Simpol Pata Tim Recipe
Discover the mouthwatering magic of Simpol Pata Tim - a Filipino culinary gem. Get ready for an unforgettable journey into flavor!
- Publisher: Crisp Recipe
- Cuisine: Filipino
- Category: Main dish
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 8
- Calories: 400 calories
Simpol Pata Tim
Simpol Pata Tim is a classic Filipino dish known for its rich and savory-sweet flavors. This dish primarily features a succulent pork leg, which is slowly braised to tender perfection in a delectable sauce.
The key to a good Pata Tim is achieving that perfect balance between the savory depth of soy sauce and the sweetness of brown sugar.
The dish is further elevated by the aromatic blend of star anise and cinnamon, which infuse the meat with a delightful, fragrant essence.
Simpol Pata Tim is a rich, slow-braised pork leg dish that brings together the best of Filipino comfort cooking with a clear Chinese influence. It’s a simplified version of the traditional pata tim, made famous through the approachable, no-fuss cooking style of Chef Tatung Sarthou’s Simpol brand. This dish takes what could easily be a half-day kitchen project and turns it into something home cooks can pull off without stress—but without losing that deep, fall-apart tenderness and sweet-salty flavor that makes pata tim so beloved at Filipino gatherings.
At its heart, Simpol Pata Tim uses a few key players: pork pata (front leg or hock), soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, star anise, and brown sugar. Some versions add banana blossoms, mushrooms, or Chinese wine, but the simplified take pares it down to essentials without compromising flavor. The pork is simmered gently until the collagen-rich skin and tendons turn into gelatinous gold and the meat slides off the bone with zero resistance. The sauce thickens into this dark, syrupy glaze that clings to everything on your plate.
The taste? Imagine savory soy and oyster notes softened by a mellow sweetness, with that warm, almost tea-like aroma from the star anise sneaking through. The meat itself is luxuriously soft, but not mushy—think of the most satisfying bite of pork belly, then multiply that by ten. You don’t need a knife—just a fork or even a spoon will do. And it goes without saying: this is a rice magnet. That sauce alone could sell the whole dish.
Pata tim is usually served warm and generously spooned over heaps of steamed white rice. Some families pair it with blanched pechay (bok choy) or mushrooms to round it out. You can store leftovers in the fridge for a few days—it actually gets better the next day, when the sauce soaks in deeper. Just reheat it low and slow on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water to loosen up the sauce. The fat firms up when cold, but melts right back into silky goodness once warmed.
From a nutritional angle, let’s be honest—it’s indulgent. There’s fat, for sure, especially if you love the skin (and who doesn’t?). But there’s also iron, protein, and a fair bit of collagen, which people swear by for joint and skin health. It’s not something you eat every day, but when you do? It feels like you’re treating yourself right.
Pata Tim is a dish commonly enjoyed during special occasions and family gatherings in the Philippines. Its name, "Pata," refers to the pork leg, while "Tim" likely derives from the Chinese term "tim" which means "stew." The dish embodies a fusion of Filipino and Chinese culinary influences, reflecting the long history of trade and cultural exchange between the two regions.
Serving Pata Tim is a hearty and satisfying experience. The pork leg, with its tender and flavorful meat, is traditionally presented with the thickened, syrupy sauce drizzled over it. It's often accompanied by steamed rice, and the combination of tender pork and the flavorful sauce creates a mouthwatering taste that's sure to please the palate.
Pata Tim is a prime example of Filipino comfort food, loved for its rich and indulgent flavors that bring people together for a delightful dining experience.
Simpol Pata Tim stands out because it respects tradition while making it doable. You don’t need fancy ingredients or a long prep list—just patience and a good pot. If you’ve never made it at home, you’re in for a satisfying win. Check out the recipe below and bring that rich, slow-braised joy to your table.
Recipe
Indulge in the best Simpol Pata Tim recipe! Learn the secrets to creating this Filipino masterpiece. Your taste buds will thank you."
Ingredients
- 1 pork leg (about 2-3 pounds)
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2-3 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 5 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking oil for frying
Method Instructions
- Start by cleaning and preparing the pork leg. You can have the butcher cut it into serving-sized pieces if you prefer.
- Heat some cooking oil in a large, deep pan or pot. Brown the pork leg pieces on all sides. This adds flavor to the dish.
- Remove the browned pork from the pot and set it aside. In the same pot, sauté the minced garlic and chopped onion until fragrant and translucent.
- Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, star anise, and cinnamon stick to the pot. Stir well to dissolve the sugar and combine the ingredients.
- Return the browned pork to the pot and mix it with the sauce. Pour in the water, ensuring the pork is submerged.
- Cover the pot and let it simmer over low heat for about 2-3 hours or until the pork is tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed.
