Fried pork belly is always a popular dish in Vietnamese cuisine. With the continuous development of technology, traditional cooking methods are also gradually changing to meet the health and convenience needs of modern people. Frying with traditional oil not only takes a lot of time but is also not good for your health due to excess fat. That’s why air fryers have become a popular household appliance, providing a crispy frying solution without using a lot of oil. The oil-free fryer not only helps reduce the amount of grease in dishes but also preserves the inherent flavor and crispness of the food. In particular, pork belly fried in an oil-free fryer is not only delicious but also good for health, in line with the current healthy eating trend. This article will provide you with a detailed recipe for making fried pork belly in an oil-free fryer. We will cover the nutritional value of the dish, the ingredients needed to prepare, the detailed step-by-step process, as well as answer frequently asked questions and share useful tips for making pork belly. Only your frying turns out to be the most perfect. Let’s explore and enjoy this delicious dish, guaranteed to satisfy even the most demanding diners
Nutritional value:
Protein and Fat
- Pork belly contains a lot of protein and fat, which is a rich source of energy for the body. Protein is an important ingredient that helps build and repair tissues in the body, while also supporting the production of enzymes and hormones. The fat in pork belly, although partly contained in saturated fat, when fried in an oil-free fryer, the amount of excess fat is significantly reduced, helping to reduce calorie consumption.
Vitamins and Minerals
- In addition to protein and fat, pork belly also provides vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6, B12, iron and zinc. Vitamins B6 and B12 play an important role in maintaining the health of the nervous and immune systems. Iron is the main component of hemoglobin, which helps transport oxygen in the blood. Zinc helps strengthen the immune system, promote wound healing and maintain skin, hair and nail health.
Ingredient :
- 500g pork belly
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon seasoning powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon minced purple onion
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
- Scallions, chili (optional)
Making
Step 1: Prepare Meat
- Wash the pork belly, drain and cut into bite-sized pieces. Cutting the meat into even pieces will help the meat cook evenly and look more beautiful when fried.
Step 2: Marinate the Meat
- Mix well the spices including fish sauce, sugar, sesame oil, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder and five-spice powder. Marinate the meat with this spice mixture for at least 30 minutes so that the meat absorbs the spices evenly. If possible, you should marinate the meat overnight in the refrigerator so that the spices penetrate deeper into each fiber of the meat, making the dish more flavorful.
Step 3: Fry the Meat
- Heat the oil-free fryer at 200°C for 5 minutes. Preheating the fryer will help the meat cook evenly and have a better color. Place the meat in the fryer, fry at 180°C for about 20-25 minutes. During the frying process, you should turn the meat halfway so it cooks evenly and has a beautiful golden color. If you want the meat to be crispier, you can increase the temperature to 200°C for the last 5 minutes.
Step 4: Complete
- Take the meat to a plate, decorate with herbs and lemon as desired. Pork belly fried in an oil-free fryer is ready to enjoy. You can eat it with white rice, vermicelli or use it as a side dish with beer, it’s all very delicious.
Frequently asked Questions:
1. Does an oil-free fryer lose the flavor of pork belly?
- No, the oil-free fryer does not lose the natural flavor of the pork belly. In fact, it also helps preserve the natural flavor of the meat and makes it crispier and tastier. The oil-free fryer uses circulating hot air technology to cook food, helping dishes retain moisture and flavor.
2. How to keep pork belly from drying out?
- Make sure to marinate for enough time and fry at the right temperature, don’t fry for too long. Alternatively, you can also wrap the meat in foil for the first 10 minutes to retain moisture, then remove the foil to crisp up the meat.
3. What other spices can be added to make the dish more rich?
- You can add a little honey or lemon juice to the spice mixture to create a sweet and slightly sour taste, making the dish more rich and attractive.
Tips:
- Choose Fresh Meat: Choose fresh pork belly, light pink color and no bad smell. Fresh meat will help the dish taste better and ensure food safety and hygiene.
- Temperature Control: Make sure the fryer is preheated and control the temperature during the frying process. Temperatures that are too high can burn the surface of the meat while leaving the inside uncooked, while temperatures that are too low can dry out the meat.
- Let the Meat Rest: After frying, let the meat rest a bit before eating so that the meat stays crispy and delicious. Letting the meat rest helps the juices in the meat redistribute, keeping the meat from drying out when eaten.
- Using foil: You can use foil to wrap the meat during the frying process, helping to keep the meat moist. After the meat is almost cooked, open the foil to let the meat crisp up until golden brown.
Pork belly fried in an oil-free fryer is not only a delicious dish but also brings many health benefits. By using an oil-free fryer, you can minimize the amount of fat in your daily diet, thereby reducing the risk of diseases related to high blood fat, obesity and cardiovascular problems. This dish retains the typical flavor of fried pork belly, with a crispy crust on the outside and soft, delicious meat on the inside. In addition, an oil-free fryer also helps save time and effort in cooking. You don’t need to stand guard over the kitchen to stir the meat continuously, avoid splashing grease and keep the kitchen clean. This is especially useful for busy people who want a quick and delicious meal without having to sacrifice too much time and effort. Through this article, we hope you have clearly understood how to prepare fried pork belly in an oil-free fryer, from preparing the ingredients, how to marinate the meat, and how to fry the meat to achieve the desired crispiness. . At the same time, you also learned more about the nutritional benefits of pork belly and tips to help make the dish more perfect. To keep fried pork belly interesting and not boring, you can change the marinade or combine it with different side dishes such as raw vegetables, cucumber, kimchi or salad to balance nutrition and Add more excitement to the meal.