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Mofongo
Season the pork belly cubes with a teaspoon of salt. Put them in a cold frying pan with a splash of water, bring to a sizzle and cook over medium heat 20 to 25 minutes, turning, until the fat renders and the pieces are brown and crisp. Drain and chop roughly.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Mofongo take?
50 min all in — 20 min prep, 30 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 domes. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Dairy-free, Gluten-free.
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
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What equipment do I need?
Mortar and pestle, Frying pan, Spider or strainer.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 2 tsp.
What can I use instead?
Pork belly → Bacon fried crisp, or omit. Mofongo without pork and with more garlic oil is common as a side for fish.
What should I watch for?
Work fast. Cold fried plantain will not mash, it crumbles.
Any tips from this recipe?
Mofongo relleno: press the mash into a bowl, hollow out the middle and fill with shrimp in garlic sauce or stewed chicken before turning out. If it is too dry to hold, add more garlic oil or a spoon of the hot broth, not water. Leftover mofongo is best reheated by frying slices in a little oil until crisp.
Can I prepare this ahead?
Leftover mofongo is best reheated by frying slices in a little oil until crisp.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.