Mung Bean Soup (Ginisang Munggo)

Ingredients for Mung Bean Soup (Ginisang Munggo)

• 2 cups mung beans (monggo), washed and drained
• 5 to 7 cups water
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1/2 cup pork belly, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp fish sauce or 1 tbsp salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 2 cups bitter gourd (ampalaya), optional
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup smoked fish meat (tinapa), shredded
• 1 cup pork rind (chicharon), chopped
• 2 cups spinach or bitter gourd leaves

How to cook Mung Bean Soup (Ginisang Munggo)

1. 1.Boil mung beans in 5 cups water over medium heat; cover, lower heat, and simmer about 30 minutes until tender.
2. 2.Purée the cooked beans with their liquid using an immersion blender or blender.
3. 3.Heat oil in the pot; brown pork belly until fat renders, then sauté garlic, onion, and tomatoes until tender.
4. 4.Add fish sauce and cook 1 minute, then stir in the mung bean purée.
5. 5.Add 1 to 2 cups water if needed; simmer with ampalaya, celery, and tinapa for 2 to 3 minutes.
6. 6.Stir in chicharon and spinach; season with salt if needed, turn off heat, and serve with rice.