How to Cook Red Braised Pork
Red braised pork, also known as hongshao rou in Chinese, is a famous traditional dish in China. It is a popular dish that is often served during special occasions and festivals. This dish is made by slowly cooking pork belly in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and spices until it is tender and full of flavor. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook red braised pork.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs pork belly
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp ginger, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup water
1/2 cup Shaoxing wine
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
3 bay leaves
1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
Instructions
Step 1: Cut the pork belly into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
Step 2: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large pot over medium-high heat. Add minced ginger and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 3: Add pork belly and stir-fry until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Add soy sauce, water, Shaoxing wine, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, star anise, bay leaves, and Sichuan peppercorns. Stir well to combine.
Step 5: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 1.5-2 hours, or until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Step 6: Serve the red braised pork with steamed rice and vegetables.
Tips and Tricks
1. You can use pork shoulder or pork butt instead of pork belly if you prefer.
2. If you don't have Shaoxing wine, you can use dry sherry or rice wine instead.
3. If the sauce is too thin, you can add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it.
4. You can also add hard-boiled eggs to the dish for extra flavor.
5. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
Red braised pork is a delicious and flavorful dish that is easy to make at home. With the right ingredients and technique, you can create a dish that is sure to impress your friends and family. So why not give it a try and see how it turns out?