Steaming Embutido: How Long Should You Cook It?

Embutido is a Filipino-style meatloaf, often served at parties, special occasions, or as a weekday treat. The dish is usually made with ground pork, vegetables, cheese, raisins, and seasonings. It is typically wrapped in foil and steamed for around an hour, though some recipes suggest baking it in the oven as an alternative. After steaming, embutido can be served warm or cold, and is often paired with rice, ketchup, or sweet and spicy sauce.

How to prepare embutido for steaming

Embutido is a type of Filipino meatloaf. It is made from ground pork, vegetables, cheese, raisins, and seasonings. The process of making embutido is quite simple and can be prepared in a few easy steps. Here is a guide on how to prepare embutido for steaming:

Gather the Ingredients

Firstly, gather all the necessary ingredients. The primary ingredient is ground pork, which serves as the base of the dish. You can also use other types of ground meat, such as chicken or beef, if you prefer. Additionally, you will need various vegetables, such as carrots, onions, and bell peppers. Cheese, raisins, and seasonings like salt and pepper are also essential components. Breadcrumbs and eggs act as binders, helping to hold all the ingredients together.

Prepare the Embutido Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the ground pork with the vegetables, cheese, raisins, and seasonings. Mix everything together until well blended. You can use your hands or a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step. Remember to add the breadcrumbs and eggs last, as they help bind all the ingredients.

Wrap the Mixture in Foil

Lay a sheet of aluminum foil on a flat surface, with the shiny side facing down. Scoop about 1 cup of the embutido mixture onto the foil and mould it into a cylinder. Roll the foil downwards and secure both ends by twisting them in opposite directions until the mixture is tightly packed. Repeat this process until you have used up all the embutido mixture.

Set Up the Steamer

Fill a pot with water and place it on the stove. Let the water come to a boil. While you are waiting for the water to boil, arrange the wrapped embutido in a steamer. You can use any type of steamer, such as a bamboo steamer or an electric steamer. Just make sure that your steamer is large enough to fit the embutido rolls without crowding them too much.

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the steamer on top of the pot. Ensure that the steamer is secure and will not tip over. Now, you are ready to begin the steaming process.

Steam the Embutido

Place the steamer with the wrapped embutido over the boiling water. Steam the embutido for about 40 to 60 minutes. The exact steaming time may vary depending on the size of your embutido and the type of steamer you are using. If you are using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature of the embutido should reach 75°C (165°F) when it is fully cooked.

After steaming, remove the embutido from the steamer and let it cool down. It is recommended to refrigerate the embutido for at least 2 to 3 hours before slicing and serving. This will help the embutido firm up and make it easier to slice.

Serving Suggestions

Embutido can be served warm or cold and is often paired with rice or mashed potatoes. It can also be fried after steaming, creating a delicious crispy exterior. For an authentic Filipino experience, serve embutido with banana ketchup or a mixture of tomato ketchup and mayonnaise.

How to steam embutido

Embutido is a Filipino-style meatloaf, often served at parties and special occasions. It is made with ground pork, vegetables, cheese, raisins, and seasonings. The process of steaming embutido is straightforward and involves the following steps:

Preparation

Firstly, prepare the embutido mixture. The ingredients typically include ground pork, raisins, cheese, bell pepper, sweet pickle relish, carrot, onion, salt, pepper, and liquid seasoning. You can also add eggs and breadcrumbs to bind the mixture together. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. You can use your hands or a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.

Wrapping

Next, wrap the ground pork mixture in aluminum foil sheets. Lay a foil sheet flat on a table with the shiny side facing down. Scoop about 1 cup of the embutido mixture and place it in the center of the foil. Mold the mixture into a cylinder, about 6 inches long. Roll the foil downwards and secure both ends by twisting them in opposite directions until the mixture is secure. Repeat this process until all the embutido mixture is used up.

Steaming

Now it's time to steam the embutido. Pour water into a pot and bring it to a boil. Arrange the wrapped embutido in a steamer, such as a bamboo steamer or any other type of steamer you have. Place the steamer over the pot of boiling water and steam for about 1 hour.

Cooling and Serving

After steaming, let the embutido cool down. Refrigerating it for at least 3 hours is recommended for the best results. Finally, slice the embutido and serve it as a main dish with rice or mashed potatoes. You can also eat it on its own or as a sandwich with mayonnaise and cheese.

Tips

• You can stack the embutido logs in the steamer, but be sure to change their placement halfway through for even cooking.
• You can also bake or fry embutido after steaming.
• Embutido can be served warm or cold and is typically accompanied by ketchup or sweet and spicy sauce.

