Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transport your taste buds straight to the vibrant kitchens of the Philippines! This slow-cooked pork hock stew is not just a meal, it's a warm embrace of rich flavors and tender meat that promises to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary dining experience. Whether you're a seasoned home chef or a curious food lover, this recipe guarantees a mouthwatering dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Filipino
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pork hocks
- 4 cups water
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the pork hocks thoroughly under cold running water, removing any excess fat or debris. Pat dry with paper towels.
- In a large slow cooker, place the clean pork hocks at the bottom of the pot, ensuring they are spread out evenly.
- Chop the onion into medium-sized pieces and mince the garlic cloves. Slice the carrots into half-inch rounds and cube the potatoes into one-inch chunks.
- Distribute the chopped onions, minced garlic, sliced carrots, and cubed potatoes around and on top of the pork hocks in the slow cooker.
- Pour 4 cups of water into the slow cooker, ensuring the pork hocks are mostly submerged.
- Add the tablespoon of soy sauce, which will provide depth and umami flavor to the stew.
- Season generously with salt and pepper, adjusting to your taste preferences.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Cook for 8 hours, allowing the pork hocks to become tender and the flavors to meld together.
- After 8 hours, carefully remove the lid and check the meat's tenderness. The pork hocks should be falling off the bone.
- Taste the stew and adjust seasoning if needed with additional salt and pepper.
- Serve hot in deep bowls, ensuring each serving contains meat, vegetables, and plenty of the rich broth.
Tips
- Choose high-quality, fresh pork hocks with a good balance of meat and fat for maximum flavor and tenderness.
- Pat the pork hocks dry before cooking to help achieve better browning and flavor development.
- For an extra depth of flavor, consider briefly searing the pork hocks before placing them in the slow cooker.
- Use low and slow cooking to ensure the meat becomes incredibly tender and falls off the bone.
- Don't rush the cooking process - the 8-hour slow cook is crucial for developing rich, complex flavors.
- If the broth seems too thin, you can thicken it by mixing a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and stirring it in during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Serve with steamed rice to soak up the delicious broth and complete your Filipino culinary experience.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 23g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 50mg
