Irresistibly Succulent: Homemade Chinese Pata Tim Recipe

If you're looking for a hearty and flavourful dish to serve at your next dinner party, Chinese Pata Tim might just be the perfect recipe for you. This popular Filipino-Chinese dish features a whole pork leg that is braised low and slow in a sweet and savoury sauce, resulting in succulent, fall-off-the-bone meat that is sure to impress your guests.

The history of Pata Tim can be traced back to its Chinese roots, where it is traditionally served during special occasions and banquets. Over time, the dish has become a beloved staple in Filipino cuisine, with variations that incorporate local ingredients and flavours. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, this recipe is easy to follow and can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese Pata Tim is a popular Filipino-Chinese dish that features a whole pork leg braised in a sweet and savoury sauce.
• The dish has its roots in Chinese cuisine and is traditionally served during special occasions and banquets.
• This recipe is easy to follow and can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences.

History of Pata Tim

If you love Chinese-style dishes, then you must try Pata Tim. This Filipino-Chinese dish is a whole pork leg cooked low and slow in a sweet and savory sauce. It is a popular dish in the Philippines and is often served in special occasions and celebrations.

The origin of Pata Tim can be traced back to the Chinese red-braised pork dish. It is said that Chinese immigrants brought this dish to the Philippines, and it was adapted to suit the Filipino taste. The name "Pata Tim" actually comes from the Filipino words "pata" which means pork hock or leg, and "itim" which means black.

Pata Tim is a classic example of how Chinese cuisine has influenced Filipino cuisine. The dish uses Chinese-style ingredients such as Shaoxing wine and star anise, which give it a unique flavor. It is also similar to the Chinese red-braised pork dish, but with a Filipino twist.

Today, Pata Tim is a popular dish in the Philippines and is often served during special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and holidays. It is a dish that brings people together and symbolizes the rich cultural history of the Philippines.

Pata Tim is a delicious and flavourful dish that has a rich history. It is a testament to the cultural exchange between China and the Philippines, and it is a dish that you should definitely try if you love Chinese-style cuisine.

Essential Ingredients

To make a delicious Chinese-style Pata Tim, you will need a few essential ingredients. Here are the main ingredients you will need to make this dish:

Meat Selection

The star of this dish is undoubtedly the pork leg, also known as pata or pork hock. When selecting your pork leg, make sure it is fresh and has a good amount of meat on it. You can ask your local butcher to cut it into manageable pieces for you.

Vegetables and Aromatics

To add flavour to the dish, you will need garlic, onion, and shiitake mushrooms. These aromatics will infuse the meat with their delicious flavours. You can also add bay leaves, peppercorn, and cinnamon to give the dish a more complex flavour.

Sauce and Seasonings

The sauce is what makes the dish so irresistible. You will need soy sauce, sugar, brown sugar, salt, vinegar, oyster sauce, and sesame oil to make the sauce. You can adjust the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce to your liking. You can also use cornstarch to thicken the sauce.

Here is a table summarising the essential ingredients:

Ingredient	Quantity
Pork leg (pata/pork hock)	1 large piece
Garlic	1 head
Onion	1 large
Shiitake mushrooms	5 pieces
Bay leaves	2 pieces
Peppercorn	1 tablespoon
Cinnamon	1 stick
Soy sauce	1/2 cup
Sugar	1/2 cup
Brown sugar	1/2 cup
Salt	2 teaspoons
Vinegar	1/2 cup
Oyster sauce	2 tablespoons
Sesame oil	1 tablespoon
Cornstarch	2 tablespoons

Now that you know the essential ingredients, it's time to get cooking!

Cooking Process

Chinese Pata Tim is a delicious dish that requires some patience and attention to detail. The cooking process involves three main steps: preparing the pork, braising the meat, and making the sauce.

Preparation of Pork

To prepare the pork, you will need to clean the pork leg thoroughly and remove any impurities. Then, you can cut the pork leg into smaller pieces for easier cooking. You can use a pressure cooker to speed up the cooking process, but if you don't have one, a regular pot will do.

Once the pork leg is clean and cut, you can marinate it with cooking wine, soy sauce, and other seasonings of your choice. This will help to tenderize the meat and add flavour to the dish.

Braising the Meat

Braising is a cooking method that involves cooking the meat slowly in a liquid. For Pata Tim, you will need to boil the pork leg in a mixture of water, soy sauce, sugar, and other seasonings until it is tender. You can add some ginger and garlic to the mixture for added flavour.

Once the pork leg is tender, you can remove it from the liquid and set it aside. You can then strain the liquid to remove any impurities and use it as a broth for the sauce.

