Fish Pochero (Filipino Fish and Vegetable Stew)

Uncover make this scrumptious fish pochero Filipino recipe! Tender fried tilapia simmered in wealthy tomato broth with greens, Chinese language sausage, and chickpeas. A comforting one pot meal the entire household will love!

Fish pochero is a scrumptious Filipino twist on the traditional pochero recipe. As an alternative of the standard beef or pork, this model makes use of tender white fish, making it lighter but simply as flavorful and satisfying.

This fish pochero recipe brings collectively the most effective of Filipino consolation meals with fried tilapia, Chinese language sausage, chickpeas, and contemporary greens simmered in a wealthy tomato primarily based broth. The mix of savory and barely candy flavors makes this dish completely irresistible!

What I really like most about this pochero fish recipe is the way it transforms easy elements into one thing really particular. The fried fish stays superbly intact whereas absorbing all these fantastic flavors from the broth. Plus, it’s a whole meal in a single pot, which makes cleanup a lot simpler.

Let me present you make fish pochero the best way we like it!

What’s Fish Pochero?

Fish pochero is a Filipino stew that makes use of fish as a substitute of the standard meat proteins like beef, pork, or hen. It follows the identical cooking technique as traditional pochero however with a a lot shorter cooking time since fish cooks quicker than meat.

Conventional pochero is a beloved Filipino consolation dish with Spanish origins. The title comes from the Spanish phrase “puchero,” which refers to a cooking pot. Over time, Filipinos tailored the recipe by including native elements like saba bananas, pechay, and fish sauce, making it uniquely our personal.

What makes fish pochero particular is how the fried fish holds its form within the tomato primarily based broth whereas nonetheless absorbing all these scrumptious flavors. The candy saba bananas stability out the savory notes from the Chinese language sausage and pork fats, creating that good concord of tastes we love in Filipino cooking.

Why This Recipe Works

• Frying the fish first creates a protecting crust that forestalls it from falling aside when simmered within the broth.
• Rendering pork fats provides richness and depth that you simply don’t get from cooking oil alone.
• Utilizing ripe saba bananas gives pure sweetness that balances the savory tomato broth.
• Including greens in levels ensures every one is cooked completely with out overcooking the fish.

Substances for Fish Pochero

• Complete tilapia – Use contemporary tilapia if doable. The entire fish with bones provides taste to the broth. It’s also possible to use bangus, maya maya, or any agency white fish that holds up nicely to frying.
• Pork fats – This small quantity makes a giant distinction in taste. The rendered fats provides richness to the broth. Should you can’t discover pork fats, you need to use bacon or substitute with cooking oil, although the flavour gained’t be as deep.
• Chinese language sausage – Search for the candy selection (lap cheong). It’s normally discovered within the Asian part of grocery shops. The sausage provides a refined sweetness and savory depth. You may substitute with chorizo de bilbao if wanted.
• Potato – Common white potatoes work greatest. They assist thicken the broth barely as they cook dinner and add heartiness to the dish.
• Saba banana – These cooking bananas are important for genuine pochero. They’re much less candy than common bananas and maintain their form when cooked. If unavailable, use plantains minimize into thick chunks.
• Lengthy inexperienced beans – Additionally referred to as sitaw or yard-long beans. Reduce them into 2 to three inch items. Common inexperienced beans work as an alternative.
• Chickpeas – Drain nicely earlier than including. The chickpeas add protein and a creamy texture. You should use white beans or pink kidney beans as a substitute.
• Pechay – Often known as bok choy. Add this final so it stays crisp and vibrant inexperienced. Napa cabbage or common cabbage works too.
• Garlic – Recent garlic is vital for the fragrant base. Crushing releases extra taste than simply chopping.
• Onion – Yellow or white onions work greatest. They add sweetness and depth to the broth.
• Tomatoes – Recent, ripe tomatoes are preferrred. They break down throughout cooking and add pure acidity to stability the dish.
• Tomato paste – This intensifies the tomato taste and offers the broth its wealthy shade. You should use tomato sauce as an alternative, however the paste is extra concentrated.
• Salt – For seasoning the fish earlier than frying. This helps the crust type higher.
• Cooking oil – For deep frying the fish. Use a impartial oil with a excessive smoke level like vegetable or canola oil.
• Water – Varieties the bottom of the broth. You should use fish inventory or hen inventory for further taste.
• Fish sauce and floor black pepper – Season on the finish to your choice. Begin with fish sauce and alter from there.

