How to Prepare a Traditional Tolima Lechona- A Step-by-Step Guide to Colombian Culinary Delight

Cómo preparar una lechona tolimense

Lechona tolimense is a traditional Colombian dish that originates from the department of Tolima. It is a succulent, flavorful roasted pork dish that is a staple in many Colombian households. Preparing a lechona tolimense requires patience and attention to detail, but the end result is a mouthwatering dish that is sure to impress. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to prepare a lechona tolimense, ensuring that you can enjoy this delicious culinary delight in the comfort of your own home.

Ingredients

To prepare a lechona tolimense, you will need the following ingredients:

– 1 whole pork leg (about 8-10 pounds)
– 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 3 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
– 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
– 1/2 teaspoon of ground allspice
– 1/2 cup of red wine vinegar
– 1/2 cup of water
– 1/2 cup of white vinegar
– 1/2 cup of orange juice
– 1/2 cup of lemon juice
– 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
– 1/2 cup of soy sauce
– 1/2 cup of brown sugar
– 1/2 cup of cornstarch
– 1/2 cup of water
– 1/2 cup of corn oil
– 1/2 cup of lard
– 1/2 cup of chicken stock
– 1/2 cup of tomato paste
– 1/2 cup of green olives, pitted and sliced
– 1/2 cup of capers
– 1/2 cup of green bell peppers, sliced
– 1/2 cup of red bell peppers, sliced
– 1/2 cup of yellow bell peppers, sliced
– 1/2 cup of green onions, chopped
– 1/2 cup of cilantro, chopped
– 1/2 cup of red chilies, chopped
– 1/2 cup of green chilies, chopped
– 1/2 cup of yellow chilies, chopped

Preparation

1. Begin by preparing the pork leg. Remove any excess fat and score the skin in a cross-hatch pattern with a sharp knife. This will help the seasoning to penetrate the meat more effectively.

2. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Add the ground cumin, coriander, oregano, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, and stir to combine.

3. In a separate bowl, mix together the red wine vinegar, water, white vinegar, orange juice, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water. Whisk until the cornstarch has dissolved.

4. Pour the sauce over the pork leg, ensuring that it is well-coated. Add the corn oil and lard, and stir to combine. Add the chicken stock and tomato paste, and stir until smooth.

5. Add the green olives, capers, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, green onions, cilantro, red chilies, green chilies, and yellow chilies to the pot. Stir to combine.

6. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for about 2 hours, or until the pork is tender and falls off the bone.

7. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the pot and place it in a roasting pan. Pour the remaining sauce over the pork, and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.

8. Serve the lechona tolimense hot, garnished with additional cilantro and green onions. Enjoy this delicious dish with a side of rice, beans, and plantains for a complete meal.

Now that you know how to prepare a lechona tolimense, you can impress your friends and family with this authentic Colombian dish. Buon appetito!