Tocino is originally a Pampangan dish (Pampanga is located in the central part of Luzon, Philippines), but over time, this flavorful marinated meat, has turned into a national favorite, perhaps even worldwide. It’s a typical Filipino breakfast dish, which is usually served with eggs, steamed or fried rice and some sliced tomatoes on the side. Having this combo for breakfast is obviously a heavy meal, so, maybe you’ll be full till dinner time. 
This sweet, marinated pork belly is a favorite, but we’re not focusing on how Tocino is made. We just want to share a little bit of how to cook a pre-made, perfect Tocino dish for breakfast.
Ingredients: 2-3 servings
1 packet of Tocino can produce 2-3 servings
1/4 cup water
2 tsp cooking oil (optional)
1 small sliced tomato
3 eggs, scrambled or over easy
2-3 cups steamed or fried rice
Cooking Procedure:
- Assuming Tocino is coming from the freezer, thaw it first, then cut Tocino in smaller pieces. Place meat on a frying pan, organize them by letting each meat lay flat side by side, while maintaining a space in between each other.
- Pour enough amount of water where meat ends below water level. Heat stove and simply let the Tocino meat boil for at least 15 minutes without allowing water to drain. Stir occasionally. After 15 minutes, flip meat once to allow the other side to cook evenly.
- Continue to simmer while stirring occasionally for another 10 minutes, or until water dries up. As it drains, caramelized sauce will appear from the meat.
- Caramel sauce burns easily from the heat, so, continue to stir occasionally, check the bottom side to see if meat is fully cooked. If so, flip each piece one more time to fully cook each side. Tocino will appear reddish-brown with slight burns on each corner, when cooked.
- Make sure not to overcook Tocino or it will not result to the great taste you desire it to be. Meat should be fork tender when perfectly done.
- Turn off heat, transfer Tocino to a serving plate. Serve it hot with scrambled or easy over eggs and steamed or fried rice.
- For a simple fried rice, just sauté 2 minced garlic on cooking oil, add steamed rice and stir fry for 10 minutes or until garlic is cooked, and rice is slightly browned. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to season. Serve this tasty, marinated pork belly hot.
Tip: Ready-to-cook, sweet pork Tocino are sold in Asian stores only. Best dip for tocino is spicy vinegar with small amount of fish sauce, but tomatoes alone is also good. Also, for fried rice, you can use butter instead of oil to cook, if you wish, so.