Ginataang Kangkong (or Laing)

Kangkong in Coconut Milk

I had a lot of kangkong that I had to think of what to do with them so they won’t go to waste. I came up with this dish then found out that it is similar to a dish in the Bicol Region called Laing. Laing is a very popular dish by the Bicolanos but they use Taro (gabi) leaves. It is not a popular dish with the Tagalogs because Taro leaves are sort of toxic if you don’t know how to prepare them. They will scratch your throat but not poisonous.

Anyhow, this dish is very rich and flavorful.

1 bunch kangkong or swamp cabbage as it is also called here, as well as swamp spinach or Ong Choy in Chinese. (Spinach can be used in lieu of kangkong)
3 large cloves garlic smashed and minced
2 Shallots minced (half an onion will do too)
1 small piece ginger thinly sliced and cut in sticks
¼ cup cut-up bacon or salt pork (can be omitted if vegetarian dish)
2 dried chilies (more if you like it spicy) or whatever chilies you have, even Jalapenos.
1 can coconut milk
1 chicken bouillon cube
Salt or patis as seasoning
Fried garlic (optional)

Rinse the kangkong very, very well. Separate the leaves from the stalk and stem. Break the crisp-tender stalks and young stems into small pieces, about 1 ½ inches.

Cook the bacon, stirring until browned and the fat rendered oil. Sauté the garlic with the ginger in the same fat/oil followed by the onions until onions are transparent. Drop in the chilies. Sauté a few seconds. Add the coconut milk, wait till boiling then drop in the chicken bouillon. Stir until dissolved. Simmer until coconut milk is thickened a little and you can see a little oil separation but do not over cook. Add in the kangkong or spinach and cook until crisp tender while turning over every so often. Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with fried garlic and serve while hot, with rice.

This dish is good as a side dish with fried fish or pork chops. It is also good by itself as the main dish with rice.

Eggplants can be mixed with the kangkong in this dish.

Note: True laing has lemon grass in it. Add it to the ingredients if you have any. I have not tried it with lemon grass powder so I can not vouch for it.