**Pork Masas: The Cuban Meal with Rich History and Diverse Evolution**
Pork masas, also known as masas de puerco fritas in Spanish, is a traditional Cuban dish that has become a staple in Cuban cuisine. It consists of tender and juicy pork chunks marinated in a flavorful blend of spices and herbs, dredged in seasoned flour, and then fried until golden brown. The result is a crispy outer layer with a moist and succulent interior that pairs perfectly with various side dishes. Masas de puerco fritas is often served with congrí (Cuban rice and beans), tostones (fried green plantains), or yuca con mojo (boiled cassava with garlic sauce). It's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as part of a larger spread.
**Recipe Variations:**
1. **Classic Cuban Masas de Puerco:** This recipe stays true to the traditional method of preparing pork masas. The pork is marinated in a blend of garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper, then dredged in seasoned flour and fried until golden brown.
2. **Masas de Puerco con Mojo:** This variation adds a flavorful mojo sauce to the mix. The marinade includes garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and sour orange juice, giving the pork a tangy and citrusy flavor. The mojo sauce is also served on top of the fried pork, adding an extra layer of flavor.
3. **Masas de Puerco con Papas Fritas:** This recipe combines the classic pork masas with a side of crispy fried potatoes. The potatoes are seasoned with salt and pepper and fried until golden brown. They are served alongside the pork masas, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.
FRIED PORK (MASAS DE PUERCO FRITAS)
Make and share this Fried Pork (Masas de Puerco Fritas) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by LikeItLoveIt
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 4h
Yield 5 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cut pork into 2 inch chunks and remove excess fat and skin from pork.
- Combine spices,garlic,onion,green pepper,and olive oil.
- Pour over pork chunks and set aside for 2 hours or over night.
- Deep fry pork until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
FRIED PORK CHUNKS (MASITAS DE PUERCO FRITAS)
Make and share this Fried Pork Chunks (Masitas De Puerco Fritas) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Manami
Categories Pork
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Sprinkle the meat liberally with salt and pepper. I.
- In a mortar, crush the garlic into a paste and rub the pork with the garlic paste.
- Place the pork in a nonreactive bowl and pour over the orange juice.
- Cover and refrigerate 2 to 3 hours.
- Drain the pork cubes.
- In a large saucepan, over medium heat, heat 2 inches of oil until very hot but not smoking, then add the pork cubes, without crowding them, raise the heat to high, and brown the cubes, turning with a slotted spoon. (The pork will release some moisture, lowering the oil temperature considerably.)
- When oil temperature rises again, lower the heat a little and cook the cubes, turning frequently, until they are a rich, golden brown, another 10 minutes.
- Occasionally turn up the heat when necessary to crisp the cubes.
- As the cubes are finished, transfer them to a paper-towel-lined platter to drain; keep warm in a 200ºF oven until all the cubes are fried. (Placing the chunks in oven will make them nice and crispy).
- Serve immediately, with Moros y Cristianos (Black Beans and Rice) and Mojo Criollo (Creole Garlic Sauce).
CHICHARRONES (PORK CRACKLIN'S)
These pan-fried pork cracklin's are flavored with bay leaves and get a squeeze of lime juice when they are hot out of the pan.
Provided by Virgilio Martinez
Time 2h10m
Yield Serves 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Rub the pork belly with the salt and let sit for 1 hour.
- Rinse well under cold water, pat dry, and cut into roughly 2x½" (5x1.5-cm) chunks.
- In a heavy pan, melt the lard over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and bay leaves. Stir well for 2 minutes, then add the pork belly. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 45 minutes, turning the meat every 15 minutes.
- Increase the heat and sear every side of the pork pieces over high heat for a further 15 minutes. Remove the pork and cut it into smaller chunks. Serve hot with lime wedges.
MASAS DE PUERCO (CUBAN FRIED PORK)
This recipe is from the restaurant, Havana Rumba. It is important to cut away as much of the exterior fat as possible before cooking. The shoulder is well marbled and will have enough fat in it to keep it moist during the cooking. The meat will shrink somewhat in the braising.
Provided by SkinnyMinnie
Categories Pork
Time 1h50m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cut the pork shoulder into 2-inch cubes, removing and discarding as much of the fat as possible.
- In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmery.
- Add the pork pieces, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and sauté until nicely golden brown.
- Add the oregano, cumin and minced garlic and sauté about 3 more min, stirring.
- Add the orange juice and beer. The liquid should almost cover the pork. Add more juice if needed.
- Reduce the heat to simmer, cover and let cook until pork is very tender, about 1 hour or so.
- Drain the meat well, and set aside to cool.
- When ready to serve, heat the vegetable oil to 350ºF.
- Add the cooked pork pieces in batches, and deep fry until brown and crisp on the outside.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 728.1, Fat 55.4, SaturatedFat 17.1, Cholesterol 161.2, Sodium 160, Carbohydrate 12.7, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 7, Protein 39.2
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of pork: For this recipe, pork shoulder is the best choice as it is flavorful and tender when cooked slowly.
- Marinate the pork: Marinating the pork in a mixture of spices, herbs, and citrus juice helps to tenderize and flavor the meat.
- Use a light touch when breading the pork: The breading should be thin and evenly coated to ensure that the pork cooks evenly.
- Fry the pork in hot oil: This helps to create a crispy outer layer and juicy interior.
- Drain the pork on paper towels: This helps to remove excess oil from the pork.
- Serve the pork with your favorite dipping sauce: Some popular choices include mojo sauce, tomato sauce, or a simple mixture of lemon juice and olive oil.
Conclusion:
Masas de Puerco Fritas is a delicious and flavorful dish that is relatively easy to make. By following these tips, you can create a perfect batch of crispy, juicy pork that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. This dish is a great way to enjoy pork and is perfect for a casual meal or a special occasion. It is also a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides, such as rice, beans, or vegetables.
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