Description
Milkfish Bicol Express is a savory Filipino dish featuring tender bangus fillets cooked in a rich coconut milk sauce with shrimp paste and spices.
Ingredients
- 1 whole bangus (milkfish), cleaned and filleted
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced
- 2–3 green chili peppers, sliced (adjust for spice preference)
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons shrimp paste (bagoong)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic and sliced ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the sliced green chili peppers and cook for an additional minute.
- Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the shrimp paste and soy sauce, mixing well to combine.
- Gently add the bangus fillets to the skillet, ensuring they are submerged in the sauce. Cover and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions over steamed rice.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add more green chili peppers or a dash of chili flakes.
- Substitute the bangus with tilapia or salmon for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg