Pork Hamonado
Filipino Recipe

Pork Hamonado
Filipino Recipe

Holiday celebrations in the Philippines, like Christmas and New Year, are not complete without any pork dish. Of course, topping the list is the Lechon (roasted pig). Just as hams are popular in the West during the holidays, we cannot be far behind with our version which is called Pork Hamonado.

This dish is prepared like a typical ham but it is not as salty. It is sweetened in pineapple juice and glazed with pineapple chunks, so this is where it differs. I guess we Filipinos have an innate sweet tooth because we have created sweet dishes with our meats like Sweet and Sour Pork and Fish and this Pork Hamonado.

To extract and enhance its flavor, the meat is cured for several hours. It might sound like it is too time consuming, but the end product is really worth the long cooking process. The process might look too complex but it is actually quite simple. It only involves three stages: the curing or marinating, frying and simmering. Some people simply bake the meat in the juice while others stuff it and roll it like a log before cutting it in serving slices. Whichever way it is done, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy your palate and you will be reaching out for more.

So in your next big celebration, try this Pork Hamonado Recipe and it really is worth the wait.

Preparation Time:   depends on marination time
Cooking Time:   25 mins
Yield:   6-8 servings

Ingredients:
2 lbs pork tenderloin or butt
1 can (8 oz) pineapple chunks
2 cups pineapple juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp calamansi juice
3 tbsp soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste
cooking oil

Cooking Directions:
1.   In a large mixing bowl, combine the calamansi juice, pineapple juice, sugar, soy sauce, salt and pepper. Add the pork and rub the marinade well in the meat. Make sure that the meat is entirely covered in the mixture. Marinate in the fridge for about 24 hours.
2.   Drain the marinade from the pork and set it aside.
3.   Heat the pan and add the pork. Fry until it turns light brown on all sides.
4.   Add the reserved marinade and the pineapple chunks. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened.
5.   Transfer to a serving plate and slice into serving pieces.
6.   Enjoy!

Pork Hamonado Filipino Recipe

Watch how to make this recipe on our Youtube Channel...