Making the Sauce

To make the sauce, you will need to combine the broth with cornstarch slurry and other seasonings such as sesame oil and Shaoxing wine. Cornstarch slurry is a mixture of cornstarch and water that is used to thicken the sauce.

Once the sauce is ready, you can pour it over the pork leg and let it simmer for a few minutes. This will help to coat the meat with the sauce and give it a rich flavour.

The cooking process for Chinese Pata Tim involves preparing the pork, braising the meat, and making the sauce. By following these steps, you can create a delicious and tender dish that is sure to impress your guests.

Serving and Pairings

Accompaniments

Pata Tim is best served with steamed rice to balance the flavours of the dish. You can also pair it with other leafy vegetables such as bok choy or mushrooms, which add a nice crunch to the dish. You can prepare the vegetables by blanching them in boiling water for a few minutes and then adding them to the dish before serving.

Presentation

To present Pata Tim, you can use a serving dish or a platter. It is best to use a large serving dish or platter to accommodate the whole pork leg. You can also garnish the dish with some chopped scallions or coriander leaves to add some colour and freshness to the dish.

To make the dish look more appetizing, you can arrange the vegetables around the pork leg or on top of it. You can also pour some of the sauce over the pork leg and vegetables to give it a glossy finish.

In summary, Pata Tim is a great main dish that can be served with steamed rice and vegetables. To present it, you can use a large serving dish or platter and garnish it with some chopped scallions or coriander leaves.

Nutritional Information

If you're interested in the nutritional information of Pata Tim, you'll be pleased to know that it's a relatively healthy dish. However, it's important to note that the nutritional content will vary depending on how the dish is prepared and the serving size.

Here's a breakdown of the nutritional information for one serving of Pata Tim:

• Calories: On average, one serving of Pata Tim contains around 580 calories. This is quite high, so it's important to be mindful of your portion sizes if you're watching your calorie intake.

• Protein: One serving of Pata Tim contains around 47 grams of protein. This is a good amount of protein, making it a great option for those looking to increase their protein intake.

• Dietary Information: Pata Tim is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans as it is a pork recipe. However, it is gluten-free and can be made without any dairy products.

• Fat: One serving of Pata Tim contains around 25 grams of fat, with 5 grams being saturated fat. While this may seem high, it's important to remember that the dish is made with pork, which naturally contains fat.

• Sodium: Pata Tim is a salty dish, with one serving containing around 3411 mg of sodium. This is quite high, so it's important to be mindful of your sodium intake if you're watching your blood pressure.

Overall, Pata Tim is a delicious and nutritious dish that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. Just be mindful of your portion sizes and the other foods you're eating throughout the day to ensure you're getting a good balance of nutrients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients are needed for a simple Pata Tim dish?

To make a simple Pata Tim dish, you will need a few basic ingredients. These include pork leg, garlic, onion, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and water. You can also add some spices like star anise, cinnamon, and bay leaves to enhance the flavour of the dish. You can find the complete recipe and instructions online, such as this recipe by Kawaling Pinoy.

How can I make Pata Tim with rice?

Pata Tim can be served with rice as a main course. To make it, simply cook your rice as you normally would. Once the rice is cooked, serve it on a plate and place the Pata Tim on top of the rice. You can also add some vegetables like bok choy or carrots to make the dish more nutritious and colourful.

Could you suggest the best way to cook Pata Tim?

There are many ways to cook Pata Tim, but the best way is to braise it slowly until the meat becomes tender and falls off the bone. You can use a Dutch oven or a large pot to cook the dish. First, brown the pork leg in oil, then add the garlic, onion, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 2-3 hours until the meat is tender. You can find more detailed instructions online, such as this recipe by Foxy Folksy.

What's the authentic method for preparing Pata Tim?

The authentic method for preparing Pata Tim varies depending on the region and the cook. However, the basic ingredients and cooking method remain the same. Pata Tim is a Chinese-inspired dish that is popular in the Philippines. It is made by braising a whole pork leg in a sweet and savoury sauce until the meat becomes tender and falls off the bone. The dish is usually served with rice or steamed buns.

Is it possible to cook Pata Tim in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can cook Pata Tim in a slow cooker. Simply brown the pork leg in a pan, then transfer it to the slow cooker along with the garlic, onion, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and water. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the meat is tender. You can find more detailed instructions online, such as this recipe by Panlasang Pinoy.

How does adding pineapple change the flavour of Pata Tim?

Adding pineapple to Pata Tim can add a sweet and tangy flavour to the dish. Pineapple juice is a common ingredient in Pata Hamonado, which is a similar dish to Pata Tim. You can add pineapple juice or fresh pineapple chunks to the sauce to give it a tropical twist. However, if you prefer a more traditional flavour, you can skip the pineapple and stick to the basic ingredients.