Simpol Pata Tim Recipe

Jennifer Segal

16 May, 2024

Discover the mouthwatering magic of Simpol Pata Tim - a Filipino culinary gem. Get ready for an unforgettable journey into flavor!

Simpol Pata Tim

Publisher: Crisp Recipe
Cuisine: Filipino
Category: Main dish
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2-3 hours
Servings: 8
Calories: 400 calories

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.

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.

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

Simpol Pata Tim

This is a video about Simpol Pata Tim.

Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 58 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.