Healthy Crispy Pata Recipe

Craving some Crispy Pata, eh? You're in for a treat! Here's a simple recipe for this Filipino crispy pork dish:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole pork leg (pata), cleaned
• 4 to 6 pieces of star anise
• 1 tablespoon peppercorns
• 4 to 6 pieces dried bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• Water for boiling
• Cooking oil for deep frying

For the Dipping Sauce:
Soy sauce

• Vinegar
• Chopped onions
• Crushed garlic
• Siling labuyo (bird's eye chili), chopped (optional)

Instructions:

• In a large pot, place the pork leg and fill it with enough water to cover the meat.
• Add star anise, peppercorns, dried bay leaves, salt, and baking soda.
• Bring to a boil and simmer until the pork is tender. This may take about 45 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the size of the pork leg.
• Once tender, remove the pork from the pot and let it cool. You can also place it in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to make it even more flavorful.
• Heat enough oil in a deep fryer or large pan for deep frying.
• Carefully place the pork leg into the hot oil. Fry until the skin is golden and crispy. This usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Once crispy, remove the Crispy Pata from the oil and let it drain on paper towels.
• Serve hot with a side of soy sauce, vinegar, chopped onions, garlic, and optional chopped siling labuyo for a spicy kick.
• There you go! Enjoy your homemade Crispy Pata. It's crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside—absolutely delicious!