- Once the pork is tender, remove it from the pot and set it aside. Continue simmering the sauce until it thickens to your desired consistency. You can add a bit of cornstarch mixed with water to help thicken the sauce if needed.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the pork back into the thickened sauce, and let it simmer for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve your delicious Pata Tim with steamed rice, and enjoy!
Recipe Video
This is a video about Simpol Pata Tim.
Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 758 reviews.
Recipe Tags: Simpol Pata Tim, Simpol Pata Tim Recipe, Recipe
Servings
Serving Simpol Pata Tim is a delightful experience. Here's how to do it:
- Presentation: Carefully remove the pork leg from the pot, and place it on a serving platter. You can arrange the pork pieces neatly to make it look appealing.
- Sauce: Spoon the thickened sauce from the pot over the pork. The sauce is a key component of Pata Tim, and it should be generously drizzled over the meat to infuse it with rich flavors.
- Garnish: For added visual appeal and flavor, you can garnish your Pata Tim with some chopped green onions or fresh parsley. This adds a touch of freshness to the dish.
- Accompaniments: Serve your Pata Tim with steamed rice. It's a classic pairing that complements the savory-sweet flavors of the dish. You can also include some sautéed bok choy or other leafy greens as a side vegetable dish.
- Family Style: Pata Tim is often served family-style, with everyone at the table helping themselves. You can place the serving platter in the center of the table and let your guests take the portions they desire.
- Enjoy: Encourage your guests to savor the tender, flavorful pork and the delicious sauce. The combination of the succulent meat and the savory-sweet sauce is a true delight.
Tips
- Choose the Right Pork: Select a good-quality pork leg for this dish. You can ask your butcher to cut it into serving-sized pieces. Ensure that the meat is fresh and not overly fatty.
- Browning the Pork: Take your time to brown the pork leg in the initial steps. This step adds depth of flavor to the dish. Don't rush it, and let the meat develop a nice caramelization.
- Balancing Sweetness and Saltiness: The balance between the sweetness from the brown sugar and the saltiness from the soy sauce is crucial. Taste the sauce as it simmers and adjust the sugar or soy sauce to your liking.
- Braising Time: Be patient with the braising process. Slow-cooking is what makes Pata Tim tender and flavorful. You'll know it's done when the meat is easily pierced with a fork.
- Aromatics: The star anise and cinnamon provide a unique aroma to the dish. Be cautious with the amount; too much can be overwhelming. You can remove them when the desired flavor is achieved.
- Thickening the Sauce: If the sauce isn't thickening to your liking, you can make a slurry of cornstarch and water and add it to the sauce. This will help thicken it up.
- Serving with Rice: Pata Tim is traditionally served with steamed rice. Prepare a pot of fluffy, aromatic rice to complement the flavors of the dish.
- Make Ahead: Pata Tim actually tastes better the day after it's made. So, if possible, prepare it a day in advance and reheat it before serving.
- Leftovers: This dish reheats well, and any leftovers can be enjoyed for a few days. The flavors tend to meld together even more, making it even tastier.
- Experiment: Feel free to experiment with the recipe to suit your preferences. Some people like to add vegetables like mushrooms or bok choy to the dish for added variety.
Ingredient Substitutes
And, if you don't have some of the ingredients for Simpol Pata Tim or are looking for alternatives, here are some substitutes you can consider:
- Pork Leg: If you can't find a pork leg, you can use pork hocks or other cuts of pork that are suitable for braising. Pork belly can also work, although it will result in a different texture.
- Soy Sauce: You can use low-sodium soy sauce or Tamari as a substitute for regular soy sauce. Keep in mind that low-sodium soy sauce will be less salty, so adjust the saltiness accordingly.
- Brown Sugar: If you don't have brown sugar, you can use white sugar, honey, or molasses as a sweetener. Brown sugar substitutes like coconut sugar or palm sugar can also be used.
- Star Anise: Anise seeds or fennel seeds can be used as an alternative to star anise. They provide a similar licorice-like flavor.
- Cinnamon Stick: Ground cinnamon can be used in place of a cinnamon stick. Use it sparingly as ground cinnamon is more concentrated in flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is ideal, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch. Just adjust the quantity as the powder is more concentrated.
- Onion: Substitute with onion powder or dried minced onion if you don't have fresh onions available.
- Water: If you prefer a richer flavor, you can substitute water with chicken or beef broth for extra depth in the sauce.
- Cooking Oil: Use any neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil for browning the pork.
- Cornstarch: If you need to thicken the sauce and don't have cornstarch, you can use arrowroot powder, potato starch, or tapioca starch as a thickening agent.
- Vegetables: While not traditional, you can add vegetables like shiitake mushrooms, baby bok choy, or broccoli to the dish for added flavor and nutrition.
Remarks
As you savor each bite of Simpol Pata Tim, embrace the fusion of flavors that make this dish truly special. Enjoy the culinary adventure!