SQUASH AND STRING BEANS STEWED IN COCONUT MILK (Gulay with Gata)

Coconut milk is rich in lauric acid, also found in human milk. Lauric acid is known to contain antimicrobial properties. It is the lauric acid in human milk that prevents infants from being infected by viruses and bacteria. An antimicrobial substance called monolaurin is formed in the digestive tract only when lauric acid is available from the diet. Coconut milk can be used in place of cream for sauces, soups, and stews. Simply use spices and herbs that are Southeast Asian, combined with coconut milk, and create your own delicious recipes. Monolaurin, formed from lauric acid in the digestive tract, helps to inactivate viruses such as the Visna virus, herpes, and the HIV virus. 

SQUASH AND STRING BEANS STEWED IN COCONUT MILK (Gulay with Gata)
1 teaspoon coconut cooking oil or palm oil
1 small onion, minced
3 pcs. garlic, minced
1 finger of ginger, chopped
1 cup string beans, julienned
1 cups squash, cubed
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup water
rock salt to taste
Saute onion, garlic and ginger in cooking oil. Add string beans and squash then pour in water. Simmer for 5 minutes before pouring in coconut milk. Sprinkle with rock salt. Serve with rice.