Ginisang Monggo

Ginisang monggo, also written munggo, is a Filipino mung-bean dish. Vanjo Merano’s selected version combines softened beans with pork, spinach, tomato and onion, finishing with crushed chicharon and ground black pepper.

The mung beans simmer in water until soft. In a separate pan, garlic, onion and chopped tomato sauté before thinly sliced pork is added and cooked.

A beef cube and fish sauce season the pork mixture as it simmers until tender. Extra water can be added if needed, and optional shrimp are stirred in before the cooked mung beans join the pan.

The combined beans and pork simmer together before spinach and crushed pork rinds are added. A final sprinkling of ground black pepper completes the dish, which the recipe serves hot.

Soft mung beans give this version its tender texture, alongside spinach and small pieces of pork. The author suggests rice and fried fish on the side, extending the bean dish into a meal.