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Pinakupsan

Pinakupsan

⏱ Prep: 0 min ⏱ Cook: 400 min Hard

Ingredients

  • 0.75 pound 3 pounds pork belly cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 0.5 teaspoon 2 teaspoons salt
  • 0 Place the pork in a wide, thick-bottomed pan. Season with salt.
  • 0 Cook, turning occasionally, for about 7 to 10 minutes or until pork begins to render fat. Reduce the heat and continue cooking until the pork is browned and reduced in size.
  • 0 When the pork has released oil, decrease heat to low. Cover and continue to cook, turning occasionally, until pork pieces are golden brown and reduced in size.
  • 0 With a slotted spoon, remove the pork from the pan and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes.
  • 0 Clean the oil of any sediments and heat. Return the pork to the pan and deep-fry until golden and crunchy.
  • 0 Remove from the pan and drain on a wire rack.
  • 0 Cut the pork into uniform sizes to ensure the pieces render fat at the same rate and finish crisping up at the same time.
  • 0 Do not rush the process. The gentle, low cooking will allow the pork to render fat slowly and crisp up without burning, resulting in airy, crunchy bites rather than a tough, chewy texture.
  • 0 The longer the pork is cooked and the more fat it renders, the crispier the texture.

Instructions

  1. Cut the pork into uniform sizes to ensure the pieces render fat at the same rate and finish crisping up at the same time.

  2. Season the pork with salt. There is no need to add water or liquid.

  3. Do not rush the process. The gentle, low cooking will allow the pork to render fat slowly and crisp up without burning, resulting in airy, crunchy bites rather than a tough, chewy texture.

  4. The longer the pork is cooked and the more fat it renders, the crispier the texture.

  5. These delectable pork morsels are often enjoyed as an appetizer or main dish. Serve with steamed rice and spicy vinegar for a hearty meal.

  6. Turn leftovers into humba or add to pancit, vegetable stir-fries, and soups such as pancit bihon, pinakbet, or ginisang munggo.

  7. Do not reheat in the microwave as the meat can turn soggy and chewy. To refresh the crispy pork and restore some crunch, pop them in an air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes.