Try this healthy, savory, and creamy Filipino Ginataang Gulay with a shrimp dish with nutritious vegetables and coconut milk to elevate this meal to the next level. It is simple ingredients that you may already have from your pantry essentials.
Today, I'm sharing with you one of our all-time favorites in our house when we were growing up. We own a few coconut trees on our property, and we have an abundance of coconut all year. We have ginaatan dish regularly for any meal, but still, we can't get enough of it because they are so delicious. We all love it!
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Why you will love this dish
- Made with healthy ingredients (vegetables, coconut milk or cream, and seafood).
- Easy to make - Got 30 minutes? You can make this yummy dish in no time.
- Budget-friendly and affordable. You will be surprised that cooking your food at home will save you a lot of money.
- A great dish to introduce to your kids since all the veggies have their own unique taste and texture.
- If you love more recipes like this, don't forget to check out my:
What is Ginataang Gulay?
Ginataang Gulay in tagalog means Coconut Cream Vegetables in English. The word ginataan means cooked in coconut milk, gulay on the other hand means vegetable. It is a creamy, savory, and yummy Filipino vegetable dish that is made with bright and colorful vegetables with shrimp as a protein source that is cooked in creamy coconut milk.
Similar to Ginisang Gulay, this recipe consists of squash, eggplant, bittermelon, okra, aromatics such as onion and garlic, and shrimp paste or fish sauce as a seasoning to enhance the flavors. These vegetables are staples in Filipino Cuisine because you can easily grow them in your backyard since they thrive in tropical climates.
Ingredient Notes
Most, if not all, of the ingredients, are probably available in your refrigerator and kitchen cabinet already. The full recipe with exact measurements of the ingredients is in the description box below.
- Vegetables - These vegetables are the same in the pinakbet Ilokano and Pakbet Tagalog. Check the photo above for reference. These are our favorite vegetables but feel free to add your preference:
- yellow squash/kalabasa
- bittermelon/ampalaya
- eggplant/talong
- okra
- chili and pepper (optional if you wanted a spicy kick)
- Protein - The authentic ginataang gulay always has some protein sources included. My favorites are shrimp which is rich in selenium, vitamin B12, and some essential amino acids
- Coconut milk - Aim for full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream for more creaminess and thicker white sauce. You can use fresh or canned, whichever is available. In canned is more accessible here in the State, and they are in every grocery store Nationwide.
- Shrimp paste - You can also use fish sauce or just salt to season the dish. They are available at Asian grocery stores.
Instructions
The first thing is to prepare everything that we need. Slice all the ingredients if needed.
In a skillet over medium heat, sauté garlic and onion until fragrant, then add shrimp paste. Stir and cook for about 2-4 minutes.
Toss in squash, coconut milk, green pepper, and red chili if using. Let the coconut milk and squash cook for 5 minutes.
Add the okra, eggplant, and bittermelon slices, and stir. Cook for about 5-7 minutes.
Add the shrimp lastly. You will know when the shrimp is ready when it changes color to orange or opaque. Stir gently, taste, then adjust the seasonings with salt and black pepper if needed.
Helpful Tips
- This ginaatang gulay is best served with cooked rice.
- Refrain from overcooking the veggies to retain more nutrients. They will also keep their color and texture if they are cooked appropriately.
- Try soaking bittermelon in salt water to reduce the bitterness.
- Cooking the shrimp last will keep it from overcooking it. Overcooked shrimp is dry and chewy.
Make-ahead, Storage, and Reheating
- Make-ahead: Preparing the vegetables in advance can save us some time. Sliced them accordingly and store them in a container in the fridge until you are ready to cook. Soak the sliced eggplant in water to avoid discoloration.
- Storage: Allow the leftovers to cool and transfer them into an air-tight container. The vegetables will soak most coconut milk sauce overnight, which is normal, and it tastes better the next day since all the vegetables absorb the flavors from the sauce.
- Reheat: Transfer into a saucepan with some water if needed. Reheat on medium heat until it is warm thoroughly.
Questions and Answers
There are numerous health benefits of ginataang gulay. All vegetables have their own health benefits, and combining them in one dish makes it even healthier. It is immune boosting, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, to name a few. Include this dish in your diet to improve your brain, eyes, heart, and gut health.
Coconut milk is high in healthy fats, which are lauric acids. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties. It may support cardiovascular health, according to experts.
Ginataang gulay tastes like coconut flavor, which delivers the aroma and nuttiness of tropical fruit. The overall taste is a combination of nutty, sweet, and creamy coconut milk. Squash is mildly sweet and nutty, bittermelon is bitter, okra has sweet and grassy and eggplant is similar to summer squash with a spongy texture.
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Ginataang Gulay Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 medium yellow onion sliced thin
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 tablespoons shrimp paste or fish sauce
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream
- ½ large butternut squash peeled, seeded and sliced in wedges
- 2 large eggplant sliced
- 10 pieces okra sliced
- 1 large bittermelon seeded and sliced in wedges
- 2 large thai red chili
- 3 large jalapeno pepper
- 12 pieces whole shrimp
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté garlic and onion until fragrant, then add shrimp paste. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
- Toss in squash, coconut milk, green pepper, and red chili if using. Let it cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add the okra, eggplant, and bittermelon slices, and stir. Cook for about 5-7 minutes.
- Lastly, add the shrimp. You will know when the shrimp is ready when it changes to orange or opaque. Gently stir, taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper accordingly. Serve with rice, and enjoy!
Notes
Recipe Notes:
-
- This ginaatang gulay is best served with cooked rice.
-
- Refrain from overcooking the veggies to retain more nutrients. They will also keep their color and texture if they are cooked appropriately.
-
- Cooking the shrimp last will keep it from overcooking it. Overcooked shrimp is dry and chewy.
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