Linabog etcetera

Linabog nga Lipot or Karatungan (sting ray and porcupine fish) is a famous Carlesanon dish.  Its basic ingredients are coconut milk, chile pepper, peppercorn, laurel leaf, ginger, garlic, onions, salt and porcupine fish. 

 

KARATUNGAN or porcupine fish

By the looks of a porcupine fish, it seems impossile to believe it could be eaten or edible because of its spikes.  Cooking it to be the main ingredient of the linabog means undergoing a labourious task of removing the spikes after the fish has been blanched.

Here's how to cook LINABOG the Carlesanon way. 

1.  Blanche the porcupine fish and remove the spikes;
2.  Cut the fish into desired sizes;
3.  Prepare the spices (onion, garlic, ginger, peppercorn, bay leaf and coconut  milk)
4.  Sautee the fish and add a little water
5.  Allow to boil and add coconut milk, pepper and salt.
6.  Simmer for about 10 minutes or longer to let the oil of coconut milk appear.
  
Your LINABOG is now ready to serve.