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Filipino Menudo is one of those dishes that just feels like home. It’s hearty, it’s flavorful, and it’s got that special touch that makes you want to gather around the table with loved ones. Today, I’m sharing a recipe for making this classic dish that’s bursting with all those comforting flavors you crave.
Ingredients:
- 1 lbs pork shoulder or pork belly, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 Filipino hotdogs, sliced diagonally
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 large bell pepper (red or green), diced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce or 2 tablespoons tomato paste mixed with 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (patis)
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- Oil for frying (for potatoes and bell peppers)
Instructions:
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Get Everything Ready:
- Chop up your pork into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Peel and dice those potatoes (soak them in water while waiting to be fried)
- Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and dice the bell pepper.
- Slice the Filipino hotdogs diagonally.
- Get everything ready to go!
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Fry Up the Potatoes and Bell Pepper:
- Heat some oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Fry up those potatoes until they’re golden and crispy. Take them out and set them aside.
- Now, toss in the diced bell pepper and let it sizzle until it’s soft and caramelized. Take that out too and set it aside.
- In the same pan, add the sliced Filipino hotdogs and fry until they are slightly browned. Remove and set aside.
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Sauté the Good Stuff:
- Grab a big pot and heat up some oil over medium heat.
- Add in your minced garlic and let it get all nice and golden.
- Throw in the chopped onion and let it cook until it’s soft and fragrant.
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Brown the Pork:
- Crank up the heat to medium-high and toss in your pork pieces.
- Let them get nice and brown on all sides. That’s where the flavor comes from!
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Add the Tomato Sauce and Flavorings:
- Pour in your tomato sauce or that tomato paste mixed with water. Give it all a good stir.
- Season it up with black pepper, salt, and that secret weapon – fish sauce. Don’t skip it!
- Drop in those bay leaves for an extra boost of flavor.
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Simmer Away:
- Pop a lid on that pot and let everything simmer away over low to medium heat. This is where the magic happens. Let it go for about 30-40 minutes until the pork is tender.
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Bringing It All Together:
- Once the pork is nearly there, toss in those crispy potatoes, caramelized bell peppers, and hotdogs.
- Give it all a gentle stir and let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are soft and everything’s melded together beautifully.
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Time to Eat:
- Fish out those bay leaves – we don’t want anyone chomping down on those!
- Serve up your Filipino Menudo hot and steamy, with a side of rice. It’s pure comfort in a bowl!
And there you have it – your very own homemade Filipino Menudo! With its tender pork, crispy potatoes, and savory tomato sauce, it’s a dish that’s sure to bring smiles to the table. So gather your ingredients, fire up that stove, and get ready to enjoy a taste of home like no other. Happy cooking!
