How to Cook Paksiw na Hiwas: A Filipino-Inspired Dish

I am a chef on a luxury world cruise liner. I love to cook and write recipes that are inspired by foods from all over the world.

What Is Paksiw? What Is Hiwas?

Paksiw is a Filipino cooking technique wherein fish is simmered in vinegar, resulting in a tangy broth. Other spices are often added to make it more flavorful.

Hiwas, known in English as moonfish or opah, is a popular disk-shaped fish in the Philippines.

I added vegetables in my paksiw na hiwas recipe to make it a complete and healthy meal.

Paksiw na hiwas

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Cook Time

Ingredients

• 500 grams hiwas (moon fish or opah), cleaned and cut in half
• 100 grams eggplant, sliced
• 50 grams ladies finger, sliced
• 50 grams snow peas, snapped in half
• 50 grams string beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 50 grams winged beans, snapped in half
• 2 tomatos, sliced
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 2 long green chilis
• 1 inch ginger, sliced
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Utensils

For Preparation:

• 3 large bowl
• 2 medium bowl
• chopping board
• knife

For Cooking:

• pot
• cooking spoon

Instructions

1. Arrange the fish in the pan.
2. Pour in the vinegar, water, and other spices.
3. Cover and simmer until fish is almost cooked.
4. Add the vegetables on top. Cover the pan.
5. Continue to simmer until the fish and vegetables are well cooked.

Tips and Techniques

• This recipe is very versatile. You can add any vegetables that are available.
• Omit the long green chilis, if you don't like them.
• Try adjusting the amount of vinegar. Different amounts of vinegar yield a different results.
• There are so many types of vinegar that are available. Try different types and find the one you like best for this dish.
• If hiwas (moonfish) is not available, you may substitute another kind of fish.
• Avoid using an aluminum pan when cooking with vinegar. Vinegar is acidic, which may cause an aluminum pan to corrode.

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  The holidays are fast approaching, and the weather has begun to change. Foods that warm the body are wonderful for this time of year. Let me teach you how to make a sinigang na salmon belly soup that you can enjoy during this holiday season.
• How to Cook Honey Mustard Fish With Blanched Alugbati
  Do you love the flavor of honey mustard dressing? Try this delightful recipe for honey mustard fish with blanched alugbati.

© 2019 Travel Chef

Comments

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on July 13, 2019:

Hi Liz,

Most ingredients included in my recipes are usually found in tropical places in US or mostly in Asian countries. But you can also use any other types of fish for every recipe.

Liz Westwood from UK on July 12, 2019:

As I read your recipes I am amazed at the wide variety of food you can access, many of which I am unfamiliar with.