Pan con Chicharron Pork and Sweet Potato Sandwich
A beloved Peruvian breakfast sandwich piled with crispy slow-fried pork belly, sliced sweet potato, pickled red onions, and salsa criolla on a crusty roll. Plan ahead: marinate the pork for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork belly (skin-on), cut into 3-inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 small sweet potato, sliced 1/4-inch rounds
- 2 cups vegetable oil
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp aji amarillo paste (or 1/2 tsp hot paprika)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 4 crusty sandwich rolls (pan de molde or hoagie rolls), split
Instructions
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1
Rub 2 lbs cut into 3-inch pieces pork belly (skin-on) all over with 4 cloves minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle with 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
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2
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange 2 small sliced 1/4-inch rounds sweet potato on a baking sheet, brush with a little oil, and bake 20-25 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized, flipping once.
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3
Make the pickled onion: toss 1 small thinly sliced red onion with 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and a pinch of salt. Set aside for 15 minutes.
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4
Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated pork belly pieces and cook, turning occasionally, until pork reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) and the skin is golden and crispy, about 40-50 minutes.
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5
Remove pork and drain on paper towels. Slice or roughly chop.
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6
Mix 2 tsp aji amarillo paste (or 1/2 tsp hot paprika) into the pickled onion along with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro to make salsa criolla.
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7
Toast 4 split crusty sandwich rolls (pan de molde or hoagie rolls) cut-side down in a dry skillet. Layer each roll with sweet potato slices, crispy pork belly, and a generous spoonful of salsa criolla. Serve immediately.