1. Rub salt all around the fish, ensuring to get it contained in the cavity and on each side. Let it keep for five minutes. This helps draw out moisture and seasons the fish.
2. Warmth cooking oil in a pan over medium excessive warmth. As soon as the oil is scorching (it ought to shimmer), fastidiously place the fish within the pan.
3. Fry each side till golden brown, about 4 to five minutes per facet. Take away from the pan and put aside on a plate.

1. In a clear pan over medium warmth, add the diced pork fats. Sear till sufficient fats renders and also you see crispy bits, about 3 to 4 minutes. The fats needs to be golden and the oil clear.
2. Add the crushed garlic and sliced onion. Sauté till the onion softens and turns into translucent, about 2 minutes.

1. Put within the sliced Chinese language sausage and sauté for 1 minute to launch its oils.
2. Stir within the wedged tomatoes and sauté till they begin to break down and turn out to be tender, about 2 to three minutes.
3. Combine within the tomato paste and water. Stir all the pieces collectively and let it come to a boil.

1. Drop within the potato chunks as soon as the liquid is boiling. Cook dinner for 3 minutes. The potatoes ought to begin to soften however nonetheless maintain their form.
2. Toss within the saba banana slices and drained chickpeas. Cook dinner for one more 3 minutes. The bananas needs to be tender however not mushy.

1. Add the lengthy inexperienced beans and season the broth with fish sauce and floor black pepper to style. Stir gently.
2. Slide within the fried fish fastidiously. Strive to not break it aside. Simmer for two minutes to let the fish take up the flavors.
3. Place the pechay on prime of all the pieces. Cowl the pot and cook dinner for 1 minute. The residual warmth will wilt the pechay completely.

1. Switch all the pieces fastidiously to a serving bowl.
2. Serve scorching with steamed rice. The broth is ideal for spooning over the rice, so don’t depart any behind!

What to Serve with Fish Pochero

• Steamed White Rice – The traditional pairing. The broth soaks into the rice superbly and the mix is ideal consolation meals.
• Garlic Fried Rice (Sinangag) – If you’d like one thing extra flavorful than plain rice. The garlic enhances the savory broth.
• Fish Sauce with Calamansi Dip – Combine fish sauce with freshly squeezed calamansi juice and chopped hen’s eye chili. This provides a tangy, spicy kick to every chunk.
• Atchara (Pickled Papaya) – The candy and tangy pickled papaya cuts by way of the richness of the pochero.
• Ensaladang Talong (Eggplant Salad) – A contemporary, gentle facet dish that balances the hearty stew.

Can I exploit frozen fish for this recipe?

Sure, you possibly can! Simply ensure to thaw the fish fully and pat it very dry earlier than rubbing with salt and frying. Extra moisture will trigger the oil to splatter and forestall the fish from getting that good golden crust.

How do I stop the fish from falling aside?

The hot button is to fry it till it’s good and golden on each side first. This creates a protecting crust. Then when including it to the broth, deal with it gently and keep away from stirring an excessive amount of. A delicate simmer works higher than a rolling boil.

Can I make this recipe forward?

You may prep all of the greens and fry the fish forward of time. Retailer them individually within the fridge. When able to serve, simply make the broth contemporary and add all the pieces in. This manner the fish and greens keep in higher form.

What’s the distinction between common pochero and fish pochero?

Conventional pochero makes use of beef or pork as the primary protein and normally has an extended cooking time. Fish pochero cooks a lot quicker and has a lighter, extra delicate taste. The cooking technique is analogous, however the timing is adjusted for the faster cooking fish.

Can I add different greens?

Completely! Cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers all work nice on this dish. Simply be aware of cooking occasions and add them accordingly. More durable greens like carrots ought to go in with the potatoes, whereas softer ones like cabbage will be added close to the tip.

