Marianne Martinez
Liempo, or pork belly, is a popular Filipino dish characterised by its layers of fat and meat. The traditional way to cook liempo is to grill marinated pork belly over charcoal, but it can also be cooked in an air fryer. The air fryer method is a convenient and mess-free option that produces a crispy exterior and juicy, flavourful meat. The marinade typically includes a combination of soy sauce, calamansi or lemon juice, sprite, garlic, sugar, and various spices. The pork belly strips are then air-fried for 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the recipe and thickness of the meat.
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What You'll Learn
Marinating the pork belly
Firstly, prepare the marinade by combining the ingredients in a large bowl and mixing well. The specific ingredients and their quantities can be adjusted to your taste preferences. However, it is recommended to include a generous amount of soy sauce, garlic, and calamansi or lemon juice for that authentic Filipino flavour. You can also add other ingredients such as sprite, bay leaf, garlic powder, black pepper, and chillies to enhance the flavour profile.
Next, add the pork belly to the marinade, ensuring that each piece is thoroughly coated. It is important to use fresh, high-quality pork belly with an even distribution of fat and meat. The thickness of the pork belly slices should ideally be no more than 1/2 inch to ensure even cooking.
Once the pork belly is coated in the marinade, cover and refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours, or preferably overnight. This extended marination time allows the flavours to fully develop and infuse into the meat. Before placing the pork belly in the refrigerator, ensure that the surface is as dry as possible, as this will help the meat absorb the flavours more effectively. You can pat it dry with a paper towel and even add salt to help draw out any remaining moisture.
After the pork belly has marinated for the desired amount of time, it is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer. However, remember to bring the meat to room temperature for about 30 minutes before placing it in the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
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Preparing the air fryer
Firstly, ensure your marinated pork belly slices are ready. The liempo should be thinly sliced, with a good fat-to-meat ratio, and preferably no thicker than half an inch. If you can, opt for boneless slices. The marinade typically includes a combination of soy sauce, calamansi or lemon juice, garlic, sugar, and various spices. It is best to marinate the meat for at least 30 minutes to a few hours, or even overnight, to allow the flavors to fully develop.
Once your meat is ready, it is important to dry it as much as possible before cooking. Use paper towels to pat the meat dry if there is any remaining moisture. Generously season the meat with salt, which will help draw out moisture and enhance the drying process. You can also add salt during the marination process, as it will draw water from the pork belly without making the dish overly salty.
Before placing the meat in the air fryer, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This step is important to ensure even cooking. Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 350°F and 400°F. If you are using a Philips HD9100 Air Fryer, preheat it to 375°F.
Line your air fryer basket or tray with aluminum foil. Place the marinated pork belly slices in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. If you are using the skin-on variety, it is recommended to keep the skin side up during storage and cooking to maintain dryness.
Now that your air fryer is prepared, you can move on to the cooking process, which involves cooking the liempo at the pre-set temperature for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the desired level of browning and crispness.
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Air-frying the pork belly
Air-frying pork belly, or liempo, is a convenient and mess-free way to cook this classic Filipino dish. Liempo is a cut of meat known for its layers of fat and meat, which make it flavorful and tender when cooked.
First, prepare your pork belly by marinating it. A traditional Filipino marinade includes soy sauce, calamansi or lemon juice, sugar, garlic, and various spices. You can also add Sprite to the marinade for a unique twist. Marinate the pork belly for at least 30 minutes, but preferably for 2-4 hours, or even overnight, to allow the flavors to fully develop.
Once your pork belly has marinated, it's time to prepare your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to between 375F and 400F. Line the air fryer basket or tray with aluminum foil and lay the pork strips in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping.
Now, you're ready to air-fry your pork belly. Air-fry for 5 minutes, then flip the pork belly and brush it with basting sauce. Continue cooking for 5-10 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of your meat. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. The pork belly is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F or 73C.
Remove the pork belly from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then, slice it into bite-sized pieces and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
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Making the dipping sauce
Liempo, or pork belly, is a popular Filipino dish characterised by its layers of fat and meat. The traditional way to cook it is over a charcoal grill, but it can also be cooked in an air fryer.
There are several dipping sauce options that you can serve with your air-fried liempo. Here are some ideas:
- A combination of vinegar and soy sauce.
- Spiced vinegar or bagoong (shrimp paste).
- A dipping sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, calamansi, and chillies.
- A bright acidic sauce made from vinegar.
- A sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, chopped onion, and a pinch of brown sugar.
You can also serve your liempo with any of the following:
- Atchara (pickled papaya)
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Soy sauce with calamansi lime
- White rice
- Eggplant salad
- Pickled vegetables
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Serving suggestions
Liempo is a popular Filipino dish that is often served with rice. The dish is characterized by its savory and aromatic flavor profile, which is achieved through a marinade that includes a combination of soy sauce, calamansi or lemon juice, sprite, garlic, sugar, and various spices.
When it comes to serving suggestions, there are several options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Dipping Sauces: Liempo is often served with a dipping sauce on the side. You can combine vinegar, soy sauce, chopped onion, and a pinch of brown sugar for a bright, acidic flavor that pairs well with the meat. Another option is to create a spiced soy and vinegar dip by combining vinegar and soy sauce in a small bowl.
- Sides: Liempo can be served with a variety of sides, such as atchara (pickled papaya), tomatoes, cucumbers, or rice.
- Pinakbet: Liempo can be served with pinakbet, a dish that includes purple yam and crispy pork belly. To make pinakbet, you can saute aromatics like onion, garlic, ginger, and tomato, and then add cubed vegetables such as ube and kalabasa.
- Condiments: You can serve liempo with your preferred condiments. Some options include MAGGI® Magic Sarap® and MAGGI® Savor Classic, or a combination of chili and garlic.
- Salads: Liempo can be served as part of a salad, such as a green salad with a vinaigrette dressing or a fruit salad with a yogurt dressing.
- Vegetables: Liempo can be served with a variety of roasted or steamed vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, or carrots.
These are just a few suggestions, but feel free to get creative and experiment with different serving options to find your favorite combinations.
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Frequently asked questions
Liempo is the Filipino word for pork belly. It is a cut of meat known for its layers of fat and meat, which make it flavorful and tender when cooked.
It is recommended to marinate the pork belly for at least 30 minutes, but for the best results, it should be marinated for 2-4 hours or even overnight in the refrigerator.
Preheat your air fryer to between 370F and 400F, depending on your air fryer model and the specific recipe you are following.
Cook the liempo for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the meat and the desired level of doneness. Check the liempo regularly to prevent it from burning.
Liempo is often served with white rice and a dipping sauce made from vinegar, soy sauce, and spices. Other popular pairings include pickled papaya, tomatoes, cucumbers, and shrimp paste.
