Description
Crispy Pork Knuckles is a Filipino dish of pork leg cut into smaller sections where it is twice cooked first in a seasoned broth then deep frying it to a very crispy state. Similar to Crispy Pata but in a smaller easier to handle package.
Ingredients
Units Scale
Pork Leg
- 2 kg pork leg, ask your butcher to cut it into 1 1/2 to 2-inch sections
- 6 cups water
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp peppercorn
- 1/3 cup sea salt
- 1 whole garlic, cut across in half
- 2 white onion, cut in half
- 4 pcs bay leaves
Others
- 1/4 cup lye water
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- salt
- 4 cups oil
- dipping sauce, to serve
Instructions
- In a large pot combine all pork leg ingredients, place over stove top over high heat then bring it to a boil. Once it starts to boil turn the heat on low then let it simmer for 1 hour or until meat is cooked but not very tender.
- Remove from the pot, drain thoroughly, place in a wire rack then let it rest for an hour to make sure it is dried out. If you have a dehydrator you can use this for better results, you can also sun dry it for 2 hours.
- Once it is all dried out lightly brush the skin parts with lye water then place it in a large flat platter and place it in the refrigerator uncovered overnight.
Remove pork from the fridge, brush the outer layer with vinegar then rub the surface with salt. Let it rest for an hour and once ready remove excess salt from the skin by wiping it with kitchen towel. - Prepare a deep fryer or a wok, fill it with oil then heat to 180C. Gently add the pork and cover your wok or deep fryer with a splatter screen, using a cover will just circulate the water and it will splatter vigorously, let the steam escape. Fry pork until golden brown and crispy, this will take around 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove from wok, set it aside then let it drain and rest for 5 minutes before serving.