Name: Grilled Pork Skewers
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 8 h 55 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1/2 pound boneless pork shoulder; 1/2 pound pork belly; 8 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup soy sauce; 1 cup tomato ketchup; 1 (12-ounce) can lemon-lime soda; 1/4 cup lemon juice; 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 pinch salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/2 cup brown sugar; Steamed rice; Pickles

1 Using a sharp knife, slice the pork into 1-inch-long pieces that are 1/2-inch thick. Leave some of the fat on the meat for flavor and tenderness.

2 In a large bowl, combine the sliced pork pieces with the marinade ingredients: minced garlic, soy sauce, ketchup, soda, calamansi (or lemon) juice, sesame oil, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Massage the meat, incorporating the marinade well. Store in a covered plastic container or a resealable large freezer bag. Keep refrigerated overnight.

3 Clean the grill grates well. Before lighting, spray a thin veil of cooking spray over the grates to prevent the meat from sticking. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, at least 10 to 15 minutes for a gas grill.

4 Slide the marinated pork pieces onto skewers. Thread about 5 pork pieces on each small wooden skewer (more if you’re using bigger skewers, but do not crowd them), placing a fatty piece on top.

5 Pour 1 cup of the marinade into a small saucepan. Simmer for about 5 minutes over medium-high heat. Add the brown sugar and mix well. Remove from the heat and set aside.

6 Place the pork skewers directly on the preheated grill grates. Line up the skewers side by side without overlapping. Brush with the sauce every so often. Cook the pork skewers for 3 to 4 minutes. Use barbecue tongs to flip the skewers and grill another 3 to 4 minutes on the other side, painting with sauce. When done, the edges will be slightly charred and the middle of the pieces should be soft, juicy, and cooked through.

7 Serve immediately on their own as an appetizer or as a main course with rice and achara on the side. Leftover grilled pork skewers can be kept, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To freeze, cover in plastic wrap and foil tightly and store for up to 1 month. Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!