Food enthusiasts and home cooks across the Philippines have a new reason to celebrate as a detailed recipe for the beloved Hamonado sa Rizal gains attention. This classic Filipino dish, known for its perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, offers a comforting and hearty meal perfect for family gatherings.
The Essential Ingredients for Authentic Hamonado
The recipe calls for specific components to achieve its signature taste. The protein base is 1 kg of Premium Choice Pork menudo cut, which is marinated in a quarter cup of soy sauce and four pieces of laurel leaves. For the sauté, you will need four cloves of garlic, minced, and one whole onion, chopped.
The sauce is what gives Hamonado its distinctive character. It combines a quarter cup of vinegar, five pieces of hotdog, three cups of pineapple juice, and four tablespoons of sugar. The dish is further enriched with one red bell pepper, a quarter cup of pickled relish, a quarter cup of breadcrumbs, and one tablespoon of fish sauce, seasoned with black pepper and finished with one cup of fresh pineapple chunks.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Begin by marinating the pork cuts in the soy sauce and laurel leaves. Marinating for at least 15 minutes before cooking is recommended, though doing it overnight will yield even more flavorful results.
Heat oil in a pan and sauté the garlic and onion until fragrant. Once ready, add the marinated pork to the pan and stir. When the meat is partially cooked, pour in the vinegar and stir again. As the pork develops color, add the soy sauce, stir, cover the pan, and allow it to come to a boil.
Prepare the hotdogs by slicing them diagonally. For the breadcrumbs, crush hard bread until it forms crumbs and add them to the pan, stirring well. Incorporate the sliced hotdogs and season with fish sauce.
Final Touches and Serving
Remove the top and seeds from the red bell pepper, slice it into cubes, and add it to the pot. Season with black pepper, ensuring you taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Finally, add the fresh pineapple chunks, stir, and let it cook for another 1-2 minutes.
This Hamonado dish is best served with steamed rice or puto. The rich, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce is guaranteed to be a hit, making you want to cook this delicious Filipino ulam again and again.
