Pork Belly Asado
Fatty, tender, and wickedly good — these are the earmarks of a delectable pork belly cut. Otherwise known as liempo, this particular slice of meat can draw in eaters like no other. Whether young or old, all of your loved ones (and you, too!) can likely attest to the tastiness and appeal pork belly has…
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Fatty, tender, and wickedly good — these are the earmarks of a delectable pork belly cut. Otherwise known as liempo, this particular slice of meat can draw in eaters like no other. Whether young or old, all of your loved ones (and you, too!) can likely attest to the tastiness and appeal pork belly has to offer. Versatile and dependable, pork belly is a welcome guest in the kitchen because of how many concoctions you can come up with starring it. We tend to view liempo in its golden brown state — deep fried until magnificently crispy. But pork belly works just as well when you coat it in a tantalizingly delicious sauce. Such is the case with this pork belly asado we’ll be making today!
Many Filipino dishes have been influenced by our many encounters with other countries across history. Pork belly asado is no exception. This dish is a direct example of what we’ve learned or gotten from Chinese influence! Both sweet and savory, we often see asado as the stuffing in deliciously filling siopao. But pork belly asado isn’t just good for hot buns; you can enjoy it with steaming, heaping cups of rice, too! This meal will surely give your pork belly the justice it deserves; you, your family, and friends won’t be able to get enough!
What’s in this pork belly asado?
Like we mentioned earlier, this recipe is a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors. This, of course, has to do with the number of different ingredients that make up this delicious meal! Here are the main components that will make your pork belly asado truly shine.
Pork belly
You simply can’t go wrong with delicious pork belly. This delicious cut is boneless, savory, and fatty — having come from the underside of the pig. It often makes for a go-to cut for grilling, as its meat easily soaks up the smoky, tasty flavors. In this pork belly asado, our liempo easily absorbs the delectable marinade that we’ll be making, too! You can easily find pork belly in any typical supermarket or grocery. Refer also to this article to find out how to pick the perfect, juicy cut of pork belly for this asado concoction! If you can’t find pork belly around, you can always opt for beef bacon, pork fatback, or even tempeh — a plant-based substitute!
Knorr Pork Cube
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, its effect will be the same on our tasty, saucy pork belly asado. The Knorr Pork Cube also adds a delightful pork aroma, contributing to your meal’s already appealing fragrance.
Banana ketchup and brown sugar
These two ingredients make up the sweet component of your dish! Banana ketchup is a Filipino native; a condiment consisting of banana, sugar, vinegar, and other spices. A prime example of Filipino innovation and creativity, banana ketchup adds sweetness and vibrance to any dish. Whether pairing it with omelets, fried chicken, or the pork belly asado we have now, it surely makes all the difference. And, of course, we can’t discount brown sugar’s way of naturally adding sweetness to your meal!
Soy sauce
With a distinctly umami flavor, soy sauce adds saltiness to your dish, making it richer and more balanced in taste. A popular ingredient in many Asian cuisines, this condiment partners well with almost anything! Here, it balances out the sweetness of your banana ketchup and brown sugar, and altogether renders your pork belly asado more complex! This sauce is definitely a key part of your pork belly asado’s marinade.
Star anise
Though subtle in flavor, there is no doubt that star anise plays a big role in adding spice and seasoning to your dish. Several Filipino dishes that have Chinese origins employ star anise’s unique qualities to make their dishes even more delicious. From humba to pata tim, this one of a kind spice will be just the thing for your pork belly asado to become more irresistible!
What can I serve this pork belly asado with?
As is the case with most Chinese-Filipino dishes, you can’t go wrong with delectable fried rice! Delicious yang chow is an integral part of Chinese cuisine, and when you have it with pork belly asado that just makes for a winning combination! With both of these recipes together, you have a takeout dupe on your hands for sure. As regards vegetables, bok choy is an easy, quick option that’ll taste delicious with your juicy pork belly. Try this bok choy with garlic and oyster sauce out for size!
How to make pork belly asado
- Make your marinade!
The secret to a wonderful pork belly asado lies in its marinade. For this, you’ll need to combine your pork belly, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic. Mix this combination well and ensure that you’ve coated your tender pork cut in this delightful sauce. Then, allow it to sit and marinate, overnight exactly. You don’t want it to come out underseasoned, but it’s also important not to marinate your dish for too long. This will turn your meat mushy; hence, an overnight marinade should do the trick!
- Boiling and brimming with flavor
When you’re finished with your marinating, heat 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pot. Toss in your onions, sautéing them until they’ve softened, before adding the pork you marinated. Bring this to a boil, then add your Knorr Pork Cube and star anise for that deeper flavor. For an extra hour, cover the pot and let your pork belly asado continue cooking. This will make your recipe deeper, fuller, and more flavorful!
- Finishing touches
Add both brown sugar and butter for a sweeter, creamier taste, then stir this into your pork belly asado. In a separate glass, you’ll need to make a slurry; combine cornstarch with a quarter cup of water. A slurry will improve the viscosity of your dish. After mixing well, pour the slurry into the pot and cook until you get the thickness in sauce that you desire.
After seasoning with salt and ground black pepper to taste, your pork belly asado is finally ready! Transfer your dish to a serving bowl and enjoy it with rice and side dishes of your choice.
Here are some pork belly recipes that you will love
And if you liked working with pork belly, here are other recipes for you:
Let us know what you and your family think of this tasty pork belly asado!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we can see your creations!
Pork Belly Asado
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. pork belly
- 1 Knorr Pork Cube
- ¼ cup banana ketchup
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 8 cloves garlic minced
- 1 onion minced
- 2 star anise
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cups water
- 3 tablespoons cooking oil
Instructions
- Combine pork belly, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic. Mix well. Marinate overnight.
- Heat oil in a pot. Saute onion until it softens.
- Add marinated pork. Saute until it browns.
- Pour water into the pan. Let it boil.
- Add Knorr Pork cube and star anise. Cover and continue cooking for 1 hour.
- Add brown sugar and butter. Stir.
- Make a slurry by combining cornstarch with ¼ cup water. Mix well. Pour the mixture into the pot. Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Season with salt and ground black pepper.
- Serve with rice. Share and enjoy!
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