Pork Tocino is a favorite childhood dish that’s on my list of ultimate favorite Filipino dishes. In the Philippines, tocino is easy to come by, of course. The best I’ve tasted was from Project 8 Quezon City. I don’t think that’s where Tocino really came from but that’s the last place I remember eating the best tocino in my life. Here in the US, I used to make it with the Mama Sita’s tocino Mix. I’ve accepted my sad fate of not tasting homemade tocino ever again until I visit the Philippines. Then one fine day in July of 2005, my fellow Cali Girl/NC Transplant/Foodblogger Friend Jeanette posted her recipe for homemade tocino. My life became complete since then.
Yes, I’m exaggerating. I tend to do that with food. So Beh 
.
Unfortunately for Mama Sita, I’ve broken up with her tocino mix. It’s going on 6 years now so I’m pretty sure the packet mix has moved on. Although, it would probably go on depression once it finds out that I’m posting Jeanette’s recipe here today so you can make homemade tocino yourself too. It’s so easy that you’d probably make this every week.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 1/2 cup brown sugar (or less or more, depends on your taste)
3 tbsp salt
1 tbsp garlic powder
generous sprinkling of black pepper
1/2 cup of water
2-3 pounds of pork boston butt, sliced in thin cutlets (don’t take the fat off)
1 large onion, sliced in rings (optional)
Combine ingredients 1 to 6 in a bowl. Stir everything together. Add the pork slices and onion rings to marinate. Cover the bowl to marinate for 2-3 hours, overnight or 5 days in the fridge. To tell you the truth, I’ve never marinated for 5 days. It’s so hard to wait that long. For better flavoring, 5-day process is good. But if you’re impatient and hungry like me, at least try for 2 hours.
When ready to cook, set aside the onions then put the marinated pork in a non-stick pan with the water.
Cover the pan. Let this steam in medium heat until the liquid reduces. Stir occasionally so the whole thing doesn’t burn.
YUM YUM YUM. Just continue to steam with the cover on.
The liquid starts to bubble/caramelize/thicken….
Add the onions, stir gently to incorporate into the mix. Cook for a few more minutes. This is an optional garnish. You don’t need to add onions if you don’t want to. I just wanted a twist coz I like to twist things……… Nevermind…..
VOILA, homemade pork tocino with onions.
Served with rice, and mixed corn and green beans on the side. This is also good with pico de gallo on the side. You can make this with boneless chicken breasts too but I’ve never tried that coz I’m a porker. I’m loyal to the pig. I can eat Babe everyday. You get the point? Now go make your own homemade pork tocino and say goodbye to the Mama Sita’s mix.
As always, Thank You JMOM!
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| Homemade Pork Tocino W/ Onions |
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1 1/2 cup brown sugar (or less or more, depends on your taste)
- 3 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- generous sprinkling of black pepper
- 1/2 cup of water
- 2-3 pounds of pork boston butt, sliced in thin cutlets (don’t take the fat off)
- 1 large onion, sliced in rings (optional)
- Combine ingredients 1 to 6 in a bowl. Stir everything together. Add the pork slices and onion rings to marinate. Cover the bowl to marinate for 2-3 hours, overnight or 5 days in the fridge.
- When ready to cook, set aside the onions then put the marinated pork in a non-stick pan with the water.
- Cover the pan. Let this steam in medium heat until the liquid reduces. Stir occasionally so the whole thing doesn’t burn.
- Once the liquid starts to bubble/caramelize/thicken, Add the onions, stir gently to incorporate into the mix. Cook for a few more minutes.
The onion rings are an optional garnish. You don’t need to add onions if you don’t want to. But try it sometime for an added twist.
oh yummy! your photo looks so good! I do that too, not wait for the whole marinating time, I mean
I just put a bit more of the marinade while it’s cooking, and it comes out just as good.
Lately, I have been letting them marinade in the freezer just because I don’t have enough room in the fridge. I put them in freezer bags and stick them in the freezer, ready for when the craving hits.
@JMOM, I should really freeze some of these for future cooking to save me time. But every time I make it, I just can’t help myself. I have to cook and eat it on that day..
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dexie Jane, FilipinasInShowbiz. FilipinasInShowbiz said: Craving for homemade pork tocino, again http://feistycook.com/WP/2010/12/02/homemade-pork-tocino-w-onions/ [...]