Pork Guisantes

I have a weakness for the kitchen; it is unquestionably my favorite space in the house. Fortunately, I enjoy eating as well—after all, who doesn’t? While dining at fine restaurants and stopping by your favorite fast food joint to grab that mouthwatering burger with lots of cheese are both enjoyable, there’s something about having a home-cooked meal that generally makes everything better.

A very simple Filipino dish is pork Guisantes, sometimes known as pork with peas, and it’s even simpler the way I cook it.  When I first learned how to prepare it, I would use canned tomato sauce, but after a while, my daughter informed me she preferred it a bit more dry. I then heard from chatting to some of my friends that they use tomato paste to prevent the tomato sauce from coming out too soupy. This is much better for my entire family. In actuality, using it is less expensive and easier than using numerous cans of tomato sauce.  I still make this occasionally, and it always turns out beautifully.

PORK GUISANTES

Ingredients

2 lbs. chopped pork ie. pork belly, pork butt

½ onion, diced

2-3 bay leaves

2 tbsp. garlic, minced

2 tbsp. Tomato paste

1 tbsp. Soy sauce

½ cup water

1 cup pimientos, sliced or diced ( I just use 1 small jar)

3 cups frozen peas (I just use 1 small bag from Target or Walmart)

oil

salt and pepper

Instructions

Cooking oil is added to a heated pan. Sauté the garlic and onion for one minute, or until golden.  Stir in the pork chunks. Cook over a medium flame until pork is light brown. Add the bay leaf, soy sauce, and ground pepper. Cook, stirring, for a few minutes. 

Add tomato paste after the meat is completely soft. Add water and cover the pan. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until meat is soft. Add extra water as necessary.  Test to see if more salt is needed and add appropriately.

It’s quite easy to make and takes only 15 to 20 minutes.

Make sure to try this dish. Stir this up and distribute it to loved ones! To use later, pin or save this recipe. For potlucks or parties, this meal works well as well. Excellent on its own or eaten with steamed rice. In place of pork, you may also use beef or chicken to prepare this dish.