• Use contemporary fish every time doable for the most effective taste and texture.
• Should you can’t discover pork fats, bacon works nicely as an alternative.
• Saba bananas will be changed with plantains in equal quantities.
• For a richer broth, use fish inventory or hen inventory as a substitute of water.
• Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop to keep away from overcooking the fish.

Extra Pochero Recipes

Do this easy fish pochero recipe in your subsequent household meal and I assure everybody might be asking for seconds. The mix of flavors and textures makes it a Filipino favourite that by no means will get previous. Get pleasure from!

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Fish Pochero

Fish pochero is a scrumptious Filipino twist on the traditional pochero recipe. This model makes use of tender white fish with fried tilapia, Chinese language sausage, chickpeas, and contemporary greens simmered in a wealthy tomato primarily based broth.

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook dinner: 45 minutes minutes

Complete: 1 hour hour

Directions

• Rub salt all around the fish, ensuring to get it contained in the cavity and on each side. Let it keep for five minutes. This helps draw out moisture and seasons the fish.

  2 items tilapia, 2 teaspoons salt

• Warmth cooking oil in a pan over medium excessive warmth. As soon as the oil is scorching (it ought to shimmer), fastidiously place the fish within the pan. Fry each side till golden brown, about 4 to five minutes per facet. Take away from the pan and put aside on a plate.

  1 cup cooking oil

• In a clear pan over medium warmth, add the diced pork fats. Sear till sufficient fats renders and also you see crispy bits, about 3 to 4 minutes. The fats needs to be golden and the oil clear.

  1 ounce pork fats

• Add the crushed garlic and sliced onion. Sauté till the onion softens and turns into translucent, about 2 minutes.

  5 cloves garlic, 1 piece onion

• Put within the sliced Chinese language sausage and sauté for 1 minute to launch its oils.

  1 piece Chinese language sausage

• Stir within the wedged tomatoes and sauté till they begin to break down and turn out to be tender, about 2 to three minutes.

  2 items tomatoes

• Combine within the tomato paste and water. Stir all the pieces collectively and let it come to a boil.

  3.5 tablespoons tomato paste, 4 cups water

• Drop within the potato chunks as soon as the liquid is boiling. Cook dinner for 3 minutes. The potatoes ought to begin to soften however nonetheless maintain their form.

  1 medium potato

• Toss within the saba banana slices and drained chickpeas. Cook dinner for one more 3 minutes. The bananas needs to be tender however not mushy.

  2 items saba banana, 14 ounces chickpeas

• Add the lengthy inexperienced beans and season the broth with fish sauce and floor black pepper to style. Stir gently.

  12 items lengthy inexperienced beans, fish sauce, floor black pepper

• Slide within the fried fish fastidiously. Strive to not break it aside. Simmer for two minutes to let the fish take up the flavors.

• Place the pechay on prime of all the pieces. Cowl the pot and cook dinner for 1 minute. The residual warmth will wilt the pechay completely.

  1 bunch pechay

• Switch all the pieces fastidiously to a serving bowl. Serve scorching with steamed rice. The broth is ideal for spooning over the rice, so don’t depart any behind!

Notes

Fish: Recent is greatest, however frozen tilapia works fantastic. Thaw fully and pat very dry earlier than frying. It’s also possible to use bangus or maya maya.
Chinese language sausage substitute: Use chorizo de bilbao if wanted.
Greens: Be happy so as to add cabbage, carrots, or bell peppers. Simply alter cooking occasions accordingly.
Storage: Leftovers maintain for two days within the fridge in an hermetic container. Reheat gently on the stovetop to keep away from overcooking the fish.
Make forward: You may prep all of the greens and fry the fish as much as 4 hours forward. Maintain refrigerated till able to cook dinner.

Vitamin Info

Energy: 886kcal (44%) Carbohydrates: 59g (20%) Protein: 19g (38%) Fats: 68g (105%) Saturated Fats: 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fats: 18g Monounsaturated Fats: 40g Trans Fats: 0.2g Ldl cholesterol: 11mg (4%) Sodium: 1480mg (62%) Potassium: 1665mg (48%) Fiber: 19g (76%) Sugar: 20g (22%) Vitamin A: 11702IU (234%) Vitamin C: 139mg (168%) Calcium: 407mg (41%) Iron: 8mg (44%)

© copyright: Vanjo Merano