Portuguese-inspired Pork Bifana with Spiced Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork loin, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) pork loin, thinly sliced
• 4 crusty rolls 4 crusty rolls
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato passata 1 cup (240ml) tomato passata
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, paprika, dried oregano, ground cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
2. 2.
   Add the pork slices to the bowl and toss until well coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork slices and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, add the tomato passata and white wine vinegar. Stir well and let it simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. 5.
   Return the cooked pork slices to the skillet and coat them with the spiced tomato sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. 6.
   Slice the crusty rolls in half and lightly toast them. Place a few slices of the pork on each roll and spoon some of the spiced tomato sauce over the top.
7. 7.
   Serve the Pork Bifana warm and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork loin — For the best results, choose lean and tender pork loin slices. If you can't find pre-sliced pork loin, you can buy a whole pork loin and slice it thinly yourself.
• Tomato passata — Tomato passata is a thick, strained tomato puree. If you can't find it, you can substitute it with tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes blended until smooth.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra tenderness, you can pound the pork slices with a meat mallet before marinating.
• Adjust the level of spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of red pepper flakes in the marinade.
• If you prefer a sweeter sauce, you can add a teaspoon of brown sugar to the tomato sauce.
• Serve the Bifana with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for an added burst of flavor.
• If you're short on time, you can marinate the pork overnight for even more flavor.

Serving advice

Serve the Pork Bifana on a crusty roll with a side of fries or a fresh salad. It pairs well with a cold beer or a glass of Portuguese red wine.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can garnish the Bifana with fresh parsley or cilantro leaves. Serve it open-faced to showcase the juicy pork slices and the vibrant spiced tomato sauce.