Pro Tips
**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Make sure the pan and oil are hot before adding ingredients for the best sear.
- Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding — lowering the temperature makes food greasy.
- Cook tomato-based pork stews until the oil rises to the surface for concentrated flavor.
- Taste the pork broth and adjust seasoning with fish sauce or salt just before serving.
Cooking Tips
Pat the meat completely dry with paper towels before frying — moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 350–375°F (175–190°C). If the oil is too cool, the food absorbs grease; too hot and it burns on the outside before cooking through. Check liquid levels halfway through cooking and add hot water or broth if needed. Long-cooked dishes can dry out or burn if left unattended.
Ingredient Substitutions
Pork alternatives: Chicken thighs work well in most pork recipes (they stay moist like pork does). For a leaner option, use turkey breast or firm tofu. Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.
Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
Chicharon Bulaklak with Spicy Vinegar
Made with pork masentery, lemongrass, coarse sea salt and cooking oil — a hearty Filipino dish that's simple to cook and satisfying to share.
Instructions
- Prepare the chicharon bulaklak by boiling water in a cooking pot.
- Once the water starts to boil, add the pork masentry (bulaklak) and lemongrass. Cover and boil in medium heat for 1 hour.
- While the masentry is cooking, prepare the spicy vinegar. Start by adding the Thai chili pepper, garlic, whole pepperorn, and ginger in a food processor. Mince.
- Transfer to a large bowl and then add the unrefined coconut vinegar and sukang paombong. Add salt to taste. Stir. Tranfer to a container. Set aside. Note: serve this later with the crispy chicharon.
- Remove the boiled masentry from the pot. Let it cool down. Rub salt all over.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or a deep coking pot. Once the reaches 330F, deep fry the bulaklak for 15 minutes. Let it rest for 5 minutes (take out from the oil).
- Deep fry for the second time for 3 to 5 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Arrange on a serving plate. Serve with Spicy vinegar.
- Serve!
Kitchen Tools We Recommend
Cook Chicharon Bulaklak with Spicy Vinegar the easy way with the right tools. Shop our favorite kitchen essentials on Amazon — from reliable pots and pans to measuring tools that make Filipino cooking simpler.
🔥 Trending on Amazon right now — these products are selling fast. Check out what's climbing the charts.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Make sure the pan and oil are hot before adding ingredients for the best sear.
- Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding — lowering the temperature makes food greasy.
- Cook tomato-based pork stews until the oil rises to the surface for concentrated flavor.
- Taste the pork broth and adjust seasoning with fish sauce or salt just before serving.
Cooking Tips
Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 350–375°F (175–190°C). If the oil is too cool, the food absorbs grease; too hot and it burns on the outside before cooking through.
Check liquid levels halfway through cooking and add hot water or broth if needed. Long-cooked dishes can dry out or burn if left unattended.
Substitutions
Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.
Storage & Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
Comments (0)
Leave a comment