Fat, tender and sinfully good – these are the hallmarks of a delicious pork belly cut. Also known as liempo, this particular cut of meat can attract meat eaters like no other. Young or old, all your loved ones (and you too!) can probably attest to the flavor and appeal of pork belly…
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Published: 4/25/23
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Fat, tender and sinfully good – these are the hallmarks of a delicious pork belly cut. Also known as leempo, this particular piece of meat can attract meat eaters like no other. Young or old, all your loved ones (and you too!) can attest to the flavor and appeal of pork belly. Versatile and dependable, pork belly is a welcome guest in the kitchen because you can come up with so many recipes from it. We tend to see leempo in a golden brown condition – wonderfully crispy fried. But pork belly works just as well when you cover it with a temptingly delicious sauce. Such is the case with this Pork Belly Asado that we’re going to make today!
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Many Filipino dishes have been influenced by our many encounters with other countries throughout history. Pork belly asado is no exception. This dish is a direct example of what we learned or got from the Chinese influence! Both sweet and savory, we often see asado as a filling in deliciously filling siopao. But pork belly asado isn’t just good for hot buns; You can also enjoy it with steaming, heaping cups of rice! This meal will surely give your pork belly the justice it deserves; You, your family and friends will not be able to get enough!
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What’s in this Pork Belly Asado?
As we mentioned before, this recipe is a delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors. Of course, this has to do with the number of different ingredients that make up this delicious dish! Here are the key ingredients that will really make your pork belly asado shine.
pork belly
You simply can’t go wrong with delicious pork belly. This delicious cut is boneless, hearty, and fatty—since it comes from the underside of the pig. It’s often a popular cut for grilling, as its flesh easily absorbs the smoky, tasty flavors. In this pork belly asado, ours leempo also easily absorbs the delicious marinade that we are going to prepare! You can easily find pork belly at any typical supermarket or grocery store. Also read this article to find out how to choose the perfect, juicy piece of pork belly for this asado preparation! If you can’t find pork belly, you can always opt for beef bacon, pork loin, or even tempeh—a plant-based substitute!
Knorr pork cubes
For a fuller and more balanced flavor in your recipe, adding a Knorr Pork Cube is key! While we typically use this in soupy dishes, it will have the same effect on our delicious, tart Pork Belly Asado. The Knorr Pork Cube also adds a delicious pork flavor and adds to the already appealing scent of your meal.
Banana ketchup and brown sugar
These two ingredients make up the sweet component of your dish! Banana ketchup comes from the Philippines; a condiment composed of banana, sugar, vinegar and other spices. A prime example of Filipino innovation and creativity, banana ketchup adds sweetness and vibrancy to any dish. Whether it’s paired with omelettes, rotisserie chicken, or the pork belly asado we have now, it certainly makes all the difference. And of course, we can’t discount the way brown sugar naturally adds sweetness to your meal!
soy sauce
With a clear umami Flavor, soy sauce adds saltiness to your dish, making it richer and more balanced in flavor. This spice is a popular ingredient in many Asian cuisines and goes with almost everything! Here, it balances the sweetness of your banana ketchup and brown sugar, adding complexity to your pork belly asado overall! This sauce is definitely an important part of your pork belly asado marinade.
star anise
Though the flavor is subtle, star anise undoubtedly plays a huge role in adding spice and spice to your dish. Several Filipino dishes of Chinese origin use the unique properties of star anise to make their dishes even more delicious. From humba to pata tim, this unique condiment is just the thing to make your pork belly asado even more irresistible!
What can I serve this Pork Belly Asado with?
As with most Sino-Filipino dishes, you can’t go wrong with delicious fried rice! Delicious yang chow is an essential part of Chinese cuisine, and eating it with pork belly asado is simply a winning combo! With these two recipes together, you’re sure to have a takeaway dupe on your hands. When it comes to veggies, bok choy is an easy, quick option that tastes delicious with your juicy pork belly. Try this pak choi with garlic and oyster sauce for size!
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How to Make Pork Belly Asado
- Make your marinade!
The secret to a wonderful pork belly asado lies in its marinade. To do this, you need to combine your pork belly, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic. Mix this combination well and make sure you’ve coated your tender pork in this delicious sauce. Then let it sit and marinate, exactly overnight. You don’t want it to come out underflavored, but it’s also important not to over-marinate your dish. This will make your meat mushy; Therefore, an overnight marinade should be sufficient!
- Boiling and full of flavor
When you’re done marinating, heat 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a saucepan. Add the onions and sauté until tender before adding the marinated pork. Bring this to a boil, then add your Knorr Pork Cube and star anise for that deeper flavor. Cover the pot for another hour and let your pork belly asado continue to cook. This will make your recipe deeper, fuller and tastier!
- finishing touches
Add both brown sugar and butter for a sweeter, creamier flavor, then stir this into your pork belly asado. In a separate jar you need to make a slurry; Combine cornstarch with a quarter cup of water. A slurry improves the viscosity of your dish. After mixing well, pour the slurry into the saucepan and cook until you get the sauce thickness you want.
After seasoning with salt and ground black pepper, your pork belly asado is finally ready! Transfer your dish to a serving bowl and enjoy with your choice of rice and side dishes.
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Here are some pork belly recipes that you will love
And if you enjoyed working with pork belly, here are more recipes for you:
Let us know what you and your family think of this delicious Pork Belly Asado!
Did you do this? If you take a picture, please tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or with the hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!
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Pork belly asado
Braised pork belly with soy sauce and star anise
instructions
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Mix pork belly, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic. Mix well. Marinate overnight.
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Heat oil in a pot. Sauté the onion until it softens.
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Add marinated pork. Fry until brown.
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Pour water into the pan. Let it cook.
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Add Knorr Pork cubes and star anise. Cover and continue cooking for 1 hour.
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Add brown sugar and butter. stir.
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Make a slurry by mixing cornstarch with ¼ cup water. Mix well. Pour the mixture into the pot. Cook until the sauce thickens.
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Season with salt and ground black pepper.
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Serve with rice. Share and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Calories: 1593kcal (80%) Carbohydrates: 16G (5%) Protein: 27G (54%) Fat: 157G (242%) Saturated Fatty Acids: 56G (280%) Polyunsaturated fat: 18G Monounsaturated fatty acids: 74G Trans fats: 0.2G Cholesterol: 208mg (69%) Sodium: 1040mg (43%) Potassium: 631mg (18%) Fiber: 1G (4%) Sugar: 11G (12%) Vitamin A: 231ie (5%) Vitamin C: 5mg (6%) Calcium: 48mg (5%) Iron: 2mg (11%)