Braised pork belly in soy sauce

 

Ingredients:

4 pieces pork belly (3" long)

3 slices ginger (peeled)

2 stalks spring onion

1 stick cinnamon

3 pods star anise 

2 pieces bay leaves (dried)

Braising liquid: (mix in a bowl)

2 tbsp. light soy sauce

3/4 tbsp dark soy sauce (add more if your sauce is not dark)

1 tbsp. Shaoxing wine

1/2 tbsp sugar (to taste)

3/4 cups water (add more if needed)

Methods:

1. Rinse the pork slices and wipe dry with kitchen paper.  Use a fork to pierce the pork belly pieces all over - this helps them cook faster and absorb more flavor.
2. Heat a dry pan over high heat.  Add the pork belly slices and sear both sides until light golden.  No oil is needed as the pork will render its own fat.
3. Add the ginger, spring onion, cinnamon stick, star anise and bay leaves to the pan.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the braising liquid. Give it a stir to mix.
5. Cover with a lid and braise until the pork is fully cooked.  In between braising, turn the pork belly over to ensure even cooking.
6. Uncover the pan, turn the heat to high and reduce the sauce, spooning the sauce continuously over the pork to glaze it.
7. Remove the pork belly onto a plate, slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces and serve!

Braising in progress..

Pork belly before slicing

This Simple Yet Yummylicious recipe is adapted from 'cicili.tv' with slight adjustment to suit my cooking preference.