Tocino (Version 5)

May 23, 2023May 23, 20230 2

Tocino (Version 5) - A Sweet and Savory Pork Dish

by The Chefin Main

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Ready In

24 hours and 30 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	3 lbs pork shoulder ( sliced into 1/4-inch thick pieces )
	3/4 cup sugar
	3/4 cup brown sugar ( light or dark )
	1 garlic clove , peeled and minced
	3 tablespoons salt
	3 tablespoons beets , powder ( you can substitute about 15 drops of red food colouring if you prefer . )
	1 tablespoon light soy sauce
	oil , for pan frying

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

312

Sugar

51g

Fat

Tocino is a popular Filipino dish that typically consists of sweet and savory marinated pork strips. The pork is usually served with rice and is commonly eaten as a breakfast dish. While Tocino has deep roots in Filipino cuisine, it is becoming popular in many parts of the world. This recipe for Tocino (Version 5) has a unique twist as it includes beets, which provide a natural sweetener and a vibrant color to the dish. The pork is marinated for a minimum of 24 hours and then pan-fried until it is fully cooked and caramelized. This dish is easy to prepare and takes less than an hour from start to finish.

Instructions

1.	In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, brown sugar, minced garlic, salt, beets (or food color), and light soy sauce.
2.	Mix the marinade well and then add the sliced pork shoulder.
3.	Massage the marinade into the pork, making sure each piece is fully coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
4.	After marination, remove the pork from the bowl and let the excess marinade drip off.
5.	Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat.
6.	Fry the pork slices until both sides are caramelized and fully cooked.
7.	Transfer the Tocino to a plate and serve hot with rice.

PROS

Tocino is a flavorful pork dish with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
The dish is easy and fast to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

CONS

This dish is high in sugar and sodium, which may not be suitable for some diets.

Moreover, this recipe requires a considerable amount of marination time, requiring you to plan ahead.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Pork is a significant source of vitamins and minerals, including thiamin, zinc, selenium, niacin, and vitamin B12.
In addition, pork is a high-protein food that can aid in muscle building and repair. However, consuming processed meats like Tocino in moderation is ideal due to their high sodium content.