Honduran Pork in Roasted Pineapple and Sweet Pepper Sauce with Cilantro Rice

Name: Honduran Pork in Roasted Pineapple and Sweet Pepper Sauce with Cilantro Rice
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Hondureña
Ingredients: 1.5 lb pork loin, cubed; 2 cups fresh pineapple; 1 cup uncooked white rice; 2 cups water; 2 medium ripe tomatoes; 1 large red sweet pepper; 1.5 cups white onion; 3 cloves garlic; 0.5 cup fresh cilantro; 0.5 cup orange juice; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground annatto; 0.5 tsp dried oregano; 1.5 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp white vinegar; 1 tbsp butter

An original main dish inspired by Honduran flavors: browned pork pieces simmered in a roasted pineapple, tomato, and sweet pepper sauce with a touch of cumin, served over rice scented with fresh cilantro. It balances sweetness, acidity, and savory notes in a comforting homemade meal.

25 minPrep

45 minCook

70 minTotal

4Servings

High Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g pork loin, cubed (cubes medium)
300 g fresh pineapple (diced small)
200 g uncooked white rice (lavado)
480 ml water (for the arroz)
300 g ripe tomatoes (partidos por the mitad)
150 g red sweet pepper (in strips)
180 g white onion (en pluma, divided)
12 g garlic (chopped)
20 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
120 ml orange juice (natural)
45 ml vegetable oil (divided)
2 g ground cumin
2 g ground annatto
1 g dried oregano
8 g salt (or to taste, divided)
2 g black pepper
15 ml white vinegar
14 g butter (for the arroz)

Nutrition facts

per serving

522 kcal

Calories

33 g

Protein

45 g

Carbs

22 g

Fat

3 g

Fiber

42 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Dairy

Instructions

1
1. Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. Place the tomatoes, half of the onion, and the pineapple on a tray. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and roast for 18 minutes, until the tomatoes are soft and the pineapple has golden edges.
2
2. Meanwhile, season the pork loin with cumin, annatto, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and white vinegar. Mix well and let it rest for 10 minutes.
3
3. In a medium pot, melt the butter with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the uncooked white rice and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in the water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and half of the fresh cilantro. Once it boils, cover, reduce the heat, and cook for 15 minutes, until the rice is tender. Turn off the heat and let it rest covered.
4
4. Blend the roasted tomatoes, roasted pineapple, roasted onion, orange juice, and an extra 60 ml (1/4 cup) water if needed to make a thick but pourable sauce.
5
5. Heat the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or braiser over medium-high heat. Brown the pork in two batches for 6 to 8 minutes total, turning to sear the sides. Remove temporarily if the pan gets overcrowded.
6
6. In the same skillet, add the red sweet pepper, remaining onion, and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes, scraping the bottom to incorporate the browned bits.
7
7. Return all the pork to the skillet and pour in the blended sauce. Add the remaining salt to taste. When it reaches a gentle boil, lower to medium-low heat and cook for 18 to 20 minutes, until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened.
8
8. Uncover the rice and fluff it with a fork. Fold in the remaining fresh cilantro for aroma.
9
9. Serve a bed of cilantro rice and spoon the pork on top with plenty of roasted pineapple and sweet pepper sauce. Serve hot.

Chef tips

For deeper flavor, refrigerate the seasoned pork for 30 minutes before cooking. If you want a brighter sauce, add a few extra drops of orange juice at the end.

Substitutions

You can substitute the pork loin with pork shoulder or boneless chicken thighs. Culantro can be replaced with regular cilantro if that is what you have available. The butter in the rice can be replaced with more vegetable oil to avoid dairy.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
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Illustrative image
Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
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Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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