Crispy Pork Belly with Spicy Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the traditional Spanish Torreznos dish is transformed into a Kenyan delight by incorporating Kenyan spices and flavors. The original dish typically uses Spanish spices and flavors, but this recipe infuses the pork belly with a blend of Kenyan spices, such as cumin, coriander, and chili powder. Additionally, the spicy tomato sauce adds a unique Kenyan twist to the dish, making it a delightful fusion of Spanish and Kenyan cuisines. We alse have the original recipe for Torreznos, so you can check it out.

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) pork belly 1 kg (2.2 lbs) pork belly
• 2 teaspoons cumin powder 2 teaspoons cumin powder
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• 4 ripe tomatoes, diced 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 red chili, finely chopped 1 red chili, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 35g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 5g, 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   Score the skin of the pork belly with a sharp knife, making shallow cuts in a criss-cross pattern.
3. 3.
   In a small bowl, combine the cumin powder, coriander powder, chili powder, and salt.
4. 4.
   Rub the spice mixture all over the pork belly, ensuring it is evenly coated.
5. 5.
   Place the pork belly on a baking tray and roast in the preheated oven for 2 hours, or until the skin is crispy and golden.
6. 6.
   While the pork belly is roasting, prepare the spicy tomato sauce. Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
7. 7.
   Add the onion, garlic, and red chili to the saucepan and sauté until the onion is translucent.
8. 8.
   Add the diced tomatoes to the saucepan and cook until they soften and release their juices.
9. 9.
   Using a blender or immersion blender, puree the tomato mixture until smooth.
10. 10.
    Return the sauce to the saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
11. 11.
    Once the pork belly is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
12. 12.
    Slice the pork belly into thick strips and serve with the spicy tomato sauce.
13. 13.
    Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork belly — Make sure to score the skin of the pork belly to allow the fat to render and the skin to become crispy during cooking.
• Kenyan spices — Adjust the amount of spices according to your preference for spiciness. You can increase or decrease the chili powder to suit your taste.
• Spicy tomato sauce — If you prefer a milder sauce, remove the seeds from the red chili before adding it to the saucepan.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra crispy skin, you can place the pork belly under the broiler for a few minutes after roasting.
• Serve the dish with a side of Kenyan-style collard greens for a complete meal.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of chili powder in the spice rub.
• Make sure to let the pork belly rest before slicing to ensure the juices redistribute and the meat remains tender.
• The spicy tomato sauce can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Crispy Pork Belly with Spicy Tomato Sauce as a main course, accompanied by steamed rice or Kenyan-style ugali. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves for added freshness and color.

Presentation advice

Arrange the sliced pork belly on a platter and drizzle the spicy tomato sauce over the top. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh coriander leaves for an attractive presentation.