How to fry embutido after steaming

Frying embutido after steaming is a great way to prepare this Filipino-style meatloaf. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Prepare the Embutido Mixture:

Start by gathering your ingredients. The main ingredient is ground pork, but you can also use other ground meats like chicken or beef. You will also need various vegetables, such as carrots, onions, bell peppers, and sweet pickle relish. Some recipes also include raisins, cheese, eggs, and breadcrumbs.

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix them together until well blended. You can use your hands or a stand mixer to mix everything.

Wrap and Steam the Embutido:

Before steaming, the embutido mixture needs to be wrapped. Cut pieces of aluminum foil, about 8x12 inches each, and lay them flat on a table with the shiny side down. Scoop about 1 cup of the embutido mixture onto the center of each foil sheet. Mold the mixture into a cylinder or log shape, leaving some space at the ends.

Roll the foil downwards and secure both ends by twisting them in opposite directions until the mixture is tightly packed inside. Repeat this process until you have used up all the embutido mixture.

Now, it's time to steam the embutido. Pour water into a pot and bring it to a boil. Arrange the wrapped embutido in a steamer, such as a bamboo steamer or any other type you have. Steam the embutido for about 50-60 minutes or until fully cooked. The center should reach an internal temperature of 160°F to 165°F.

Frying the Embutido:

After steaming, let the embutido cool down. You can even refrigerate it for a few hours to make slicing easier. Once it's cooled, remove the foil and slice the embutido into serving pieces.

To fry the embutido, heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Carefully place the sliced embutido in the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides. You can also air fry the embutido if you prefer. Serve your fried embutido with hot steamed rice and your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup or sweet chili sauce.

Tips and Variations:

• Embutido can be frozen after steaming and stored for up to a month. Thaw it before frying.
• Some people like to broil the embutido in the oven after steaming to give it a charred and crispy exterior.
• You can get creative with the fillings by adding hard-boiled eggs, hotdogs, or different types of cheese to the center of the embutido before rolling and steaming it.

How to serve embutido

Embutido is a Filipino-style meatloaf that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some suggestions on how to serve this delicious dish:

As a Main Course

Embutido can be the star of your meal, served as a main course with a side of steamed rice or mashed potatoes. It is commonly eaten with banana ketchup or sweet chilli sauce for an extra burst of flavour.

Fried Embutido

For a crispy twist, you can fry the embutido after steaming. This adds a wonderful texture to the meatloaf and is a great way to reheat any leftover embutido.

Embutido Sandwich

For a quick and easy meal, embutido sandwiches are a perfect option. Simply place the embutido between slices of bread, such as pandesal, and add some mayonnaise and cheese. It's a tasty and satisfying snack or light meal.

Cold Embutido

Embutido can be enjoyed cold, straight from the fridge. It is a convenient option for a quick bite and can be served with ketchup or sweet and spicy sauces on the side.

Grilled Cheese Embutido Sandwich

For an indulgent treat, try a grilled cheese embutido sandwich. Combine the embutido with some tomato, basil, and melted cheese for a flavourful and comforting snack.

Special Occasions

Embutido is commonly served during special occasions and holidays in the Philippines. It is a festive dish that is perfect for birthday parties, town fiestas, and Noche Buena celebrations.

With Rice or Without

Embutido is versatile and can be enjoyed with or without rice. It is a tasty main course on its own, but you can also pair it with hot steamed rice for a heartier meal.

Breakfast Option

Fried embutido is a great breakfast option, especially if you have leftover steamed embutido from the previous day. It's a protein-packed way to start your morning.

Side Business Idea

If you're feeling entrepreneurial, consider making embutido as a side business. It is a popular dish in the Philippines, and you can sell your homemade version to family, friends, or even locally.

Customise Your Embutido

Remember, embutido is a versatile dish, and you can customise it to your taste. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and cooking methods to make it your own.

Now you have a variety of ways to serve and enjoy embutido. Whether it's a special occasion or a casual meal, this Filipino-style meatloaf is sure to impress and satisfy your taste buds.

How to store embutido

Embutido is a Filipino-style meatloaf that can be served hot or cold. It can be steamed, baked, fried, grilled, or microwaved.

Embutido can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. It is recommended to let the embutido cool down after steaming before slicing and serving. Refrigerating it for at least 3 hours will make slicing easier.

Embutido can be frozen and will last for 1 to 2 months in the freezer. It can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer for future use.

When steaming embutido, it is possible to stack them, but it is recommended to change their placement halfway through for even cooking.

Frequently asked questions