Dear readers of our website: Today at Paulina Cocina we are going to travel to the region of Murcia in Spain to get to know a typical dish of Spanish gastronomy. You will be surprised to know that our recipe for lean with tomatoes they will also be able to find it as lean with tomato.
Magro con tomate is a classic tapas or appetizer and there is almost no Spanish bar where it is not common to see customers consuming a portion of this recipe.
On the lean with tomatoes, grandmother’s recipe for the holidays
Lean with tomato is Grandma’s recipe for a tasty and comforting stew. It is popular during traditional festivals and festivities in the Murcia region such as Holy Week or the Murcia Fair. In addition to homes, it is served in booths or stands where people gather to enjoy food, music, and celebrations.
Arab influence on the birth of the lean tomato
Spanish cuisine has been influenced by different cultures throughout history, and lean meat with tomato is no exception. This dish is believed to have roots in the arabic cuisinewhich introduced the use of tomato in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages.
The basic ingredients to prepare the lean meat with tomato are: lean pork (usually diced), ripe tomatoes, onion, green pepper, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and spices such as sweet paprika. Some clearly have their origin in Arab culture.
Your presence in Spain
Lean meat with tomato is a traditional and homemade dish which has been passed down from generation to generation in the region of Murcia, in the southeast of Spain. Its origin dates back to rural and peasant cuisine, where accessible and cheap ingredients were used to prepare nutritious dishes.
Lean with tomato is a versatile dish that can be adapted according to personal tastes. Some variants may include the addition of carrots, potatoes, or other vegetables to enrich the stew.
Why lean or lean tomatoes?
The term “slim” refers to lean pork, that is, meat with a low fat. This makes the lean with tomato a healthier option compared to other pork dishes that use fattier cuts.
How do you make lean meat with tomato?
To prepare the lean with tomato, it is important to take into account some points. It starts with a stir-fry, then the pork is added and then the tomatoes are added along with paprika and other spices to taste. Let it cook over low heat for about an hour so that the flavors blend and the meat softens.
5 tips to make pork tender
- Choosing the right meat: Opt for lean, which is a type of lean pork, without a specific associated cut. The recommended parts of the pig are usually the loin, shoulder or sirloin. These parts are more tender and have less fat, which contributes to a smoother texture.
- Marinate the meat: Before cooking the lean, marinate for a few hours or even overnight in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, spices and aromatic herbs. This will help tenderize the meat and enhance its flavor.
- cook over low heat: Lean meat with tomato benefits from slow cooking over low heat. This allows the flavors to blend and the meat to gradually soften. Slow cooking helps break down the fibers of the meat, resulting in a more tender and juicy texture.
- Use wet cooking methods: You can choose to cook the lean with tomato in a pressure cooker, in a slow cooker or in a casserole with a lid. These wet cooking methods allow the meat to cook slowly in its own juices, which contributes to a more tender texture.
- Adding ingredients that help tenderize the meat: Some ingredients, such as vinegar, red wine, or pineapple juice, contain natural enzymes that can help tenderize meat. You can add a little of these ingredients to your lean recipe with tomato to obtain a more tender texture.
Lean recipe with easy tomato
The lean meat stew with tomato is an easy recipe that cooks over low heat, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to gradually soften. Cooking time can vary based on preferences and desired texture. In this sense, we only need patience to enjoy this stew.
Yield: 4 portions
Preparation time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 500 g diced lean pork
- 4 ripe tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bay leaf
How to make lean with tomato in 5 easy steps
- In a large pot or deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, green pepper and garlic. Cook until tender and lightly golden.
- Add the diced lean pork and season to taste. Cook until the meat is browned on all sides. Then add the chopped ripe tomatoes. Mix well.
- Sprinkle the paprika over the mixture and add the bay leaf. Stir to distribute the flavors. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover pot. Cook over low heat for about 1 hour, until the meat is tender.
- For a thicker sauce, mash some of the sauce with a hand blender or stir some of the meat pieces to break them up.
- Rectify the seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary. Serve the lean meat with hot tomato accompanied by white rice, potatoes or bread.
Source: www.paulinacocina.net
