「Hunan-Style Braised Pork Belly」

Ingredients and amounts

• 500g pork belly
• 10g cooking oil
• 5 bay leaves
• 3 slices ginger
• 1 small piece cinnamon stick
• 6 rock sugar pieces
• 20g cooking wine
• 5g light soy sauce
• 2g dark soy sauce
• 2g salt
• 3 star anise

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Step 1

   Wash the pork belly with skin on. Place in cold water with 2-3 slices of ginger to remove odor. Bring to a boil, then remove and rinse under cold water to remove scum.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Cut the pork belly into 1.5cm x 1.5cm cubes.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Heat oil in a pan over low heat. Add rock sugar and stir until it melts into a caramel color. Add the pork belly cubes and stir-fry over medium heat until evenly coated.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Add the prepared ginger slices, star anise, cinnamon stick, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, dried chili peppers (optional), and salt. Stir-fry over low heat for 1 minute. Add boiling water until the meat is just submerged.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir every 10 minutes to prevent sticking.

6. 6

   Step 6

   When the sauce has reduced to about one-third, increase to medium heat to thicken the sauce. Remove from heat and serve.