Are you ready to transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Latin America with a single, mouthwatering dish? Prepare to fall in love with Cerdo Guisado de Puerco, a traditional pork stew that promises to be your new comfort food obsession! This hearty, slow-cooked marvel transforms simple ingredients into a symphony of rich, tender flavors that will have your family and friends begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Latin American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 kg pork shoulder, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by cutting pork shoulder into 1-inch cubes, chopping onion, mincing garlic, and dicing tomatoes and bell pepper.
- Season pork cubes generously with salt and black pepper, ensuring even coating on all pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Brown pork cubes in batches, ensuring each piece develops a deep golden-brown crust. This should take about 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove browned meat and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté chopped onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Add chopped bell peppers and tomatoes, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to release their flavors.
- Return browned pork to the pot and pour in vegetable broth, ensuring meat is mostly covered.
- Bring the stew to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for approximately 1 hour or until pork is tender and easily pulls apart.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Let stew rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
- Serve hot, optionally accompanied by rice, beans, or crusty bread.
Tips
- Choose the right cut: Pork shoulder (also called pork butt) is ideal for this recipe due to its marbling and ability to become incredibly tender when slow-cooked.
- Browning is key: Take your time browning the meat in batches. This crucial step develops a deep, rich flavor foundation for your entire stew.
- Low and slow is the mantra: Resist the temptation to rush the cooking process. Simmering on low heat allows the meat to become melt-in-your-mouth tender and lets the flavors fully develop.
- Let it rest: Always allow your stew to rest for 10 minutes after cooking. This helps the flavors meld and the meat to become even more tender.
- Make ahead friendly: This stew tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to prepare it in advance. The flavors will continue to develop and intensify overnight.
- Customize your sides: While delicious on its own, this stew pairs wonderfully with white rice, black beans, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 330kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 110mg
