Colombian pork steak stew with chayote, cider glaze and crispy arepa shards

Name: Colombian pork steak stew with chayote, cider glaze and crispy arepa shards
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Colombiana
Ingredients: 1.5 lb pork shoulder steak, thick-cut; 1 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground annatto; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 cup scallions; 4 cloves garlic; 2 cups tomato; 3/4 cup red bell pepper; 2 1/2 cups chayote; 14 oz yellow baby potatoes; 3/4 cup apple cider; 2 cups water or light broth; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro; 1 small arepa, about 4 oz thin white arepa; 1 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp lime juice

An original Colombian-inspired stew featuring seared pork steak, chayote and baby yellow potatoes in a short broth scented with scallions, tomato, cumin and a touch of apple cider. Finished with toasted white arepa shards for crunch and to soak up the sauce.

20 minPrep

55 minCook

75 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g pork shoulder steak, thick-cut (cut en 4 porciones)
8 g salt (divided)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
2 g ground cumin
2 g ground annatto
30 ml vegetable oil
120 g scallions (chopped fina)
12 g garlic (chopped)
300 g tomato (pelado and chopped)
100 g red bell pepper (in strips finas)
350 g chayote (pelada and diced medium)
400 g yellow baby potatoes (whole or partidas a the mitad si son large)
180 ml apple cider (without gas)
480 ml water or light broth
20 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
120 g thin white arepa (cut en trozos irregulares)
14 g butter (for dorar the arepa)
15 ml lime juice

Nutrition facts

per serving

498 kcal

Calories

31 g

Protein

28 g

Carbs

28 g

Fat

4 g

Fiber

24 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 steaks with 1 tsp salt, black pepper, cumin, and annatto. Let rest for 10 minutes while you prep the vegetables.
2
2. Heat a wide pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil and sear the pork for 3 to 4 minutes per side until well browned. Remove and set aside.
3
3. In the same pot, reduce to medium heat and cook the scallions, garlic, and bell pepper for 3 minutes. Add the tomato and cook for 5 minutes, mashing slightly to create a short hogao-style base.
4
4. Add the chayote and yellow potatoes. Stir for 2 minutes so they absorb the flavors. Pour in the apple cider and cook for 2 minutes so it reduces slightly.
5
5. Return the pork to the pot along with any juices. Add the water or broth and the remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Once it comes to a boil, reduce to low, cover, and cook for 35 minutes, until the pork is tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
6
6. Meanwhile, preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat, equivalent to a hot surface of about 350°F/175°C. Melt the butter and toast the arepa pieces for 2 to 3 minutes per side until crisp. Set aside.
7
7. Uncover the pot and cook 5 more minutes to thicken the sauce slightly if needed. Add the lime juice and half of the cilantro. Adjust salt to taste.
8
8. Serve the stew hot, top with the crispy arepa shards, and finish with the remaining fresh cilantro.

Chef tips

If you want a thicker sauce, mash 2 or 3 of the yellow potatoes into the stew at the end of cooking. For deeper flavor, let the seasoned pork rest for 30 minutes before searing.

Substitutions

You can replace chayote with firm zucchini, though the profile will be less traditional. Apple cider can be swapped for unsweetened apple juice plus 1 teaspoon vinegar. For a dairy-free version, toast the arepa using oil only.

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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