepared for special and festive occasions.

Ingredients :

500 grams rice noodles bihon

For the sauce ingredients :

2 tbsp cooking oil

1/2 lb ground pork

1 tbsp anatto powder

3 cups pork broth or shrimp broth

6tablespoons all-purpose flour or 2 tablespoons of corn flour.

2 tbsp fish sauce

1/2 tsp ground black pepperT

Topping Ingredients:

100 grams of mince meat.

4 cup tinapa flakes smoked fish.

1/2 cup of chicharom pounded

2 hard boiled eggs sliced

1/2 cup shrimp ( removed the shell and head and save it for the broth)

1/4 cup green onion or scallions finely chopped

3 tablespoons of roasted garlic

2 lemons sliced or 6 pieces of calamanci. Shrimp broth ingredients :

1 onion

Garlic

Shrimp shells and head

Instructions:

1. Soak the rice noodles in water for about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. For the shrimp broth stir fry the onion and garlic until it fragrant then add the shrimp head. Stir fry it for 2 minutes then add 3 cups of water, boils it for 20 to 25 minutes removed the shrimp head, onion and garlic then set aside.

3. Cook the sauce by heating the saucepan. Pour in the cooking oil. When the oil is hot enough, put-in the ground pork and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes.

4. Dilute the annato powder in 1/2 cup of water then pour the mixture in the saucepan. Bring to a boil (If you are using anatto seeds, soak them first in 1/2 cup of water to bring-out the color)

5. Add the shrimp broth and stir and simmer for 3 minutes then put the flour that you diluted in water and stir it constantly.

6.Add the fish sauce and ground black pepper then simmer until sauce becomes thick. Set aside.

7.Meanwhile, boil enough water in a pot.

8.Place the soaked noodles in a strainer (use metal or bamboo strainer) then submerge the strainer in the boiling water for about a minute or until the noodles are cooked. (make sure that the noodles are still firm)

9.Remove the strainer from the pot and drain the liquid from the noodles.

10.Place the noodles in the serving plate.

11.Pour the sauce on top of the noodles then arrange the toppings over the sauce.

12.Serve with a slice of lemon or calamansi. Share and enjoy.