Lasang Pinoy Crockpot Cooking: Pork Estofado

My first Lasang Pinoy entry ever (this one's being hosted by Lorraine from Super Sarap)...this is pretty exciting for me. Also because the last time I used my crockpot, I overfilled it with beans, and to make the story short, it was a disaster. I haven't used it since, and it's been sitting in the cupboard for almost over a year now, the poor little crockpot. But the other day, I dusted of the tiny little guy (yes, it really is cute and tiny) and decided to make one of my favorite dishes...pork estofado. Its kind of a homage, although a poor one, to the dish Tita Pilar used to serve at her house. This version doesn't even come close to hers, but its still pretty good. It was difficult trying to source fresh saba bananas in vancouver though, but I found some frozen ones and used those. Lets just say it wasn't a success...nope, not good. I like my saba soft and melty, but these were hard and had an almost cardboard-y consistency. I also opted not to fry my bread, but instead just tore the baguette and dipped it in the sauce which in my opinion was the best part.


Nora Daza's Pork Estofado
1/4 c. cooking oil
3 cloves garlic
1/2 c. lean pork, cut in pcs.
1/2 c. vinegar
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
8 peppercorns
1 carrot, cut in strips
2 pcs. saba banana, 1 inch thick, fried
2 pcs. french bread, cut and fried
1 bay leaf

1. Brown garlic in hot oil. Fry pork pieces till brown.
2. Add vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, water, bay leaf, peppercorns. Boil without stirring.
3. Lower flame and cook till pork is done.
4. Add carrots and cook till pork is tender.
5. Before serving add fried bananas and french bread