A stew of pork, liver, potatoes, raisins, carrots, bell peppers and peas, Filipino menudo is cooked in tomato sauce with lots of onion, garlic, oregano and bay leaves.
600gramspork bellywith at least 30 per cent fat, cut into one-inch cubes
1onionpeeled and chopped
6clovesgarlicpeeled and chopped
2sprigs oreganostripped
1large bay leafuse two if yours are small
salt
pepper
1can diced tomatoes(400 grams / 14 oz)
¼cupraisinsmore if you want a sweeter menudo
1 to 2tablespoonsliquid seasoningI use Knorr
2cupsbrothvegetable or chicken
1large potatopeeled and cut into half-inch cubes
1medium carrotpeeled and cut into cubes slightly less than half-inch
1bell pepperdeseeded and diced
¼cupsweet peas
150gramspork liver(5 oz) cut into half-inch cubes
Instructions
Coat the bottom of a cooking pan with the oil and heat.
Spread the pork belly cubes on the hot oil and leave until the undersides are just starting to brown. Toss and cook until no pinkness is visible.
Add the onion, garlic, oregano and bay leaf. Sprinkle in a tablespoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the pork is browned along the edges and the onion pieces appear translucent.
Pour in the tomatoes and add the raisins. Stir.
Pour in the liquid seasoning.
Bring to the boil, cover the pan, lower the heat and simmer for fifteen minutes.
Check the liquid. If too dry, add a half cup of broth. Taste, add more salt and pepper, if needed, and simmer for another fifteen minnutes.
Check the liquid again, add another half cup of broth and adjust the seasonings, if necessary.
When the pork is more than halfway done, stir in the potato and carrot cubes. Pour in half cup of broth. Sprinkle in a little more salt. Simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Stir in the diced bell pepper and peas.
Add the pork liver, stir, cover the pan and simmer for another five minutes.
Give your menudo a final taste before serving. Best with rice or bread.