Chicharrones

---

Chicharrones are a crunchy and tasty delicacy that has been enjoyed in various cultures around the world. From Latin America to Asia, chicharrones are a popular dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Below, I present a detailed recipe to make chicharrones at home, enjoying that irresistible crunch and flavor. Let’s do it!

Ingredients:

For the Chicharrones:

• 1 kg of pork skin with a good layer of fat
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 laurel hoja

For Cooking:

• Water
• Vegetable oil for frying

Optional to accompany:

• Creole sauce
• Guacamole
• Lemon

Instructions:

Step 1: Preparation of the Pigskin

1. Start with purchasing good quality pigskin. Make sure it has a layer of fat for crispier pork rinds.
2. Wash the pork skin well with water and dry it with kitchen paper.
3. Cut the skin into strips or small squares. You can ask the butcher to do it for you.
4. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the cut pork skin.
5. Add salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and a bay leaf to the pot. Cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes or until pork skin is tender.

Step 2: Drying the Pig Skin

1. Remove the pork skin from the pot and place on a rack to drain and dry. Let it cool for about 30 minutes.
2. Once it’s dry, gently press on the pork skin with a paper towel to remove excess water and make sure it’s completely dry.
3. If the weather permits, you can leave the skin in the sun for a couple of hours to dry completely. This step helps to obtain crispier pork rinds.

Step 3: Fry the Chicharrones

1. In a large skillet, heat enough vegetable oil to submerge the pork rinds.
2. When the oil is hot (around 180 degrees Celsius), add the pork skin pieces. You can do this in batches to avoid crowding.
3. Fry the pork rinds until golden and crispy. This may take about 5-7 minutes, but it depends on the size of the pieces and the temperature of the oil.
4. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cracklings from the oil and place them on kitchen paper to absorb excess fat.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

1. Sprinkle the chicharrones with a little additional salt while they are still hot.
2. Serve the chicharrones accompanied by criolla sauce, guacamole or a few lemon slices to give them an extra touch of flavor.
3. Enjoy these crispy and delicious homemade pork rinds!

Tips and Variations:

• You can season the pork skin with your favorite seasonings before boiling it for an extra touch of flavor.
• Experiment with different sauces and dressings to accompany the chicharrones according to your preferences.
• If you prefer thinner, crispier pork rinds, cut the pork skin into thinner strips.

Preparing chicharrones at home is a fun and rewarding culinary experience. The end result will be a crunchy, delicious appetizer that is sure to be a hit at any gathering or simply as a personal indulgence. Enjoy!