Pork Pochero is a Filipino stew that features pork, vegetables, and plantains. It is traditionally cooked with tomato sauce and sometimes includes chorizo for added flavor. Here's a simple recipe for Pork Pochero:
Ingredients:
1 kg pork belly, cut into serving pieces
2 tablespoons oil
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 liter water
1 beef or pork bouillon cube (optional)
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
2 ripe plantains (saging na saba), peeled and sliced
1 medium-sized sweet potato, peeled and sliced
2 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 small cabbage, quartered
1 bunch bok choy (pechay) or Chinese cabbage, leaves separated
1 chorizo de Bilbao, sliced (optional)
Fish sauce (patis) or soy sauce for seasoning
Instructions:
In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
Add pork belly pieces and cook until browned on all sides.
Add chopped tomatoes and cook until softened.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for a couple of minutes.
Pour in water and add the bouillon cube and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook until the pork is tender. This may take about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the cut of pork.
Once the pork is tender, add the plantains, sweet potato, potatoes, and chorizo (if using). Simmer until the root vegetables are almost tender.
Add the cabbage and bok choy. Continue simmering until all the vegetables are cooked.
Adjust the seasoning with fish sauce (patis) or soy sauce according to your taste.
Remove from heat and serve hot.
Enjoy your Pork Pochero with steamed rice. It is also common to serve this dish with a side of fish sauce with calamansi or soy sauce with crushed red pepper as a dipping sauce.
Pork Pochero is a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for family gatherings or comforting meals. Feel free to customize the recipe based on your preferences.