Revolcado (Guatemalan Pig's Head Stew)

  • Total time - 3 hours
  • Preparation - 30 minutes
  • Cooking time - 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Servings: 6
  • Country: Guatemala
A hearty, deep red Guatemalan Revolcado stew with chunks of meat and tomato sauce, served in a bowl.

Revolcado is a dish that speaks of history and the fusion of cultures in Guatemala. Its preparation is a ritual that begins with the long cooking of the pig's head. For an authentic flavor, it is essential to properly prepare the recado sauce, which gives the dish its characteristic color and spicy taste. This recipe is just a guide; every cook has their own way and spices.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Revolcado

  • 1 piece pig's head (or 1.5 kg of pork meat)
  • 500 g pork offal (liver, heart) (optional)
  • 500 g fresh tomatoes
  • 250 g miltomate (or green tomatoes)
  • 1 piece red bell pepper
  • 2 pieces chili guaque (or guajillo chili)
  • 1 piece onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon achiote (annatto)
  • 2 pieces bay leaf
  • salt and pepper
  • corn tortilla or breadcrumbs for thickening (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Meat

In a pot with enough water and salt, cook the pig's head (and offal if using). Bring to a boil and simmer until the meat is tender and starts to separate from the bone (about 2 - 2.5 hours). Remove the meat, let it cool, and reserve the broth. Chop or shred the meat into small pieces.

Step 2: Preparing the Recado Sauce

In a dry pot or pan, roast the tomatoes, miltomate, bell pepper, chili guaque, onion, and garlic until slightly charred. Place the roasted ingredients in a blender with some of the reserved meat broth and blend until smooth. Strain the mixture to remove any skins and seeds, and make the sauce smooth.

Step 3: Simmering and Finalizing

In a pot with oil, briefly fry the achiote to release its color. Add the strained recado sauce and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 10-15 minutes. If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken it with a crumbled tortilla or a little breadcrumbs. Add the chopped pork meat and cook for another 15 minutes to let the flavors meld. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Serving

Serve the hot Revolcado with white rice and fresh corn tortillas. It is often garnished with chopped onion and cilantro.