RED BRAISED PORK BELLY

10 Min. Prep
90 Min. Cook
2-4 Servings
656 Calories

The hong shao rou is so soft and will instantly melt in your mouth. This is extremely hearty and will surely become your family’s instant favorite dish. Perfect for everyday dinner, family gathering and holiday celebration.

Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs pork belly, boneless and skin-on
4 cups water
1 cup Shaoxing wine
2 tbsp Knorr liquid seasoning
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1/2 cube Knorr pork bouillon
1 tbsp extra light olive oil (or other high smoking point cooking oil)
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cinnamon stick
2 pods star anise
¼ piece dried tangerine peel (sold in Chinese supermarkets or online)
Syrup: 4 tbsp water, 1 tbsp rock sugar (sold in Chinese supermarkets or online), 1 tbsp extra light olive oil (or other high smoking point cooking oil)

Directions

In a large pot of water, over high heat, place a thoroughly cleaned pork belly in the pot. Bring water to a boil, and continue to cook for 10 minutes. (This will help to remove its blood, impurity, and gamey taste).

Discard the water, and rinse the pork belly with running water.

Cut the pork belly into 1-inch cubes.

In the same pot, over high heat, add 4 cups of water in it, bring it to a boil. Season it with Shaoxing wine, Knorr liquid seasoning, dark soy sauce, and Knorr pork bouillon. Stir until everything is dissolved. Set aside.

To make the syrup, over medium-low heat, add the water and rock sugar. Cook until the sugar is melted and the liquid is very sticky. Carefully add the extra light olive oil (You can also use other high smoking point oil). Continue to stir until the syrup is lightly brown, about 3 minutes. (This syrup will give our pork belly its beautiful red shade).

Pour the syrup into the broth. Whisk.

In another pot, over medium heat, add the extra light olive oil and pork belly. Stir fry until lightly browned, 3 minutes. Also add in the garlic, cinnamon, star anise, and dried tangerine peel. Cook until aromatic, 2 minutes.

Pour in the broth. Cover the lid, and bring it to a boil. Then immediately turn to low heat. Simmer for 1 hour.

Before serving, uncover the lid, and turn to high heat to reduce the sauce, 5 minutes.

Serve!