Chuletas Ahumadas en Salsa de Jocote
Smoked pork chops simmered in a vibrant and tangy sauce made from jocotes (Honduran plums). This dish offers a unique sweet and sour flavor profile, showcasing the use of local fruits in Honduran savory cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 thick-cut Smoked pork chops
- 2 cups Jocotes (Honduran plums)(ripe, pureed or finely chopped)
- 1/2 Onion(finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 cup Chicken broth or water
- 1/4 cup Cilantro(chopped)
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1-2 tsp Optional: Honey or sugar(to balance tartness)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the smoked pork chops on both sides until nicely browned.
- 2
Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of drippings in the skillet.
💡 Tip: Do not discard the flavorful drippings. - 3
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in the jocote puree or finely chopped jocotes and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- 6
Pour in the chicken broth or water, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
💡 Tip: This deglazing process adds depth of flavor. - 7
Return the pork chops to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the pork chops are tender and cooked through.
- 8
Stir in the chopped cilantro. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional honey or sugar to balance the tartness of the jocotes.
💡 Tip: Jocotes can vary in sweetness and tartness, so adjust sweeteners accordingly. - 9
Serve the pork chops with the jocote sauce spooned over them. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If fresh jocotes are unavailable, you can sometimes find jocote paste or jam, which can be used as a substitute, adjusting sweetness as needed.
- ✓The natural tartness of jocotes is key to this dish; don't be afraid of it.
- ✓This dish pairs well with white rice, mashed potatoes, or fried plantains.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for a hint of heat.
- Incorporate other fruits like tamarind for added complexity.
- Use a splash of vinegar if the jocotes are not tart enough.