lechon kawali

Lechon Kawali(Perfect Crispy Pork Belly At Home)

Lechon Kawali is one more cluniray experience with pork meat, which takes a special place in Filipino cuisine. I always love the taste of Lechon Kawali from Amber Restaurant or home made as well. Which always brings you back to your childhood when you enjoy this on special occasions.

But now, with Ambers Philippines, you can enjoy this dish whenever you want. The crispy skin tender meat, with different flavors, makes it irresistible. It serves as cubes, which makes it easy to consume.

You can try this recipe at home easily, but carefully follow the instructions that I mention below. It took me many trials to recreate this perfectly at home. But with practice, you nailed it. With following recipe you can make restaurant-style dish right in your kitchen!

Intresting Fact

The name “lechon” is said to have come from the Spanish word “lechona” which means “suckling pig.” This indicates that the first version of this dish is what is locally called lechon de leche.

Price and serving options on Amber’s menu:

Serving SizePrice
8-10 persons₱ 1,080.00

What is Lechon Kawali?

Lechon kawali, also known as lechon de carajay or litsong kawali in Tagalog. Lechon Kawali is a deep-fried pork belly dish. A beautiful golden-brown crust and juicy meat make it a mouthwatering dish.

What Makes Lechon Kawali Tasty?

lechon kawali

Kawali usually refers to a pan that is used for frying pork. This dish is a combination of different cooking processes, which make it finger-licking. Such as

  • Combination of boiling,
  • Air drying,
  • Deep frying

Which ensures you every bite is crispy outside and moist inside. It’s a dish you’ll crave more of every time you taste it.

Recipe for Perfect Lechon Kawali At Home

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ kg pork belly (with or without ribs)
  • 1 medium onion (cut in half)
  • 1 head garlic (halved)
  • 2-3 bay leaves
  • ½ tsp black peppercorns
  • 2 tbsp salt (for rubbing)
  • ½ tsp salt (for boiling)
  • 3 cups oil (for deep frying)
  • Vinegar (for brushing)
  • Water (enough to submerge the pork)
lechon kawali ingredients

Preparation Time : 20 minutes

Cooking Time : Approximatly 60 to 80 minutes

Step-by-Step Guide:

  • The first step in creating the perfect lechon kawali is boiling the pork belly to ensure it is tender and full of flavor.
  •  For this purpose, take a large pot and add the pork belly, onion, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt.
  •  Fill the pot with enough water that the pork belly dips completely.
  •  After boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until the pork is tender.
  • Meat should be tender but not falling apart.
  • Once boiling is done, dish out the pork belly from the pot.
  •  Place it on a rack to cool.
  • Dry it with paper towels to remove excess water.
  •  Use a fork to score the skin.
  • Making small punctures without going too deep into the meat.
  • Completely Rub the pork belly with salt.
  • Brush the skin with vinegar for crispiness.
  • After completing all processes, Keep the pork belly in the refrigerator uncovered for air-dry.
  • At least 3 hours or overnight is better.
  • Follow these steps for extra crispy during frying.
  • Heat oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C). 
  • There’s enough oil to dip the pork belly fully.
  •  Carefully put the pork belly into the hot oil.
  •  Fry until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
  •  This may take about 10-15 minutes.
  • Remove the pork belly from oil and place on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Dipping Sauce

Lechon sauce, also known as “sarsa,” is a traditional Filipino condiment. This recipe isn’t complete without the perfect dipping sauce! Try this in Filipino style.

Lechon Sauce

  • 1 ¼ cup pork or chicken liver
  • ¾ cup vinegar
  • 2 ½ cups water
  • ⅔ cup brown sugar
  • ⅔ cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • ½ cup minced onion
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
Lechon Sauce

Fry the garlic and onions in a little oil. Add the liver, vinegar, and water to the onion-garlic paste. Boil it, and then add the brown sugar. Cook for a few more minutes. Then, add the breadcrumbs and season with salt and paper. Blend it for smooth gravy and serve.

Serve:

Cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces.Dish out and pour the gravy top or aside of lichon kawali.

You can serve Lechon Kawali with many other Filipino dishes!

Crispy Sisig
Lechon Paksiw
Pancit Palabok topping

Tips & Tricks

  1. To avoid oil splatters, ensure the pork belly is thoroughly dry before frying.
  2.  A splatter screen can also help prevent burns.
  3.  Always use a deep pot for frying to prevent dangerous oil splashes.
  4. You can experiment with flavors like paprika, garlic powder chili flakes.
  5. Once the pork belly is fried, keep it aside few minutes, then cut it into pieces.

Storage and Leftovers

  • Lechon Kawali is best enjoyed fresh. But if you have leftovers, store them uncovered. 
  • Refrigerate boiled pork belly for up to 3 days.
  • You can freeze boiled pork for up to 3 months before frying.
  •  To enjoy the leftovers, you can refry the pieces.
lechon kawali

Nutritional Information

  • Calories: 1250-1400 kcal
  • Protein: 40-50g
  • Fat: 110-125g
  • Carbs: 5-7g
  • Fiber: 0-1g
  • Sugar: 2-3g
  • Sodium: 2000-2300mg

Disclaimer

All nutritional values I describe may vary because of different ways of cooking. Also, ingredients used by anyone can change their values. So it’s just esteemed values not considered confirmed.

FAQ

A: It’s because of moisture in pork bally. Must dried and air-dried in the refrigerator before frying. Proper drying is key to achieving crispy skin.

A: Yes, boiling tenderizes the meat and helps infuse it with flavor.

A: Pork belly is the best cut, but pork shoulder is also a second option.

A: The dish itself is gluten-free. But ensure that the dipping sauces and seasonings you are using are gluten-free.

Conclusion

Here, you know all the steps to make the perfect Lechon Kawali at home! Follow also tips for more accuracy.It’s best when you cook at home, but ambers also give you the best healthy food with its full crunch. So you have the option to enjoy at home with the above recipe as well as at Ambers. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy every delicious bite!

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