Mumu Pork with Greens
A traditional Mumu dish where pork and root vegetables are slow-cooked in an earth oven with fresh greens, imparting a unique smoky flavor and tender texture.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Pork belly(cut into large chunks)
- 1 kg Sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 500 g Taro(peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 4 large Bananas(unpeeled, cut in half)
- 500 g Spinach or other leafy greens(washed and roughly chopped)
- 400 ml Coconut milk(full fat)
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 6-8 pieces Banana leaves or large foil sheets(for wrapping)
- sufficient for cooking Hot stones or coals
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Mumu pit: Dig a hole in the ground, line it with hot stones or coals. Ensure there's enough heat to cook the food.
💡 Tip: Allow stones to heat for at least 1 hour. - 2
Season the pork chunks generously with salt and pepper.
- 3
Layer the ingredients: Place a layer of banana leaves or foil at the bottom of the pit. Add the sweet potatoes and taro, followed by the seasoned pork. Top with the halved bananas and then the greens.
💡 Tip: Ensure even distribution of ingredients for uniform cooking. - 4
Pour the coconut milk over the ingredients. Wrap everything tightly with more banana leaves or foil to create a sealed package.
- 5
Place the wrapped food package directly onto the hot stones in the Mumu pit. Cover with more leaves or foil, then with soil.
💡 Tip: The soil acts as an insulator, trapping the heat. - 6
Cook for approximately 3 hours, or until the pork is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Carefully unearth the Mumu.
💡 Tip: Use tongs to carefully remove the hot package from the pit. - 7
Unwrap the Mumu and serve hot, ensuring to spoon some of the delicious juices over the pork and vegetables.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If an earth oven is not feasible, a large Dutch oven or a makeshift oven using rocks and a fire can be used.
- ✓Adjust cooking time based on the size of the food pieces and the heat of the stones.
- ✓Experiment with different root vegetables like yams or cassava.
🔄 Variations
- Add chicken or fish alongside the pork.
- Incorporate other local greens like 'aibika' or water spinach.