8 December 2010

Killing me softly with pork crackling (Chicharon)


Oh My. Pork crackling (a.k.a chicharon).  This gives us Filipinos a bad name. When it comes to fried and fatty foods, we have a reputation for being good at it.  Filipinos love chicharon and it can be found being sold all over the Philippines.  My parents and their friends used to joke about chicharon and called them "killing me softly" as you can imagine, these can not be good for your health.  In fact, my brother and I monitor their chicharon intake.

My parents had perfected the art of making these little crunchy gems many years ago.  As a young girl, I remember large hand made nets strewn across the back yard when they used to dry the pork rind under the sun for 2 days before deep frying them.


My parents now use the oven to dry out the pork rind.  It only takes half the time and is not dependent on the weather. 



To dry out the pork rind, preheat the oven 75degC.  Lay the rind in a single layer on a tray.  Cook for 12 hours or until the skin is really dry and hard.  Mix it up every hour or so.

It can now be stored until ready to be deep fried.


When deep frying the rind, only fry a few at a time and keep them submerged in the hot oil.  You can do this by placing a frying basket on top.  Fry until they are slightly golden and has expanded double it's size.


Remove and drain on paper towel or sieve.  These little babies are best eaten with white vinegar  with salt, pepper, chopped chillies and crushed garlic.


10 comments:

/* */ cusinera said...

Chicharon...i love u to death! Now you make me crave for this beauties=)

/* */ Tangled Noodle said...

Killing me crisply with your homemade pork crackling...this is so impressive! Though I rarely indulge in this treat anymore, I do love it all crushed up and sprinkled over pancit palabok. 8-)

/* */ Sefie said...

I found "vegetarian chicharon" at my local sari-sari... it was kind of tasty, but nothing like the real thing! I shouldn't have looked at this post, I'm so hungry already...

/* */ Trissa said...

I love chicharon... I have been trying to make it - I didn't realize you had to dry it so long - next time I'm sure mine will be a success thanks to you!

/* */ Jun Belen said...

Thank you for the tips! Love, love chicharon!!

/* */ sheryl@crispywaffle said...

oh -- soooo good. (my secret though is that my favorite is actually chicharron manok!)

/* */ Liren said...

Killing me softly...you have me chuckling here :) This is truly impressive! I recently included in chicharron recently, though not homemade, and I was in crunchy salty heaven. I've ne'er made them myself, but am very eager to try!

/* */ penny aka jeroxie said...

So this is how it is made!! I so want to do it now. I have kept a few pork skin in the freezer. CAn I do it with them?

/* */ Carolyn Jung said...

I LOVE these! It's one of those guilty pleasures that you know you shouldn't be eating, yet you just can't help yourself. ;)

/* */ LetMeEatCake Eat With Me! said...

home made chicharon wow i did not need to see how to make this i'm already such a sucker for chicharon the last thing i need is to make them at home! now i want some chicharon haha :)

Related Posts with Thumbnails