Forget Fussy Ingredients with this “Simply-gado” Recipe
Learn how to cook Igado, the lowlander simple version. This Igado recipe only uses pork and liver instead of the classic Igado with hearts and innards. Still as yummy!
Igado is not for the faint of hearts, because it’s made of hearts hahahhaahha. Seriously, Igado is an acquired taste. My father is an Ilocano and used to make the true blue Igado recipe with hearts, and liver, and all kinds of funky pig stuff. The taste is fine, I guess. His version is a bit on the bitter side, but knowing what’s in it, and being able to eat it, that is the real challenge.
Families with picky eaters, tiny tummies, or just no time for fuss know that sometimes less is more in the kitchen. Inspired by the hearty Filipino classic “Igado”, I give you my easy “Simply-gado” – a pint-sized version using only basic ingredients for a meal the whole crew is sure to love. Lollolol.
Instead of juggling multiple proteins like liver, heart and other innards, this twist keeps it streamlined with just pork and liver. No specialty shopping or advanced techniques needed either – just a simmer on the stove is all it takes to transform these humble ingredients into a gravy that’s deep in flavor.
Bonuses are that it reheats well for busy weeknights, stores and freezes easily for future meals, and most importantly, even the littlest taste testers in the fam can’t resist it!
What does Igado mean?
According to food historians, this dish originated during the Spanish era and some say that the name Igado came from the Spanish term “Higado” which means liver. I’m not too crazy about this theory because the ingredients are totally predictable of the Ilocano culture, saving everything that can be used, -or eaten, for that matter. I’m guessing that this dish come from way way back and not just the Spanish era.
Tagalog igado vs Ilocano Igado
So today I’m sharing with you a bit of a watered-down version of the Ilokano Igado, more like a Tagalog Igado. If you love liver, try this Igado recipe. This recipe is lowlander approved and not as hard to cook as the real Igado. The ingredients are easier to get and is generally available at the wet market.
Sometimes too, when I’m feeling nostalgic, I’d cook this Igado recipe for the family and tell them all about the times I ran away from home and went to the north to commune with the Ilocanos. Igado has got to be one of their top dishes for serving to visitors and for “pulutan”! I have fond memories of drinking with the “manongs” and eating this, among other Ilocano pulutan dishes such as Dinakdakan, Dinardaraan, and the hangover soup -Papaitan!
How to Cook Igado
Ingredients:
- a kilo of pork (menudo cut)
- 250 gms liver (menudo cut)
- 1/2 cup (soy sauce)
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 laurel
- 3-5 cloves garlic chopped
- onion medium chopped
- 1 medium bell pepper cut into strips
- 1/2 cup frozen green peas (or canned)
Instructions:
- Saute onion and garlic, then add pork. Cook until pork is brown.
- Add soy sauce, vinegar, laurel, pepper and sugar. Bring to a boil and cover.
- Once pork is tender, add green peas and liver. Simmer for 2-3 mins then add bell pepper, mix and remove from heat.
Recipe Notes:
Don’t use too much heat when cooking the pork liver because it can turn rubbery if you overcook it. I cooked this with no green peas because no one eats green peas at home.
Here is the recipe for printing!
*This recipe was originally shared by Cyrex Aguirre at the Ifoodala Food Group.
Here’s a printable Version!
Ingredients
Shopping List:
- 1 kilo pork (small cubes ala menudo cut)
- 250 g pork liver
- 2 bay leaf
- 2 medium bell pepper
- 1 can green peas
Pantry Ingredients:
- Cooking oil
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 3-5 cloves garlic
- 1 medium onion
- Salt
Tools:
- Large pan or pot
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium. Fry garlic and onion until fragrant.
- Add pork and cook until no longer pink, about 10 minutes.
- Add liver until liver is just cooked through but still pink inside.
- Stir in soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, bay leaf and ground black pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over medium low until pork is tender, about 30 minutes.
- Stir in green peas and cook 3-5 minutes more.
- Add bell pepper and stir to combine. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Suggested Variations:
• Use chicken liver instead of pork liver
• Add carrots and celery for extra veggies
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