Dinengdeng with Fried Fish Recipe

Are you looking for a healthy dinner with fish and veggies as the main ingredients? Check out our recipe for today: dinengdeng with fried fish! It’s a simple dish, but it’s both tasty and satisfying, in my opinion. Or, if you prefer grilled fish, this dinengdeng with grilled bangus is perfect for you! All forms of dinengdeng—this Filipino dish—is easy to make and usually turns out great every time.

What Is Dinengdeng?

So, what’s dinengdeng? It’s a tasty Filipino dish from the Ilocos region, known for its simple yet delicious blend of veggies and sometimes fish. The name “dinengdeng” literally means “to dip” or “to dunk,” which makes sense since the veggies are often dipped in a savory broth. It’s a staple in Ilocano cuisine and a great way to enjoy fresh, healthy ingredients.

It’s often mistaken for bulanglang, but here’s how to tell the difference between dinengdeng and bulanglang.

What To Know Before Cooking Dinengdeng?

When making dinengdeng, it’s key to get the flavors out of every ingredient. That’s why I start with tomatoes, ginger, and onions before adding the other veggies. To keep the veggies looking good and properly cooked, add the non-leafy ones like okra, sitaw, and ampalaya midway through cooking. Save the leafy greens for the end since they cook quickly.

Aside from bagoong monamon (a fermented fish paste, often used in Filipino cuisine to add a salty and umami flavor to dishes), the fried fish is crucial for adding flavor, so I let it cook with the veggies for 1 to 2 minutes before turning off the heat. This lets the broth soak up the fish’s flavor. Just remember that the fish should sit on top of the veggies, not be completely submerged, so you get a burst of flavor while still enjoying the crispy texture of the fried fish!

Ingredients in Dinengdeng With Fried Fish

You can use any medium-sized fish you like for this dinengdeng recipe, as long as it’s fresh and flavorful. Feel free to mix in other veggies to make the dish your own—just keep them nutrient-packed and tasty!

• 2 to 3 pieces medium sized fish cleaned – Fresh fish adds protein and flavor.
• 10 pieces okra – This veggie is packed with fiber and vitamins. Some people don’t like it because it’s slimy, but who cares if it’s super healthy, right?
• 1 ½ cup squash flower – Light and nutritious, great for vitamins and antioxidants.
• 3 pieces small bitter gourd or ampalaya, cored and sliced – A zesty veggie full of vitamins and good for blood sugar.
• 10 pieces snake beans or sitaw, cut into short pieces – Crisp and fiber-rich, boosts digestion.
• 2 medium ripe plum tomato wedged – Juicy tomatoes that bring in vitamins and a touch of sweetness.
• 2 knobs ginger sliced – Adds a spicy kick and helps with digestion!
• 1 medium onion wedged – Gives a savory base with antioxidants and flavor.
• 2 cups hot pepper leaves dahon ng sili – Nutrient-dense greens that add a kick and vitamins.
• 3 cups water – Essential for making the dish come together.
• 3 tablespoons bagoong monamon – A fermented shrimp paste that adds a salty, umami punch.
• 1 tablespoon salt – Enhances all the flavors.
• ½ cup cooking oil to fry fish – Used for frying the fish, adding a crispy texture.

How To Cook Dinengdeng With Fried Fish?

• First, rub salt all over the fish and heat some oil in a pan.
• Once the oil’s nice and hot, fry the fish until it’s golden brown on one side.
• Flip it over and cook the other side until it’s the same beautiful color.
• Then remove the fish from the pan, place it on a plate, and set it aside.

• Pour water into a clean pot and bring it to a boil.
• Next, add the onion, ginger, and tomato, cover, and let it simmer on medium heat for about 5 minutes.

• Stir in the bagoong, then add the okra, bitter gourd, and snake beans.
• Cover and cook for 7 to 12 minutes, depending on how tender you like your veggies.
• After that, add the hot pepper leaves and squash flowers, cooking for an additional 3 minutes.
• Place the fried fish on top, cover, and let it cook for 1 minute.

• Transfer everything to a serving bowl, and you’re ready to dig in.
• Share, enjoy, and savor every bite!

How To Serve Dinengdeng With Fried Fish?

To truly savor dinengdeng with fried fish, start by enjoying the crispy, flavorful fish with a tangy dip like soy sauce, onion, and chili for an extra kick. For a refreshing side, add a fresh seaweed salad or lato (sea grape) salad, which adds a crisp texture and a burst of oceanic flavor! The combination of these elements is best enjoyed with a steaming bowl of white rice, making for a satisfying and well-rounded meal.

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!

5 from 1 vote

Dinengdeng with Fried Fish Recipe

Dinengdeng with Fried Fish is a traditional Filipino dish featuring a savory vegetable stew cooked in a flavorful broth, paired with crispy, golden-brown fried fish. It combines a hearty mix of vegetables and fish, creating a delicious and nutritious meal that's perfect with a side of white rice.

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 35 minutes minutes

Total: 40 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

• ▢ 2 to 3 pieces medium sized fish cleaned
• ▢ 10 pieces okra
• ▢ 1 ½ cup squash flower
• ▢ 3 pieces bitter gourd ampalaya, cored and sliced
• ▢ 10 pieces snake beans sitaw, cut into short pieces
• ▢ 2 medium ripe plum tomato wedged
• ▢ 2 knobs ginger sliced
• ▢ 1 onion wedged
• ▢ 2 cups hot pepper leaves dahon ng sili
• ▢ 3 cups water
• ▢ 3 tablespoons bagoong monamon
• ▢ 1 tablespoon salt
• ▢ ½ cup cooking oil to fry fish

Instructions

• Rub salt all over the fish. Heat oil in a pan. Once the oil gets hot, fry the fish until the side turns golden brown. Turn the fish over and continue to fry the other side until the same color is achieved. Remove the fried fish from the cooking pot. Place in a plate and set aside.
• Pour water in a clean cooking pot. Let boil.
• Add onion, ginger, and tomato. Cover and boil in medium heat for 5 minutes.
• Stir-in the bagoong. Add okra, bitter gourd, and snake beans. Cover and cook for 7 to 12 minutes.
• Add the hot pepper leaves and squash flower. Cook for 3 minutes.
• Put the fried fish top. Cover. Cook for 1 minute. Transfer to a serving bowl.
• Serve. Share and enjoy!

Notes

Dinengdeng Vs. Bulanlang

Dinengdeng and bulanglang are both tasty Filipino dishes but have some key differences. Dinengdeng is a vegetable stew often cooked with a flavorful broth and usually served with fried or grilled fish, while bulanglang can be similar in terms of the inclusion of a variety of vegetables. However, some versions of bulanglang version include protein, but the one that I am accustomed to (Ther Batangas version) only makes use of vegetables (no fish nor any kind of protein).

In other words, both dishes are hearty and perfect with rice, but dinengdeng has a more pronounced savory taste due to ingredients like bagoong (fermented shrimp paste), while bulanglang tends to have a milder, simpler flavor.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 3g Calories: 539kcal (27%) Carbohydrates: 36g (12%) Protein: 21g (42%) Fat: 39g (60%) Saturated Fat: 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g Monounsaturated Fat: 24g Trans Fat: 0.1g Cholesterol: 171mg (57%) Sodium: 2913mg (121%) Potassium: 1398mg (40%) Fiber: 14g (56%) Sugar: 15g (17%) Vitamin A: 5642IU (113%) Vitamin C: 144mg (175%) Calcium: 256mg (26%) Iron: 6mg (33%)

© copyright: Vanjo Merano