Homemade Sweet and Savory Tocino

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) pork belly, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vinegar 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Cooking oil, for frying Cooking oil, for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 8g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, minced garlic, brown sugar, vinegar, black pepper, and salt. Mix well until the sugar is dissolved.
2. 2.
   Add the thinly sliced pork belly to the marinade, ensuring that each piece is coated evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 24 hours.
3. 3.
   Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a small amount of cooking oil.
4. 4.
   Remove the marinated pork belly from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
5. 5.
   Place the pork slices in the hot pan, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the meat is caramelized and cooked through.
6. 6.
   Transfer the cooked tocino to a serving plate and repeat the process with the remaining pork slices.
7. 7.
   Serve the Sweet and Savory Tocino with garlic fried rice, eggs, and your choice of side dishes.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork belly — Choose a well-marbled cut of pork belly for the best flavor and tenderness. If desired, you can trim off excess fat before slicing.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the marinade.
• If you prefer a sweeter tocino, increase the amount of brown sugar in the marinade.
• To achieve a more caramelized and flavorful crust, cook the tocino on a cast-iron skillet or grill pan.
• Leftover tocino can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
• For a complete Filipino breakfast experience, serve the tocino with garlic fried rice, sunny-side-up eggs, and a side of atchara (pickled papaya).

Serving advice

Serve the Sweet and Savory Tocino as a main dish alongside garlic fried rice and sunny-side-up eggs. Garnish with chopped spring onions for added freshness and color.

Presentation advice

Arrange the caramelized tocino slices on a serving platter, drizzling any remaining glaze over the top. Place a mound of garlic fried rice on one side and a sunny-side-up egg on the other. Sprinkle chopped spring onions over the dish for a vibrant touch.