Pork Belly Asado Recipe

Pork Belly Asado, usually known simply as "Asado," is a Filipino meal that consists of soft pig belly cooked in a sweet and savory sauce. It's a popular and savory dish in Filipino cuisine, frequently served during gatherings and family feasts. Pork Belly Asado is noted for its sweet and salty taste profile, with the soy sauce giving a strong umami basis and the sugar imparting sweetness. As the pork belly cooks in the sauce, it becomes delicate and luscious, creating a delectable and comforting Filipino meal. It's commonly served as a major entrée for lunch or supper.

Many Filipino recipes have been impacted by our numerous interactions with various countries throughout history. The same may be said with pork belly asado. This dish exemplifies what we've learnt or received as a result of Chinese influence! We frequently see asado as the stuffing in pleasantly filling siopao, which is both sweet and salty. But pork belly asado isn't just for hot buns; it's also delicious with steaming, heaping cups of rice! This dish will undoubtedly do your pork belly credit; you, your family, and friends will not be able to get enough!

How to Cook Asado Pork Belly

1. Prepare your marinade!

The marinade is the key to a delicious pork belly asado. To make this, combine your pork belly, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic. Combine all of the ingredients and coat your tender pork cut with this delectable sauce. Then, leave it to sit and marinade overnight. You don't want it to be underseasoned, but you also don't want to marinade it for too long. This will make your meat mushy; therefore, one overnight marinate should suffice!

2. Cooking and bursting with flavor

When you're done marinating, heat 3 tablespoons cooking oil in a pot. Toss in your onions and cook until softened before adding the marinated meat. Bring to a boil, then add your Knorr Pork Cube and star anise for a more pronounced flavor. Cover the saucepan and leave the pork belly asado to simmer for an additional hour. This will give your recipe extra depth, fullness, and flavor!

3. Finalized touches

For a richer, creamier flavor, combine brown sugar and butter, then swirl into your pork belly asado. Make a slurry in a separate glass by combining cornstarch and a quarter cup of water. A slurry will help your dish's viscosity. After thoroughly mixing, pour the slurry into the saucepan and boil until the sauce reaches the desired thickness.

Your pork belly asado is finally ready after seasoning with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Transfer the meal to a serving platter and serve with rice and your favorite side dishes.

Here's a basic recipe for Pork Belly Asado:

Ingredients:

- 1 pound (450g) pork belly, cut into 1-inch cubes

- 1 small onion, finely chopped

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced thinly

- 1/4 cup soy sauce

- 1/4 cup vinegar (cane vinegar or white vinegar)

- 1/4 cup tomato ketchup

- 1/4 cup brown sugar

- 1 bay leaf

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 1 tablespoon cooking oil

- Water for cooking

Instructions:

1. Sear the Pork:

   - Heat the cooking oil in a big skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook until the pork belly cubes are golden brown on both sides, about 5-7 minutes. Set the pork aside after removing it from the pan.

2. Sauté Aromatics:

   - Add the minced garlic, diced onion, and sliced ginger to the same pan. Sauté the onion and garlic for about 2-3 minutes, or until the onion is transparent and aromatic.

3. Make the Sauce:

   - Return the seared pork to the pan with the aromatics that have been sautéed.

   - Combine the soy sauce, vinegar, tomato ketchup, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. To blend, stir everything together thoroughly.

4. Simmer and Cook:

   - 1 to 1.5 cups water is usually enough to cover the meat. Mix in the bay leaf.

   - Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn it down low. Cook for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the meat is cooked and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally and add extra water as needed to keep the sauce at the correct consistency.

5. Season:

   - Season the Pork Belly Asado to taste with salt and pepper. Seasonings can be adjusted to your liking. You can add extra brown sugar if you desire a sweeter flavor.

6. Serve:

   - Remove the bay leaf after the pork is cooked and the sauce has attained the appropriate consistency and taste.

   - With steamed rice, serve the Pork Belly Asado hot. Enjoy!