Easy Lechon Kawali Recipe
What is Lechon Kawali?
Lechon kawali is simply crispy pork belly deep-fried in a pan or wok (kawali). It is also known as lechon carajay, in some areas of the Philippines.
Lechon Kawali is boiled first in a seasoning mixture. It is then fried to a crisp. After frying, it is chopped into pieces. It is usually eaten with rice accompanied with a dipping sauce, such as “lechon sauce” traditionally made with pork liver, or toyomansi (pormanteu of soy sauce with calamansi). Atsara (unripe papaya pickles) is a favorite side dish too!
Lechon Kawali, when fried extensively until it becomes crispy and crunchy, then becomes the Ilocano Bagnet. Bagnet is a variant of chicharon.
Left-overs could be used as the protein for vegetable dishes like Pinakbet and stir-fried water spinach with shrimp paste.
By the way, this dish should not be mistaken for the traditional lechon. Both dishes are prepared differently. A basic lechon recipe is HERE. Maybe it was called that way as a means of comparison to the crispy texture of the pork skin. Almost every Filipino kitchen has a kawali (wok or frying pan). Hence the name, pan fried crispy pork. Below is a picture of a typical Filipino kawali:
How To Cook:
The first step in cooking this dish is to boil the pork belly in seasoned water. The flavors from the seasonings are absorbed by the pork belly while boiling. It is important to get the pork belly really tender at this stage. When done, rub the pork belly with salt after it has cooled down.
The next step is deep-frying the pork belly in very hot oil. Deep-frying makes the pork belly (particularly the skin, crispy and crunchy). If the oil is not enough to completely deep-fry the pork belly, make sure to completely fry all sides.
NOTE: Deep-frying may result in oil splatters. Be very careful. Make sure you have a pan cover ready just in case the oil splatters. Just make sure not to cover completely so as not to create steam, which in turn might result into more oil splatters.
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Recipe for Lechon Kawali:
Easy Lechon Kawali Recipe
Course: MAIN COURSECuisine: FilipinoDifficulty: Moderate4
servings20
minutes1
hour30
minutes1726
kcal1
hour50
minutesLechon kawali is simply crispy pork belly deep-fried in a pan or wok (kawali).
Ingredients
1 kilo pork belly
2 tbsp salt
2 tbsp whole pepper corn
5 pcs dried bay leaves
3 cups cooking oil
1 liter water
Directions
- Boil The Pork Belly
- In a large cooking pot bring water to a boil.
- Add the pork belly followed by 1 tbsp of salt, pepper, and bay leaves and simmer for 30 minutes or until meat is tender.
- Remove the pork belly from the pot and let it cool down for a few minutes.
- Rub the remaining 1 tbsp of salt on the cooled down pork belly and make sure to distribute it evenly on all sections.
- Deep Fry The Pork Belly
- Heat the oil in a dry deep pot.
- When the oil is hot enough, deep fry the pork belly and cook until brown and the meat’s texture is crispy.
- Flip the pork belly to cook the opposite side.
- Remove the meat from the pan, let it cool down a little then chop according to desired portions.
- Serve hot. Share and Enjoy!
Notes
- NOTE: Deep-frying may result in oil splatters. Be very careful. Make sure you have a pan cover ready just in case the oil splatters. Just make sure not to cover completely so as not to create steam, which in turn might result into more oil splatters.
Nutrition Facts
4 servings per container
Serving Size649
- Amount Per ServingCalories1726
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
175.78g
226%
- Cholesterol 113mg 38%
- Sodium 6069mg 264%
- Potassium 724mg 16%
- Total Carbohydrate
4.67g
2%
- Dietary Fiber 0.3g 2%
- Total Sugars 3.22g
- Protein 38.93g 78%
- Vitamin A 6mcg 1%
- Vitamin C 1mg 2%
- Calcium 3mg 1%
- Iron 13mg 73%
- Vitamin D 8mcg 40%
- Vitamin E 93mg 620%
- Vitamin K 334mcg 279%
- Thiamin 82mg 6834%
- Riboflavin 38mg 2924%
- Niacin 88mg 550%
- Vitamin B6 72mg 4236%
- Vitamin B12 43mcg 1792%
- Folate 2mcg 1%
- Phosphorus 86mg 7%
- Magnesium 15mg 4%
- Zinc 52mg 473%
- Selenium 143mcg 260%
- Copper 30mg 3334%
- Manganese 7mg 305%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
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By Cooking Method: Boiling | Frying
By Cuisine: Filipino
By Diet or Lifestyle: Budget-Friendly
By Dish Type: Side Dishes
By Main Ingredient: Pork
Other Useful Categories: Beginner Recipes | Comfort Food | Traditional & Authentic
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