Filipino Pochero Recipe using pork belly

Pochero (Puchero) is another great dish that we inherited from the Spanish. It is a stew of meat, vegetable, root crops and legumes and was originally considered as peasant stew (in Andalusia). This is because the meat that was usually used were from cheapest (fatty) cuts from a pig, cow, and chicken and with vegetables that were in season.

The Filipino Pochero is slightly different as it has tomato sauce and it. What sets it apart from other tomato-based stew is that it (must) have ripe plantain banana or ‘saba’. This makes a rather interesting flavor to the stew because it adds a natural sweetness to the dish.

I chose to pre-boil the pork belly to make sure that they are really tender and the vegetables not overcooked. I did it the night before and then placed the meat and broth in the fridge until it was time to cook my Pochero the next day.  It is also a good idea especially for those who do not have enough time to prepare it for lunch or dinner.

By the way, this post is for Tina who requested this recipe of Pochero and who loves impressing her son and husband with her great Filipino food! 🙂

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5 from 2 votes

Pork Pochero Recipe

Try this Filipino Pork Pochero recipe using pork belly. A tomato-based stew that has ripe plantain bananas that set it apart from any other!

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian,Filipino

Servings: 4

Calories: 1417kcal

Author: Bebs

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS

US Customary - Metric

• 28 ounces pork belly - - cut into cubes
• 2-3 tablespoons oil
• 2 ripe plantain bananas - - each cut into 3 pieces
• 1 small carrots - - cut into chunks
• 1 big or 2 medium potatoes - - cut into quarters
• 2 cloves garlic - - minced
• 1 medium onion - - chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes - - cut into chunks
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 cup chickpeas - (garbanzos) - canned
• 2-3 cups pork broth - - or water
• 1 bunch pak choi - - the base cut

INSTRUCTIONS

• Boil pork belly in water until it becomes tender. Separate the meat and broth when ready to cook.
• Heat oil in a deep pan or a pot and fry the potatoes, carrots, and bananas until the edges are slightly browned. Remove from oil and transfer to a plate.
• In the same oil saute garlic, onion, and tomato until limp.
• Add the pork belly cuts and the tomato paste. Season with fish sauce and ground pepper.
• Next, add back the fried potatoes, carrots and banana plantain (saba) and also the chickpeas.
• Pour in the broth/water and let it simmer to cook the potatoes and carrots and until the broth turns into a thicker sauce.
• Lastly, add the pak choi and turn off the heat. Cover the pot for 3 minutes to cook the pak choi.
• Serve hot with rice.

RECIPE NOTES

If the plantain bananas are not sweet enough, add a teaspoon of sugar.

Nutrition Facts

Pork Pochero Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 1417 Calories from Fat 1161

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 129g 198%

Saturated Fat 44g 220%

Cholesterol 163mg 54%

Sodium 1391mg 58%

Potassium 1556mg 44%

Total Carbohydrates 35g 12%

Dietary Fiber 7g 28%

Sugars 14g

Protein 30g 60%

Vitamin A 234.4%

Vitamin C 139.8%

Calcium 27.9%

Iron 26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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