Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transport your taste buds straight to the vibrant streets of India with this extraordinary Instant Pot Indian Pork Cheeks Stew! Imagine tender, succulent pork cheeks bathed in a rich, aromatic coconut milk sauce, infused with a symphony of traditional Indian spices that will make your kitchen smell like a gourmet restaurant. This isn't just a recipe; it's a flavor explosion that promises to revolutionize your dinner routine and impress even the most discerning food lovers.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork cheeks
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 cup coconut milk
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by patting pork cheeks dry with paper towels and seasoning generously with salt, coriander powder, and turmeric.
- Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode and heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Brown pork cheeks on all sides for 3-4 minutes until golden, then remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add diced onions and sauté until translucent and lightly caramelized.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until aromatic.
- Stir in chopped tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start breaking down and releasing their juices.
- Return browned pork cheeks to the pot and add coconut milk, garam masala, and additional salt if needed.
- Close Instant Pot lid, set valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes.
- Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully quick release remaining pressure.
- Open lid and check meat tenderness. If needed, cook for additional 5-10 minutes.
- Let stew rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.
- Serve hot with steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread.
Tips
- Pat the pork cheeks completely dry before seasoning to ensure perfect browning and maximum flavor development.
- Use fresh, whole spices when possible - they'll provide a more intense and authentic flavor profile compared to pre-ground spices.
- Don't rush the caramelization of onions; this step builds a deep, complex flavor base for your stew.
- For extra tenderness, choose pork cheeks with some marbling, which will help keep the meat moist during pressure cooking.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can use the Sauté function after cooking to reduce the liquid or add a cornstarch slurry.
- Allow the stew to rest for a few minutes after cooking to let the flavors meld and the meat relax, ensuring maximum tenderness.
- For best results, serve immediately with freshly steamed basmati rice or warm, pillowy naan bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 548kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: g
Fat: 40g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 120mg
