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Pork Lauya
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How to Cook Lauya (Ilokano Pork Knuckles Stew)

Lauya is an Ilokano dish it usually consist of pork knuckles and vegetables but some variations uses beef knuckles.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 25 minutes
Total Time2 hours 35 minutes
Course: Pork Recipe
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: Ilokano dish, lauya recipe, pork knuckles
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 361kcal
Author: Manny

Ingredients

  • 3 kilos pork knuckes or pata ng baboy
  • 1 head cabbage sliced into strips
  • 4 large potatoes peeled and quartered
  • 1 head garlic crushed
  • 4 pcs medium size onions chopped
  • 6 pcs crushed bay leaves
  • 1 Tbsp. ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup patis or fish sauce
  • 1/8 cup sukang Iloko raw sugarcane vinegar
  • 4 liters water or soup stock
  • MSG or any granulated seasoning to taste

Instructions

How to cook Lauya:

  • Chop the pork knuckles or let the meat vendor chop it for you about 1 and 1/2 inches thick.
  • Wash and clean the pork knuckles, remove or shave the small hairs if you found any.
  • Then smoke the pork knuckles using the cold smoke process. You can also grill the pork partially to improve the taste if you don't want to smoke it. Set aside.
  • Heat a big wok in medium to strong fire, then add the smoked pork knuckles, let it sizzle for a few seconds then add onion and garlic, potatoes, cabbage, ground black pepper, bay leaves, patis and water. Do not mix or stir.
  • Cook for 2 hours or until the meat becomes tender.
  • Then add sugarcane vinegar or sukang Iloko and cook for another 25 minutes. Again do not mix or stir. Serve hot in a soup plate.

Notes

Cooking Tips of Lauya Recipe:

  1. Choose the Right Wood: Opt for natural, unprocessed wood, such as branches from a tree or firewood, when smoking your pork knuckles. Avoid using scrap wood from construction or furniture, as they may contain harmful chemicals that can taint the taste of your dish.
  2. Maintain a Cold Smoke Process: When smoking the knuckles, ensure that the process remains cold. Cold smoking infuses a subtle smokiness without fully cooking the meat. This step is crucial to achieve the unique flavor profile of Lauya.
  3. Consider Grilling as an Alternative: If cold smoking seems daunting, you can achieve a similar effect by grilling the pork knuckles partially. This alternative method also enhances the taste and texture of the meat, making it a convenient option for home cooks.
  4. Resist the Urge to Stir: Throughout the cooking process, refrain from stirring the stew. This prevents the meat from breaking apart and allows the flavors to develop naturally.