Pork and Pineapple Adobo

Directions

1. 1
   Cut the pork belly into two-inch cubes.
2. 2
   Place the pork cubes in a wide shallow pan, add the crushed garlic, crushed peppercorns and bay leaf.
3. 3
   Pour in 1/4 cup vinegar. Set the heat on high and bring to the boil without stirring.
4. 4
   Continue boiling, uncovered, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the pork starts to render fat.
5. 5
   Stir and cook until the edges of the pork start to brown.
6. 6
   With the heat still on high, pour in 1/4 cup soy sauce and about a quarter cup of water. Bring to the boil.
7. 7
   Stir in half of the pineapple chunks.
8. 8
   Lower the heat, cover and simmer the adobo with occasional stirring for an hour to an hour and a half or until the pork is very tender and the liquid considerably reduced.
9. 9
   Optionally, for more flavor concentration, uncover the pan, turn up the heat and continue cooking the adobo, stirring often, until quite dry. Be careful though because the pineapple contains sugar and the mixture can burn fast if left unattended.
10. 10
    Off the heat, toss in the remaining pineapple chunks.
11. 11
    Serve the pork and pineapple adobo over rice topped with torn cilantro and with hard-boiled eggs on the side, if you wish.