Kamil Perry
Pork Caldereta, also known as Kalderetang Baboy in the Philippines, is a rich and flavorful Filipino stew made with tender pork chunks cooked in a savory tomato-based sauce. The dish is often served during special occasions and gatherings and is a favorite among Filipinos. It is derived from a Spanish recipe with the same name, which features lamb as the primary meat ingredient. However, the Filipino version has been altered to use pork and other ingredients that are more accessible. This dish is special because it doesn't require too many ingredients and is very easy to make. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to cook Pork Caldereta with cheese, a popular variation of the classic recipe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Philippines |
| Main Ingredient | Pork |
| Other Ingredients | Tomato sauce, onions, garlic, liver spread, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, cheese, olives, raisins, salt, black pepper |
| Variations | Chicken, beef, goat meat |
| Cooking Method | Sautéing, simmering |
| Cooking Time | 40 minutes to 1 hour |
| Serving Suggestions | Steamed white rice, boiled potatoes, vegetables, salad |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the ingredients
Meat and Marinade
For the meat, you can use pork shoulder or pork belly, cut into cubes. The pork shoulder is a great option as it contains a bit of fat that helps keep the meat moist and tender. Alternatively, you can also use other meats like beef, chicken, or goat. If you're using pork, prepare a marinade by mixing soy sauce, black pepper, and a pinch of sugar or a splash of Worcestershire sauce. This will add depth of flavour to the meat.
Vegetables
Wash and chop your vegetables into desired sizes. You'll need potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. You can also add onions, garlic, and celery. If you want to add a bit of sweetness to the dish, include some raisins. Remember to not overcook the vegetables, as you'll want to retain their natural taste and texture.
Spices and Seasonings
For spices and seasonings, you'll need salt, ground black pepper, and liver spread or liver pâté. The liver adds a distinctive flavour to the dish. You can also include a Knorr Pork Cube to enhance the meaty flavour. If you want to give it a spicy kick, add some ground paprika. Additionally, you can use tomato sauce or tomato paste to create a rich, savoury base.
Cheese
For the cheesy element, you can use grated cheddar cheese or processed cheese. You can add the cheese towards the end of cooking, stirring it into the sauce until it melts and creates a creamy, indulgent texture.
Oil
Use a cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as olive oil, for sautéing and frying the ingredients.
Optional Ingredients
To make your pork caldereta even more special, you can add a few optional ingredients. Manzanilla olives provide a nice sour and salty taste. You can also add peanut butter for a creative twist, giving the stew a unique flavour and creaminess.
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Sautéing the aromatics
To begin making pork caldereta, heat oil in a cooking pot or skillet over medium heat. The oil is used to sauté and brown the aromatics, helping to build a deep flavour right from the start. Add 3 cloves of chopped garlic and 1 chopped onion to the pot. Sauté these together until the garlic is golden brown and the onions are lightly browned and translucent.
Once the aromatics are fragrant and translucent, you can add the pork. If you are using a slow cooker, sear the pork first and then transfer it to the slow cooker. Pork shoulder is a good choice as it contains a bit of fat that helps keep the meat moist. Cut the pork into cubes and add them to the pot. Sauté the pork until it is lightly browned, which will add flavour to the dish.
At this point, you can add the other ingredients, such as tomato sauce, soy sauce, liver spread, and vegetables. If you are using cheese, it can be added towards the end of cooking, stirred through until melted.
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Browning the pork
Firstly, heat some oil in a pan or pot over medium heat. You can use olive oil or any cooking oil of your choice. Heat around 3 tablespoons of oil to start—you can always add more if needed.
Next, add your aromatics: chopped garlic and onions. Sauté these together until fragrant and translucent. The garlic should be golden brown, and the onions should be lightly browned. This step is crucial as it forms the base flavour of your dish.
Now, it's time to add the pork. For pork caldereta, you want to use pork shoulder or pork belly, cut into cubes. Add the pork to the pot and cook until it starts to brown. Make sure to stir occasionally to ensure even browning. You want the pork to have a beautiful light brown colour all over.
At this point, you can add other ingredients like paprika and tomato paste, as well as any other spices or seasonings you wish to include. Stir everything together and combine the flavours.
Once the pork is browned and the spices are added, you can proceed with the next steps of the recipe, such as adding water or stock, vegetables, and liver spread or cheese. Remember to adjust the heat as needed to avoid burning the ingredients.
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Adding cheese and other ingredients
Pork Caldereta is a hearty and flavorful Filipino stew that is perfect for sharing with family and friends. The dish combines Spanish and Filipino culinary influences, resulting in a rich and savory meal. While the basic ingredients of pork, tomato, garlic, and spices are enough to make a delicious Caldereta, there are several other ingredients you can add to elevate the dish.
Cheese is a popular addition to Pork Caldereta, adding a touch of richness and creaminess to the stew. You can use shredded cheddar, processed cheese, or grated cheddar, stirring it into the sauce towards the end of cooking until it melts. This will give your Caldereta a yummy, indulgent twist.
Other ingredients you can add to your Pork Caldereta include liver spread or liver pâté, which will enhance the sauce's richness and thickness. You can also add vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and olives. Olives provide a nice salty and sour taste to the dish. Fry the potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers until golden brown and slightly crispy, and then set them aside. You can also add a pinch of sugar or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to balance out the flavors and raisins for a touch of sweetness.
To start cooking, heat oil in a pan or pot over medium heat and add your garlic and onions. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, and then add your pork chunks. Brown the pork on all sides and then pour in your tomato sauce or paste, allowing the mixture to simmer. You can also add water or pineapple juice and let the pork simmer until tender. Finally, add your fried veggies and any other ingredients, such as cheese and liver spread, and let the dish simmer until it thickens.
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Serving suggestions
Pork Caldereta is a hearty, rich, and flavorful Filipino dish. It is a popular main course and is commonly served during special occasions and gatherings.
The classic version of Caldereta is served with goat, but it can also be made with beef or pork. The best cuts of pork for Caldereta are those with a good balance of meat and fat, such as pork shoulder or pork belly.
Pork Caldereta is traditionally served with steamed white rice or boiled potatoes. The rice is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce. However, it can also be served on its own or with other sides such as vegetables or a salad. For a more unique twist, try serving it with linguine pasta or on a hot sandwich.
If you're looking for a heartier meal, you can serve Pork Caldereta with steamed rice and a side of boiled potatoes. You can also add a fried egg on top for an extra indulgent touch.
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Frequently asked questions
Pork caldereta is a Filipino tomato-based stew made with tender pork chunks cooked in a savoury sauce. To make it with cheese, follow the standard recipe but add grated cheddar or processed cheese towards the end of cooking, stirring until it melts.
You will need: pork, potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, cheese, garlic, onions, liver spread, soy sauce, fish sauce, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and oil.
First, heat oil in a pan. Fry the potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers until golden brown and slightly crispy. Set aside. Next, heat oil in a large pot and sauté the garlic and onions until fragrant and translucent. Add the pork chunks and cook until browned.
You should add the cheese towards the end of cooking. Once the sauce has thickened, add the cheese and let it simmer for two minutes.
Pork caldereta is traditionally served with steamed white rice or boiled potatoes. However, you can also serve it with other sides such as vegetables or a salad.
