As you might have noticed by now, a lot of Filipino cuisines are potent in flavor. Very few dishes can be described as "light" and "airy." Pinakbet, for instance, is made from bagoong -- a paste of fermented ground shrimp and salt. The smell is intoxicating, which garners either a love or hate reaction. Spiced with garlic, ginger and onions, this vegetable dish comes packed with squash, string beans, okra, eggplant, bitter melon and chili peppers. Shrimp or beef is sometimes added.