Ingredients
Metric weights use grams. US weights use ounces; liquids use fluid ounces. Conversions are rounded. Spoon measures use 5 ml teaspoons and 15 ml tablespoons; cups use 240 ml.
Serves 4
Base
Sauce
Finish
Equipment
Kitchen scales; measuring jug and spoons; knife; cutting board; mixing bowls; saucepan with lid; sieve; heavy frying pan; spatula; heatproof spoon; spatula.
Check all product labels and cross-contact. Diet groups describe this listed recipe, not every substitution.
Steps
Fry · About 8 min
- Heat oil from 20 ml neutral oil, 600 g pork belly, cubed, 150 g onion, chopped, 15 g garlic, chopped, 20 g shrimp paste; brown pork 8 minutes, then cook onion, garlic and shrimp paste 4 minutes.
Simmer · About 30 min
- Add 500 ml coconut milk, 150 ml water, 100 g long green chilies, sliced; simmer covered 30 minutes until pork is tender.
Check: Look for this result: pork is tender.
Reduce · About 8 min
- Add 150 ml coconut cream; simmer uncovered 8 minutes, stirring.
Tips
- Choose mild long chilies if you want less heat.
- Judge Bicol Express by the texture and doneness signs in its steps. Your pan and heat affect how long Bicol Express takes to cook.
Substitutions
- Use pork shoulder for a less fatty version.
Storage
- Get perishable Bicol Express into the fridge within two hours, or within one hour above 32°C / 90°F. Eat Bicol Express within two days, keeping it covered at 4°C / 40°F or colder.
- Bring cooked Bicol Express to 74°C / 165°F, stirring or turning it for even heating. When Bicol Express is part of the meal, serve cold salads, dips and chilled desserts straight from safe refrigeration.
- If Bicol Express includes a thick sauce or soup, loosen it with a little water during gentle reheating. Any crisp coating on Bicol Express becomes softer in storage.
Make ahead
- Prepare the measured ingredients for Bicol Express one day ahead. For Bicol Express, refrigerate chopped vegetables apart from the other perishable ingredients. Follow the cooking stages for Bicol Express on the day of serving.
FAQ
What matters most when making Bicol Express?
Choose mild long chilies if you want less heat.
What can I substitute in Bicol Express?
Use pork shoulder for a less fatty version.
Can I prepare Bicol Express ahead?
Prepare the measured ingredients for Bicol Express one day ahead. For Bicol Express, refrigerate chopped vegetables apart from the other perishable ingredients. Follow the cooking stages for Bicol Express on the day of serving.
Food safety references
FoodSafety.gov: cooking temperatures · Food Standards Agency: rice storage and reheating
