Pork shoulder with vegetables and natural rice is a delicious and comforting recipe, perfect for family meals or for moments when you want to indulge in a savory dish that is easy to prepare. This recipe combines the rich flavors of the meat with the freshness of the vegetables, offering a balance of tastes that will delight your taste buds. Let's discover together how to prepare this special dish!
Preparation time
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the pork shoulder with vegetables
- 800 g pork shoulder
- 1 kg ripe tomatoes
- 2 medium onions
- 2 bell peppers (any color)
- 2 garlic cloves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley, for garnish
For the rice side dish
- 200 g rice
- 500 ml water
- Salt, to taste
Brief history
Pork shoulder with vegetables is a traditional dish that has been cooked in many households for generations. This recipe reflects the simplicity and richness of seasonal ingredients, being an excellent way to use fresh vegetables. Rice, as a side dish, adds a note of consistency and is a perfect complement to the juicy meat.
Step by step
1. Preparing the meat
- Start by washing the pork shoulder well. Then, cut the meat into suitable portions so that it cooks evenly.
- Place the meat in a large pot and add 100 ml of water. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer on low heat. It is essential not to raise the temperature too much to avoid drying out the meat.
2. Preparing the vegetables
- Meanwhile, prepare the tomatoes. To peel them easily, blanch them for 1-2 minutes in boiling water, then transfer them immediately to cold water. The skin will come off effortlessly.
- Cut the peeled tomatoes into pieces and add them to the pot with the meat when the water decreases.
- Peel and slice the onion thinly, and cut the bell peppers into larger pieces. Add these to the pot as well.
- Finely chop the garlic cloves and add them to the mixture. These ingredients will add intense and delicious flavors.
3. Seasoning
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix the ingredients well and let them simmer on low heat, covered, for about 40-50 minutes, until the meat becomes tender and a thick sauce forms from the juice released by the tomatoes.
4. Preparing the rice
- In another pot, bring the water to a boil. Add salt to taste, and when the water is boiling, add the rice.
- Cook the rice on low heat, covered, for about 20 minutes or until it becomes fluffy and all the water has been absorbed. Finally, rinse the rice with cold water to stop the cooking process and improve its texture.
5. Serving
- Choose molds for the rice (or you can use a bowl) and grease them with a little oil to prevent sticking. Fill them with the cooked rice and invert them onto plates.
- Add the meat with vegetables on top of the rice, then sprinkle chopped fresh parsley for an extra touch of freshness.
- Serve the dish alongside a salad of fresh cucumbers, a beet salad, or pickled cucumbers for a contrast of textures and flavors.
Useful tips
- Choosing the meat: Choose a pork shoulder with a thin layer of fat. This will contribute to the juiciness of the dish.
- Vegetables: You can experiment with different seasonal vegetables, such as carrots, zucchini, or even eggplants, to add variety.
- Variations: Instead of rice, you can serve this dish with mashed potatoes or polenta for a traditional option.
- Beverages: This dish pairs wonderfully with red wine, dry white wine, or even mint iced tea, depending on your preferences.
Nutritional benefits
Pork shoulder is an excellent source of protein and contains B vitamins, which are essential for energy metabolism. Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, especially lycopene, which contributes to heart health. The vegetables add fiber and essential vitamins, making this dish a healthy choice.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use chicken instead of pork?
Yes, you can adapt the recipe using chicken, but the cooking time will be shorter.
- What can I do with leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and consumed the next day, being just as delicious. You can also turn the leftovers into a sandwich or a salad.
- How can I make the sauce thicker?
If you want a thicker sauce, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in a little water in the last minutes of cooking.
I hope you feel inspired to cook this simple and delicious recipe of pork shoulder with vegetables and natural rice! Every bite will be an explosion of flavors, and the dish will surely bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones and yourself. Bon appétit!
Preparation time
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the pork shoulder with vegetables
- 800 g pork shoulder
- 1 kg ripe tomatoes
- 2 medium onions
- 2 bell peppers (any color)
- 2 garlic cloves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley, for garnish
For the rice side dish
- 200 g rice
- 500 ml water
- Salt, to taste
Brief history
Pork shoulder with vegetables is a traditional dish that has been cooked in many households for generations. This recipe reflects the simplicity and richness of seasonal ingredients, being an excellent way to use fresh vegetables. Rice, as a side dish, adds a note of consistency and is a perfect complement to the juicy meat.
Step by step
1. Preparing the meat
- Start by washing the pork shoulder well. Then, cut the meat into suitable portions so that it cooks evenly.
- Place the meat in a large pot and add 100 ml of water. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer on low heat. It is essential not to raise the temperature too much to avoid drying out the meat.
2. Preparing the vegetables
- Meanwhile, prepare the tomatoes. To peel them easily, blanch them for 1-2 minutes in boiling water, then transfer them immediately to cold water. The skin will come off effortlessly.
- Cut the peeled tomatoes into pieces and add them to the pot with the meat when the water decreases.
- Peel and slice the onion thinly, and cut the bell peppers into larger pieces. Add these to the pot as well.
- Finely chop the garlic cloves and add them to the mixture. These ingredients will add intense and delicious flavors.
3. Seasoning
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix the ingredients well and let them simmer on low heat, covered, for about 40-50 minutes, until the meat becomes tender and a thick sauce forms from the juice released by the tomatoes.
4. Preparing the rice
- In another pot, bring the water to a boil. Add salt to taste, and when the water is boiling, add the rice.
- Cook the rice on low heat, covered, for about 20 minutes or until it becomes fluffy and all the water has been absorbed. Finally, rinse the rice with cold water to stop the cooking process and improve its texture.
5. Serving
- Choose molds for the rice (or you can use a bowl) and grease them with a little oil to prevent sticking. Fill them with the cooked rice and invert them onto plates.
- Add the meat with vegetables on top of the rice, then sprinkle chopped fresh parsley for an extra touch of freshness.
- Serve the dish alongside a salad of fresh cucumbers, a beet salad, or pickled cucumbers for a contrast of textures and flavors.
Useful tips
- Choosing the meat: Choose a pork shoulder with a thin layer of fat. This will contribute to the juiciness of the dish.
- Vegetables: You can experiment with different seasonal vegetables, such as carrots, zucchini, or even eggplants, to add variety.
- Variations: Instead of rice, you can serve this dish with mashed potatoes or polenta for a traditional option.
- Beverages: This dish pairs wonderfully with red wine, dry white wine, or even mint iced tea, depending on your preferences.
Nutritional benefits
Pork shoulder is an excellent source of protein and contains B vitamins, which are essential for energy metabolism. Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, especially lycopene, which contributes to heart health. The vegetables add fiber and essential vitamins, making this dish a healthy choice.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use chicken instead of pork?
Yes, you can adapt the recipe using chicken, but the cooking time will be shorter.
- What can I do with leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and consumed the next day, being just as delicious. You can also turn the leftovers into a sandwich or a salad.
- How can I make the sauce thicker?
If you want a thicker sauce, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in a little water in the last minutes of cooking.
I hope you feel inspired to cook this simple and delicious recipe of pork shoulder with vegetables and natural rice! Every bite will be an explosion of flavors, and the dish will surely bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones and yourself. Bon appétit!