Coffee and panela braised pork with toasted mini corn arepas and avocado, tomato, and lime salad

Name: Coffee and panela braised pork with toasted mini corn arepas and avocado, tomato, and lime salad
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Comida Latinoamericana
Ingredients: 1.5 lb pork shoulder, cubed; 1 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp dried oregano; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 1/4 cups white onion; 4 cloves garlic; 1 1/2 cups tomato; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 3/4 cup strong black coffee; 1 cup water; 3 tbsp grated panela; 2 tbsp lime juice; 1 1/2 cups precooked yellow cornmeal; 1 cup warm water; 1/2 cup crumbled fresh cheese; 1 large avocado; 1 cup cherry tomatoes; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro; 1/3 cup red onion

An original Latin American dish featuring pork pieces seared and gently braised in a smooth sauce of coffee, panela, tomato, and spices, served with golden mini corn arepas and a fresh avocado, tomato, and lime salad.

25 minPrep

55 minCook

80 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g pork shoulder, cubed (1.2 in)
8 g salt (divided)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
3 g ground cumin
1 g dried oregano
30 ml vegetable oil (divided)
180 g white onion (chopped)
12 g garlic (chopped)
250 g tomato (chopped)
30 g tomato paste
180 ml strong black coffee (ya preparado)
240 ml water
35 g grated panela (or piloncillo grated)
30 ml lime juice (divided)
180 g precooked yellow cornmeal (for arepas)
240 ml warm water (for arepas)
60 g crumbled fresh cheese (for the dough and servir)
200 g avocado (diced)
150 g cherry tomatoes (cut por the mitad)
12 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
50 g red onion (en pluma fina)

Nutrition facts

per serving

620 kcal

Calories

31 g

Protein

34 g

Carbs

39 g

Fat

5 g

Fiber

29 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. Season the pork with 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt, black pepper, cumin, and oregano. Mix well and let it rest for 10 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
2
2. Heat a wide pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat with 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil. Brown the pork in batches for 6 to 8 minutes until colored on several sides. Remove and set aside.
3
3. In the same pot, add the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) oil. Sauté the white onion for 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook 1 more minute. Stir in the chopped tomato and tomato paste; cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until a thick base forms.
4
4. Pour in the black coffee, water, grated panela, and 15 ml (1 tbsp) lime juice. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release the browned bits. Return the pork to the pot and mix well.
5
5. Once it comes to a gentle boil, reduce to medium-low heat, partially cover, and cook for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork is tender and the sauce has reduced. Adjust with the remaining 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt if needed.
6
6. While the pork cooks, make the mini arepas. In a bowl, mix the precooked cornmeal, warm water, a pinch of salt taken from the total amount if desired, and half of the fresh cheese. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
7
7. Divide the dough into 8 portions and shape small arepas about 1 cm (0.4 in) thick. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and cook the arepas for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. If you prefer to finish them in the oven, bake them at 200 °C / 400 °F for 8 minutes after searing.
8
8. For the salad, combine the avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) lime juice in a bowl. Toss gently so the avocado keeps its shape.
9
9. Serve the braised pork hot with its sauce, alongside the golden mini arepas, and finish with the remaining fresh cheese on top. Add the fresh salad on the side and serve immediately.

Chef tips

For a deeper sauce, let it reduce uncovered for the last 5 to 8 minutes. If the coffee tastes very bitter, add an extra teaspoon of panela to round out the flavor.

Substitutions

You can use stewing beef instead of pork, though the cooking time may increase. Fresh cheese can be replaced with mild cotija or omitted. If you do not have panela, use brown sugar.

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
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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Illustrative image
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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