Slow-Simmered, Red-Infused Pork Belly

Slow-Simmered, Red-Infused Pork Belly

Reimagined Recipe: Chinese-Style Slow-Cooked Pork Butt

Here's an easy-peasy recipe for a flavorful dish that'll make your taste buds dance - Red-Cooked Pork Butt. This bad boy is perfect for those lazy Sunday afternoons when you wanna chill out and cook something tasty. Not only is it a crowd-pleaser, but it's also a show-off dish, so invite some mates over and impress 'em!

What you'll need:

• A large pot
• A cutting board
• A sharp knife
• A sieve
• A glass or ceramic baking dish
• Foil
• Optional: A Dutch oven or slow cooker for added convenience

Ingredients:

• 6 cups water
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup Chinese rice wine (Shaoxing) or substitute with dry sake, dry sherry, fino sherry, mirin, dry white wine, beer, or rice vinegar + sugar (non-alcoholic option)
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 7 to 8 scallions, white parts smashed and green parts reserved
• 4 (1-inch-thick) pieces fresh ginger, smashed
• 6 medium garlic cloves, smashed
• 10 fresh cilantro stems, leaves reserved for garnish
• 2 (4-by-1-inch) strips fresh orange zest
• 2 whole star anise pods
• 1 (5- to 6-pound) boneless pork butt, shoulder, or blade roast, tied
• 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
• Optional: A light, spicy red wine, e.g., Sangiovese-based wine from Tuscany for a fancy beverage pairing

Alternative Substitutes for Shaoxing Wine:

1. Dry Sherry: Nutty, slightly sweet flavor similar to Shaoxing wine. Replace 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine with 1 tablespoon of dry sherry.
2. Sake: Mild, slightly sweet flavor. Replace 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine with 1 tablespoon of sake.
3. Mirin: Sweeter than Shaoxing wine, great for sweet-savory dishes. Mix ¾ tablespoon mirin with ¼ tablespoon water to replace 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine.
4. Dry White Wine: Adds acidity and light fruitiness. Replace 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine with 1 tablespoon of dry white wine.
5. Beer: Malty sweetness, tenderizes meat. Use beer in place of Shaoxing wine in the braising liquid, starting with a small amount (e.g., replace a portion rather than all of the Shaoxing wine).
6. Rice Vinegar + Sugar (Non-Alcoholic Option): Mimics acidity and sweetness of Shaoxing wine without alcohol. Mix 1 tablespoon rice vinegar with ½ teaspoon sugar to replace 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine.

Instructions:

To cook the pork:

1. Combine water, soy sauce, your chosen wine or substitute, brown sugar, white parts of the scallions, ginger, garlic, cilantro stems, zest strips, and star anise in the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add pork and return to a simmer. Cook gently, turning pork over every 30 minutes, for 4 to 4 1/2 hours until meat is tender.
4. Cool pork in its cooking liquid for about an hour, then chill, covered, for at least 8 hours or overnight.

To serve:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
2. Skim fat layer off the top of the braising liquid and discard. Transfer chilled pork to a clean cutting board.
3. Remove string and cut meat across the grain into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange pork slices in overlapping rows in a baking dish.
4. Strain braising liquid through a sieve into a large bowl. Measure 2 cups of the cooking liquid and place in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and pour over pork.
5. Cover dish tightly with foil and bake until thoroughly heated, about 30 minutes.
6. Cut reserved green parts of scallions on the bias into thin slices. Serve pork with broth, topped with reserved cilantro leaves.

Enjoy this delicious dish with some simple steamed rice and stir-fried string beans. Serve with an optional beverage pairing: a light, spicy red wine.

This recipe was crafted specifically for Chinese New Year Dishes for Valentine's Day. Recipe yields 6 to 8 servings and is considered easy-peasy to make. Cooking the pork in advance makes it even tastier, so give it a go!

1. This Red-Cooked Pork Butt recipe is categorized under 'uncategorized' on our website for easy navigation.
2. Before you start cooking, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients such as pork, soy sauce, Chinese rice wine, light brown sugar, scallions, ginger, garlic, cilantro, star anise, and orange zest.
3. The nutritional value of this dish is not fully calculated, but you can expect a well-balanced meal with pork as the protein source and the variety of seasonings offering flavor and potential health benefits.
4. Once the pork is cooked, be sure to give credit to the recipe creator, as this delicious Chinese-Style Slow-Cooked Pork Butt is ready for you to impress your friends and loved ones on your next special occasion.

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