Entree: Papua New Guinea – Southern Culinary Region – Kaukau (Baked sweet potato and pork prepared in an earth-oven style as a hearty Papua New Guinean main)

Food safety reminder: Follow safe food-handling practices and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 15 min

Cook 1 hr

Total 1 hr 15 min

Ingredients

- 6 medium sweet potatoes (about 3 lb / 1.4 kg)
- 1 lb (454 g) pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes
- 1 large onion, sliced — about 8 oz (225 g)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced — about 0.2 oz (6 g)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp (5 g) sea salt
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup (240 ml) coconut milk
- 8 oz (225 g) leafy greens such as spinach or local greens, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice
- 2 banana leaves or large foil sheets for wrapping (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). If using banana leaves, wilt them briefly over a flame or in hot water so they are pliable.
2. Toss the pork cubes with 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) salt and 1/4 tsp (1 g) pepper. Heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat and brown the pork on all sides, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and minced garlic and cook until softened and translucent, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in the soy sauce and lime juice, then remove from heat.
4. Peel and halve the sweet potatoes lengthwise if large. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, browned pork, sautéed onion mixture, coconut milk, chopped greens, remaining salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat.
5. Transfer the mixture to a large ovenproof baking dish. If using banana leaves, line the dish with leaves and fold another leaf over the top; alternatively cover tightly with foil to trap steam.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 45–60 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender and pork is cooked through, basting once with pan juices halfway through.
7. Remove the cover and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to develop light browning. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Serve family-style with extra greens or boiled root vegetables as desired.