Pork Afritada

Pork Afritada is simply “Stewed pork in tomato sauce“. This dish is similar to Menudo and Kaldereta (or Caldereta) and is usually cooked with wedges of carrots and potatoes. Bay leaves are also added for extra flavor and aroma.
Because of the similarity of Afritada to other tomato based dishes, identifying this dish is quite confusing to some. I was asked by some people (who are still puzzled on this topic) to differentiate one from the other. I felt like standing in their shoes for a while. After some time pondering, I figured out that the visual difference can obviously be seen on the cut of the meat and the additional ingredients used. As for the taste, each dish is unique even if the base ingredients are similar. I guess changing the cut of the meat and adding a few more ingredients to it gives me the right to call it “Pork Vanjito” (just kidding).
Some Pinoy Foods might look the same but inside them lays a truly unique taste capable of spelling their own name.

Try this appetizing Pork Afritada from Panlasang Pinoy.

Ingredients:
2 lbs pork, chopped
1 big potato, cut into wedges
1 big carrot, cut into wedges
3 pieces dried bay leaves
2 cups tomato sauce
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 ½ cups beef or pork broth
1 cup bell pepper, diced
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 cup onion, chopped
2 tbsp cooking oil
salt to taste

Cooking Procedure:
1. Heat the cooking oil in a pan and sauté the garlic and onions
2. Add the pork and sauté until the outer parts are cooked (approximately 5 minutes)
3. Add the bay leaves and tomato sauce then simmer for 5 minutes
4. Add the ground black pepper then pour-in the broth and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes (or until the meat is tender)
5. Put-in the potato and carrots then simmer for 5 to 7 minutes
6. Add the bell pepper and simmer for 3 another minutes
7. Add salt to taste
8. Serve hot. Share and enjoy!