Afritada (Filipino Pork and Chicken Stew)

Spain occupied the Philippines for over 400 years.  Not surprising then to find foods with a lot of Spanish influence.  Afritada reflects that Spanish influence.  This can be made with just chicken or just pork.  We love the combination at my house since it covers everybody.  My husband loves the pork and my mother loves the chicken. So, you can't go wrong.  I made some changes to make it easier. 

Ingredients:

1lb of chicken parts (breast, thighs, wings, etc.)
1lb pork shoulder or butt (cut into chunks)
4 potatoes (cut into chunks)
1 large onion (chopped)
1 cup chicken stock
1-2 bay leaves (1 large or 2 small)
4 carrots (peeled and cut into chunks)
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 green bell pepper (cut into bite size chunks)
1 red bell pepper (cut into bite size chunks)
1 20oz can of tomatoes (roughly chopped in food processor)
1 20oz can of stewed tomatoes (roughly chopped in food processor)
1/4 cup canola or olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 small can of garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed) - optional

In a food processor, roughly chop the canned tomatoes.  Process until you get the texture you want.  Short pulses for some chunks, or longer processing if you want more of a puree.  Do the same with the stewed tomatoes.

In a large pot or dutch oven, heat an 1/8 cup of the oil in high heat.  Add the pork chunks and lightly brown for approximately 3 minutes.  Remove from pan and set aside.  Do the same with the chicken, and add that the pork.  In the same pot, add the rest of the oil and the potatoes.  Cook the potatoes for approximately 4 minutes until some of the sides have browned.  Remove the potatoes and set aside.  Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the chopped onions and the bay leaf to the hot oil in the pot. Cook the onions until they are translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes and stewed tomatoes.  Continue cooking stirring constantly until tomatoes are heated through.  Add the pork, chicken and potatoes back into the pot.  Continue stirring until all the meat and potatoes are well coated with the tomatoe/onion mixture.  Add the carrots, peas and the chicken broth; continue stirring.  Cover and reduce to medium heat and keep at a low boil.  Keep covered and cook until chicken, pork and potatoes are tender, continue stirring to ensure that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan and burn; this should take approximately 30 minutes.  Season with salt and lots of pepper.  Add the both the red and green bell peppers. If using garbanzo beans add that at this time.  Continue cooking for another 10 minutes to allow peppers to cook but still have a crunch.  Taste for seasoning.  Add salt and pepper if necessary.  Serve hot over steamed rice.

Kashmiri Style Chops

The cooking method to this is pretty interesting...so I had to try. It came out really great! I paired it up with the wild rice and mushroom pilaf and it was dinner. So simple.  I know it sounds very different, but I recommend it, you will not be disappointed.

Ingredients:
6 pork chops or lamb chops
1 piece cinnamon bark
1 bay leaf
1 tsp fennel seed
1/2 tsp peppercorns
4 green cardamon pods (pierced)
3 1/2 cups of milk (use whole)
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp flour
1 1/2 tsp chilli powder
1 1/2 tsp of ginger pullp
1 tsp garlic pulp
1 tsp garam masala
salt and pepper
enough oil to fry chops

In a large sauce pan, place chops with milk, cinnamon bark, bay leaf, fennel seeds, peppercorns, cardamom pods, and salt. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and continue to cook for another 15 minutes or until chops are cooked through.

In a bowl, mix yogurt, flour, chilli powder, ginger pulp, garlic pulp, garam masala, salt and pepper. Mix until well blended.  Remove the chops from the milk and coat with the spicy yogurt mixture.

Heat oil in a frying pan. Make sure oil is not smoking or very hot. Use medium to low heat. Add the chops, fry until one side is golden brown, turn them over and brown the other side. When done, transfer to a serving dish and serve with lime quarter and your favorite rice.

NOTE: To make it spicier, just increase the chilli powder, garlic and ginger pulp, and garam masala in the spicy yogurt mixture to suit your taste.

Cuban Style Pork Chops

This is absolutely incredible! The flavors feel like you are in the Carribean or at least Florida.  I served it with the Cilantro Lime Rice and what a combination.  Again, quick and easy.  You can grill it outside or in the broiler of your oven.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup orange juice (fresh squeeze if possible)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
2 tbsp dried oregano
6 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 cup olive oil
4 boneless pork chops or pork loin (aprox 6-8 oz each)
8 slices of swiss cheese
4 thick slices of cooked ham
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbs of chopped cilantro

Set broiler to low in oven.  If grilling outside, heat grill on high then reduce to medium when hot.

Combine 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1tbs oregano, garlic, cumin and 1/4 cup olive oil; mix until marinade is well combined. Slice each pork chop or pork loin in half through the sides to create 4 additional chops; these need to be thin (if not, pound with a meat mallet).  In a large dish, add the pork and marinade; allow to marinate for 1 to 2 hours.

Remove pork from the marinade and place on a flat surface. Place a slice of cheese, then ham, then another slice of cheese; cover with another pork slice. Do the same with the others until you have created all four bundles. Season with salt and pepper. 

Place pork chops on the grill and cook until golden brown (approx. 3 to 4 minutes). Flip the pork chops and continue to cook until the flip side turns a golden brown and the cheese melts (approx. 2 to 3 minutes). Remove from the grill or oven.

Combine the remaining orange juice, lime juice, oregano, cilantro and olive oil; whisk until well combined. Spoon over pork chops and serve with cilantro lime rice, jasmine or basmati rice.