Colombian Coffee-Braised Pork Roast with Sweet Plantain Mash and Onion Salad

Name: Colombian Coffee-Braised Pork Roast with Sweet Plantain Mash and Onion Salad
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 95 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Colombiana
Ingredients: 2.65 lb pork loin roast, whole; 1.5 cups strong hot black coffee; 1/4 cup grated panela; 3/4 cup crushed tomato; 1 cup scallions, chopped; 1 tbsp garlic, minced; 1 tsp ground cumin; 3/4 tsp ground annatto; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1 3/4 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 cup chicken broth or water; about 4 cups ripe plantains, peeled and cut in chunks; 2 tbsp butter; 1/2 cup milk; 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 3 tbsp lime juice; 1 tbsp white vinegar

An original recipe inspired by Colombian flavors: pork roast seared and slowly braised in a sauce of coffee, panela, and tomato, served with a silky sweet plantain mash and a fresh onion, cilantro, and lime salad. Comforting, aromatic, and ideal for a special meal.

25 minPrep

95 minCook

120 minTotal

6Servings

Gluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

1200 g pork loin roast, whole (without exceso of grasa)
360 ml strong hot black coffee (freshly preparado)
50 g grated panela (or piloncillo grated)
200 g crushed tomato (skinless if possible)
80 g scallions, chopped (divided en dos partes)
18 g garlic, minced (approx. 5 cloves)
3 g ground cumin
2 g ground annatto
1 g dried oregano
10 g salt (divided or to taste)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
30 ml vegetable oil
240 ml chicken broth or water (for the cocción)
700 g ripe plantains, peeled and cut in chunks (muy ripe)
30 g butter
120 ml milk (hot)
120 g red onion, thinly sliced
15 g fresh cilantro, chopped
45 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
15 ml white vinegar

Nutrition facts

per serving

486 kcal

Calories

40 g

Protein

28 g

Carbs

24 g

Fat

3 g

Fiber

25 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. Pat the pork loin dry with paper towels and season it with 6 g salt (about 1 tsp), black pepper, cumin, annatto, oregano, half of the scallions, and half of the garlic. Rub well and let it rest for 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
2
2. In a wide pot or heavy casserole, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Sear the pork on all sides for 8 to 10 minutes until well browned. Transfer it briefly to a plate.
3
3. In the same pot, add the remaining scallions and remaining garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring to loosen the flavorful bits from the bottom. Add the crushed tomato and cook 3 minutes more.
4
4. Pour in the hot coffee, panela, and chicken broth or water. Mix well, return the pork to the pot, and when it starts to simmer gently, lower the heat.
5
5. Cover the pot and cook over low heat for 70 minutes, turning the meat halfway through. If you prefer to finish it in the oven, transfer the covered pot to a preheated oven at 325°F / 160°C for the same 70 minutes.
6
6. Meanwhile, place the ripe plantains in a pot with enough water to cover them. Cook over medium heat for 15 to 18 minutes, until very soft. Drain well.
7
7. Mash the hot plantains with the butter, hot milk, and 2 g salt (about 1/3 tsp) until smooth but still rustic. Keep covered over very low heat or warm.
8
8. For the salad, combine the red onion with the cilantro, lime juice, vinegar, and 2 g salt (about 1/3 tsp). Massage lightly with your hands or a spoon and let it sit for 10 minutes to soften the flavor.
9
9. Uncover the pork and cook for 10 to 12 minutes more over medium heat to reduce the sauce until glossy and lightly thickened. The pork should reach a minimum internal temperature of 145°F / 63°C. Remove from the heat and let it rest for 8 minutes before slicing.
10
10. Slice the pork and serve it with plenty of coffee sauce, the sweet plantain mash on the side, and the onion salad on top or alongside. Adjust salt if needed and serve hot.

Chef tips

For deeper flavor, brew the coffee slightly stronger than usual. If the sauce reduces too much, add a few tablespoons of broth or water before serving. Use very ripe plantains for a naturally sweet, creamy mash.

Substitutions

You can replace the pork loin with pork shoulder or boneless leg, adjusting the cooking time if the cut is thicker. Panela can be replaced with brown sugar, and cilantro with parsley for a milder profile.

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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