Crispy Pata

Crispy Pata is a whole pork leg boiled, dried and cooled overnight and then deep-fried until crispy golden brown. This is one of the all time favorite pork dish aside from lechon.

Ingredients:

1 Pata (front or hind leg of a pig including the knuckles)

1 bottle of soda (7Up or sprite)

1 tablespoon of salt

2 tablespoons patis (fish sauce)

1/2 tablespoon baking soda

1 tablespoon of monosodium glutamate (MSG)

4 tablespoons of flour

Enough oil for deep frying

Enough water for boiling

Procedure:

Clean the pork pata by removing all hairs and by scraping the skin with a knife. Wash thoroughly.

Make four to five inch cuts on the sides of the pata.

On a deep stock pot, place the pata in water with soda and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Then add the baking soda and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes.

Remove the pata from the pot and hang and allow to drip dry for 24 hours. An alternative to this is to thoroughly drain the pork pata and refrigerate for a few hours.

After the above process, rub patis on the pata and sprinkle flour liberally.

In a deep frying pot, heat cooking oil and deep fry the pork pata until golden brown.

Crispy Pata Dip Sauce:

Mix 3/4 cup of vinegar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 cloves of crushed garlic, 1 head of diced onion and 1 hot pepper. Salt and pepper to taste.

Happy Fiesta !!!