Pork Belly Crackling and Ripe Plantain Rice

Ingredients

• 1 lb Meaty pork crackling (Cut into small pieces; pork belly or meaty pork crackling may be used.)
• 1 cup White rice (Uncooked, rinsed until the water runs almost clear.)
• Vegetable oil (As needed, for cooking and frying the plantain.)
• 1 Ripe plantain (Peeled and cut into cubes or slices.)
• 0.5 cup Onion (Finely chopped.)
• 1 Tomato (Diced into small cubes.)
• 0.5 Bell pepper (Finely chopped.)
• 1 Carrot (Chopped or grated.)
• 2 cloves Garlic (Chopped or crushed.)
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce (Adjust to taste, considering that the pork crackling may already be salty.)
• Salt (To taste.)
• Ground turmeric (To taste; approximately 1/2 tsp is suggested.)
• Paprika (To taste; approximately 1/2 tsp is suggested.)
• Fresh cilantro (Chopped, for finishing.)

Steps

1. 1

   Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs almost clear. Cook it using your usual method, using approximately 2 cups of water per 1 cup of rice, until tender and the grains are separate. Let it rest for a few minutes and set aside.

2. 2

   While the rice cooks, prepare the ingredients: cut the pork crackling into small pieces, peel and cut the plantain, and chop the onion, tomato, bell pepper, carrot, and garlic.

3. 3

   Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pork crackling and brown it until thoroughly cooked, crisp on the outside, and some of its fat has rendered. If necessary, add a little oil to prevent sticking. Remove the excess fat, leaving a small amount in the skillet.

4. 4

   Add the ripe plantain to the skillet and cook until golden on the outside and soft in the center. Remove it and set it aside so it retains its shape.

5. 5

   Add the onion, tomato, bell pepper, carrot, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.

6. 6

   Add the soy sauce, turmeric, and paprika. Stir for approximately 30 seconds so the spices combine with the sofrito.

7. 7

   Add the cooked rice and mix carefully to coat it with the sofrito without crushing the grains. Taste and adjust the salt, remembering that the soy sauce and pork crackling already contribute saltiness.

8. 8

   Return the pork crackling and plantain to the skillet. Stir gently and cook for 2 or 3 more minutes, until everything is hot and the flavors have melded.

9. 9

   Remove from the heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro, and serve immediately.

Notes

The amounts of onion, tomato, bell pepper, carrot, garlic, soy sauce, spices, and cilantro were not specified in the original publication; approximate amounts are included to prepare the dish. Adjust the salt and soy sauce to taste. If the pork crackling is already very browned or salty, avoid adding oil and use little salt.

Nutrition per serving

• main course
• rice
• Colombian
• with pork crackling
• with ripe plantain
• stir-fry
• home cooking
• easy