Ella Walter
Lechon kawali is a Filipino dish that consists of a deep-fried or pan-fried pork belly with crispy skin. The term lechon refers to a roasted whole pig traditionally prepared for festive occasions, while kawali translates to pan or skillet. This dish can be made in an air fryer in a few simple steps. The pork belly is first boiled or simmered with seasonings, and then placed in the air fryer for 25-40 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. The result is a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version, with less oil and fewer calories and fat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking Method | Boiling, then air frying |
| Boiling Time | 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| Air Frying Temperature | 350°F (175°C) to 400°F (200°C) |
| Air Frying Time | 25-40 minutes |
| Air Frying Time (with specific steps) | Skin side up for 7 minutes, then 5 minutes on each side, and finally skin side up again for 10-12 minutes |
| Air Frying Time (with specific steps) | Skin side up for 30 minutes, then brush with vinegar for the last 10 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Boiling the pork belly
To boil the pork belly, start by placing the slab of meat in a large pot or deep pot, skin side up. Add enough water to cover the meat, and bring it to a gentle boil. You can also add basic spices and aromatics such as salt, garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, and red onions to the water for added flavour. Once the water reaches a rigorous boil, reduce the heat to medium and continue to boil for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the pork is fork-tender. Be sure to add more water halfway through if needed.
Some recipes suggest simmering the pork belly for 1 to 1.5 hours instead of a continuous rolling boil. This slower method allows the meat to absorb more of the flavour from the seasoned water, resulting in tender meat that doesn't require additional salt afterward.
After boiling, remove the pork belly from the pot and place it on a wire rack with a baking sheet underneath. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes before transferring it to an airtight container lined with paper towels. Refrigerate the pork belly overnight to chill before frying, which some say helps achieve a crispier texture.
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Air-frying temperature and duration
Air-frying lechon kawali is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it uses less oil or none at all. This method yields a crispy texture without the mess and is also safer, as there are no hot oil splatters or accidental burns.
Before air-frying, the pork belly slab must be boiled or simmered with seasonings. This step helps remove excess fat from the meat, ensuring it remains tender and juicy. The pork should be boiled for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until fork-tender. It can then be refrigerated overnight.
The air fryer should be pre-heated to 400°F (200-205°C). The boiled pork belly slab is then placed in the air fryer, skin side up, and cooked for 25-40 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the pork belly, so it is important to adjust the duration as needed. During the cooking process, the pork belly should be turned on its side to ensure even browning.
To achieve super crispy skin, the pork belly can be covered with a layer of rock salt or coarse salt before air-frying. The salt draws out moisture from the skin, helping it to bubble and pop. However, it is important to wipe off the excess salt after cooking.
Overall, the total cooking time for lechon kawali in an air fryer can range from 30 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes, depending on the preparation and cooking method.
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Turning the pork belly
To achieve this, the pork belly is initially roasted with the skin side up for seven minutes to remove moisture from the skin. This makes it easier to turn it into crackling later. The belly is then turned onto one side and cooked for five minutes. It is then turned onto its other side and cooked for another five minutes. After this, the pork belly is repositioned with the skin side up and cooked for another ten to twelve minutes. It is during the last stage that the skin puffs up beautifully. You can tap it and hear how crisp it is.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the pork belly. Therefore, it is recommended to adjust the cooking duration accordingly. Additionally, the heat should be lowered after bringing the water to a boil to simmer the pork belly gently. This will help ensure that the meat stays tender but does not fall apart.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the air fryer's temperature should be set to 400°F (200-205°C) for this recipe. The higher temperature helps to create the crispy texture of the pork belly. The air fryer's ability to circulate hot air effectively also contributes to the even cooking of the pork belly, eliminating the need for constant monitoring, unlike traditional deep frying methods.
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Crisping the pork skin
To achieve the perfect crispy pork skin for your Lechon Kawali, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, it is recommended to pre-boil the pork belly with seasonings to add flavour and ensure the meat is tender. This can be done by placing the pork belly, along with aromatics such as garlic, onion, black pepper, bay leaf, and salt, in a pot of water and boiling for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Once the pork is tender, it is important to dry the skin thoroughly. This can be done by chilling the pork in the refrigerator or by using paper towels. Removing moisture from the skin is crucial for achieving a crispy texture during frying. After drying, you can make vertical slits around the edges of the pork belly's skin to prevent curling and ensure it lays flat in the air fryer.
Before placing the pork in the air fryer, it is recommended to rub the skin with vinegar. Vinegar helps to tighten the skin and contributes to a crispier texture. You can also coat the skin with salt, as this will draw out moisture and create a bubbly, crispy texture during frying.
Now, you are ready to air fry! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200-205°C). Place the pork belly in the air fryer, skin side up, and let it cook for about 7 minutes to further dry out the skin. Then, turn the pork belly on its side and cook for 5 minutes on each side. Finally, turn the pork belly skin side up again and cook for an additional 10 to 12 minutes. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your pork belly, so adjust accordingly.
During the last stage of cooking, you will hear and feel the skin puffing up and becoming crispy. Once the skin is golden brown and blistered, your Lechon Kawali is ready! Remove it from the air fryer, let it rest for a few minutes, and then cut it into bite-sized pieces. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce, such as spiced vinegar or Mang Tomas lechon sauce, and enjoy the perfect combination of crispy skin and juicy meat.
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Serving suggestions
Lechon Kawali is a classic Filipino dish consisting of deep-fried pork belly with crispy skin. The dish can be cooked in an air fryer, oven, or by traditional deep-frying. The air fryer method is healthier, easier, and less greasy than the other methods.
Lechon Kawali is best served sliced into bite-sized pieces. It can be served as an appetiser with a dipping sauce, or as a main course with steamed rice and vegetables.
The traditional way of serving Lechon Kawali is with sweet liver lechon sauce, also known as Mang Tomas sauce, on the side. This sauce is made with seasoned and pureed pork liver plus other ingredients and spices. It is commonly served with rice, which can be plain or garlic rice.
Other popular dips and sauces include:
- Spiced vinegar, made by combining cane vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and chillies
- Soy sauce, vinegar, and raw onion dip
- Soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper
- Ketchup or sweet chilli sauce
Lechon Kawali can be served with vegetables such as roasted cabbage steaks or sautéed green beans. It can also be served with lo mein noodles.
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Frequently asked questions
The pork belly should be boiled for 45 minutes to 1 hour. However, some recipes suggest boiling for 1 to 1.5 hours.
The air fryer should be set to 400°F (200°C or 205°C).
It takes 25-40 minutes to cook Lechon Kawali in an air fryer.
Lechon Kawali is best served with Mang Tomas lechon sauce (a sweet and tangy Filipino sauce) or spiced vinegar with a side of hot rice.
