Let’s Cook Crispy Pata at Home

So, would you also love to have a crispy pata like my family and me at Amber restaurant? I feel you; the craving for this delicious dish is uncontrollable, isn’t it? 

There’s just something about that crispy skin and tender meat that makes it irresistible. It’s made with pork leg covered in spices and boiled in water alongside garlic, bay leaves, and onion. 

Once cooked, it will be a whole treat with my secret dipping sauce recipe. You can also enjoy the dish with papaya atchara (the choice is up to you). If you want to make this at home, scroll the page a bit, as I’ll spill the secret of my Crispy Pata recipe!

Price and serving options on Amber’s menu:

What Makes Crispy Pata Irresistible?

What makes our family come back for more Crispy Pata at Amber Restaurant is the flavorful, crunchy skin. I’ve tried the same dish at many restaurants, but only a few have the real crunchy Pata. 

I did some research on this secret recipe and found the ingredients and cooking methods that can give you the same taste at your home. So let’s try it! 

Tender Meat:

The key to achieving tender meat texture is the cooking process. The pork leg is first simmered in a blend of spices, such as garlic, bay leaves, and onions until the meat becomes tender while boiling.

Cooling/Freezing the Leg:

After boiling, the game-changer (or as I say the taste changer) process is the freezing part. The leg remains in the freezer overnight or for at least 6–8 hours to help dry out the skin.

Sauces:

A dipping sauce is a must for a memorable experience. I make the sauce by mixing vinegar, soy sauce, crushed peppercorn, Siling labuyo, and red onion. Trust me; this sauce will give extra flavor to every bite. 

Customization:

Remember to order beverages to enjoy this flavorful dish. My son loves the tangy flavor of orange juice with crispy pata, but I always go with a Tetra juice drink for a refreshing taste. You can choose other options on the menu card!

Let’s Make the Best Crispy Pata at Home

Since this dish is my family’s favorite, I tried it countless times at home until I got the same restaurant taste. Here’s what I did:

Key Ingredients:

• 1 whole pork leg (1.5 to 1.8kg)
• 1 head garlic
• 1 small onion 
• 1 ginger 
• ⅓ cup of vinegar 
• 6 to 7 cups of water
• 4 cups cooking oil  
• Iyle water

Spices:

• Salt for taste 
• ⅓  of rock salt 
• A few star anise
• One tablespoon peppercorns 
• 2 to 3 bay leaves

Serving:

• Dip sauce:
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed peppercorns
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small hot chopped chili pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. First, add ginger, garlic, and onion to a bowl (big enough to fit the pork leg). Place the pork leg inside the bowl and pour six to seven cups of water. 
2. Add salt (according to your taste), peppercorns, star anise, bay leaves, and vinegar to the water. Cover the pot and let the leg boil for an hour or more until the meat and skin become tender (not too much). 
3. Remember to turn the leg after some time to tenderize both sides equally.
4. Remove the pork leg from the bowl, place it on a clean rack to drain the water, and let it rest peacefully for up to 30 minutes.
5. Take a few tablespoons of lye water in a small bowl and brush the pork leg skin with it. For extra crispiness, leave the leg in the fridge overnight (or at least for up to 5 hours).
6. After the overnight rest, brush the skin again, but this time with vinegar. Rub rock salt on the skin and let it rest for half an hour. Then, remove the salt from the skin with a paper towel.
7. Take another bowl (big one), place it on the stove, turn it on, and add oil. Make sure the oil is really hot, then carefully place the leg in the bowl for deep-frying at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes, or until all sides become golden brown.
8. Carefully (without burning your hands) transfer the Crispy Pata to a serving plate and enjoy it with dipping sauce. 
9. Here’s my family recipe for dipping sauce: 
   • Mix vinegar, soy sauce, crushed peppercorn, red onion, and chili labuyo, and enjoy this with Crispy Pata.

Crispy Pata Nutritional Profile