How to make torreznos, a recipe that is healthier than you think.

Total: 35 min

Before you tell me everything, I remind you that the fact that a food is healthy does not imply that it is low in calories, the only thing that when it comes to high-calorie foods as is the case of torreznos, you have to make a moderate consumption.

The torrezno, illustrious ambassador of the gastronomy of Soria (Spain), is a barely processed product that contains no carbohydrates, no sugars or sodium, is rich in vitamins and minerals and a hypercaloric food, hence its well-known name of “Sorian energy bars”.

Much has been said about the gastronomic product in fashion, the Torrezno de Soria, the culinary ambassador of the province and of all Castilla y León. One of the most prestigious tapas, praised by restaurateurs, great chefs and anonymous palates. But it has also received criticism due to its nutritional value, often due to ignorance and unfounded, based on the black legend due to its comparison with ultra-processed snacks that are only pork rind or fried bacon. But it is not so, the consumption of Torrezno de Soria can also be healthy.

Torrezno de Soria is only naturally marinated and cured pork, minimally processed industrially, with zero sugars and containing only good fat, the one from pork meat. In its elaboration, almost handmade, the producers of Torreznos de Soria always select the best part of the pig (what is known as the “ventresca del cerdo”) to make the bacon that will later become the exquisite Torreznos.

A piece of Torrezno de Soria must always have a proportion of rind, lean and streaky bacon, and according to the quality standards that govern the Marca de Garantía, the proportion of lean must be over 50%. Therefore, it is always necessary to keep an eye on all those products that call themselves torreznos, whose production is industrial and contain a high percentage of bacon or are only pork rind.

Healthy fat if consumed in moderation

Torrezno de Soria is known as the “energy bars” for being a food with a high caloric value, around 450 kcal. per 100 grams but, when frying it, and according to a study carried out by the Department of Biology and Health Science of the University of the Balearic Islands, it reduces around 40% of those kilocalories. In this way, a piece of Torrezno de Soria of 100 grams to consume can have between 260 and 280 kcal. and contributes to our diet 20 percent of the necessary proteins.

Other nutritional information to include in the Torrezno de Soria is that it does not contain carbohydrates or sugars and is low in sodium. Neither are additives or colorings used in its preparation, nor trans fats and as it is only pork it provides vitamins B, C and D, calcium, minerals such as phosphorus and iron.

There is no doubt that Torrezno de Soria comes from pork and, like all meat, it contains a certain amount of fat, but these are healthy fatty acids, i.e. monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats with low cholesterol levels. A fat that the British Journal of Sports Medicine considers appropriate for the diet consumed in moderation.

The Torrezno de Soria Guarantee Brand not only looks after the image of this product, but also carries out continuous quality audits to ensure that the raw material meets specific standards and that the production process follows tradition. All in order to reach the consumer, either as a precooked product as fresh bacon in butcher shops for frying or as a product already fried and prepared in the catering industry, with the highest quality and with that flavor and crunch that make it unique.

It is usually taken as an appetizer, accompanied with other foods such as crumbs, creams or Vegetable Recipes with high fiber content. Like everything else, moderate consumption is recommended and always lead a healthy life, with a balanced and varied diet and exercise.

The Torrezno de Soria is one of the most prestigious products that is acquiring in recent years in the cuisine of Castilla y León. Since the creation of the Torrezno de Soria Guarantee Brand in 2013, more than 7 million kilos of bacon have been certified, which means a consumption of around 60 million Torreznos de Soria.

How to make Torreznos de Soria in a healthy way

Ingredients

. Oiled marinated bacon Extra virgin olive oil

Step 1

Place a rack on the oven tray and on the rack, the bacon strips with the skin side up. It is important that the skin is completely dry. This can be done by leaving it in the refrigerator uncovered for a few hours or hanging it in a cool, dry place.

Step 2

Bake at 250°C with heat up and down and the broiler on.

Step 3

When they are 10 minutes old, start watching them and when we see that all the crust has filled with bubbles.

Step 4

When the crust is full of bubbles, remove the strips from the oven and finish frying them in a frying pan with plenty of very hot oil.

Step 5

When the crust is full of bubbles, remove the strips from the oven and finish frying them in a pan with plenty of very hot oil.