Braised Pork Belly
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
The meat is meltingly tender, sticky and just slightly sweet.
Author: Lemons & Anchovies
Recipe type: Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 2
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds pork belly, rinsed well and dried with paper towels (mine came in three strips that were about 1½ inches wide)
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
- 3 tablespoons plain vinegar (cider should work, too, but not balsamic)
- 1 dried star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- About 2 teaspoons Chinese five spice powder
- 2 dried whole chilies (I split one to add a little more kick)
- olive oil for brushing
- salt and pepper
- Chopped chives for garnish (they actually complement the dish well)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Set the pork belly strips on a foil-lined baking sheet skin side down. Brush the tops and sides with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and using the same brush, dip it in the Chinese five spice powder and brush also on the tops and sides of the pork. Roast the seasoned pork for 15-20 minutes. I'm not sure that this was necessary but it did help to adhere the spices on the meat and kept them flavorful while they braised.
- Take the meat out of the oven and cut them in squares. Add to a medium saucepan with the rest of the ingredients: stock, kecap manis, vinegar, star anise, cinnamon stick, dried chilies and garlic. Bring to a boil then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for 40-50 minutes. By this time the meat should be very tender and the braising liquid reduced to just about ¾ cup. The sauce will continue to thicken and reduce even after you've turned off the heat. Transfer the pork to a serving plate and pour the sauce on top. Serve with rice.
Joybee says
Yum yum that looks good. So do you cut the fat off before serving, or while eating? I’ve been wanting to try pork belly but am a little intimidated. I’ve pinned this recipe for later.
Julie D. says
You eat the fat!
The Café Sucré Farine says
Wow, this looks totally worth throwing the healthy resolutions out the window, at least for a day 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Beautiful presentation, Jean! Love the star anise!
Priscilla - She's Cookin' says
Oh my. What a mouth-watering preparation, Jean! I believe in balance most of all, and since I’ve been pretty good, what with a week of my Monster Green Power Smoothies (just posted) I can drool over this and start thawing the pork belly in my freezer with this in mind. I actually have all the ingredients on hand, except for the sweet soy – what would be a good substitute? (Hubs can’t do soy sauce) Beautiful warm light in your photos 🙂
Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet} says
WOW Jean! I have never cooked pork belly . Love this recipe. I am with you, I often eat around the fat and just devour the meat. (same with bacon). Love, love your photos!!!! Happy Sunday!!!!
Joan Nova says
They couldn’t be more fatty — and tasty! Looks like you did a great job.
Rowena @ Apron and Sneakers says
That looks absolutely delicious! It looks packed with so much flavors!
Patty says
Beautiful Jean, wowzers-love the recipe and the photos-it’s so hard to keep the healthy eating going especially when there is so much good food out there!!!!
Row says
Oh, this looks gorgeous! I love to eat pork belly, though I only have it once it a while. I will have to try your recipe soon… thank you! 🙂
Carrie says
I have never made pork belly. But these photos make me want to really badly! Drooling!
Betty Ann @Mango_Queen says
Ooooh this is so good! I happen to have a slab of pork belly I got from the Asian market and all the above ingredients. Must try your recipe right away. Thanks for sharing, Jean! Your photos are so gorgeous I could just eat my own laptop!
wok with ray says
Wow! This is so mouthwatering. I felt the contraction in my jaw when I saw this post. Happy New Year, Jean!
Rosa says
That dish looks amazing! I am a big fan of pork belly.
Cheers,
Rosa
Suzanne says
I haven’t tried to make my own pork belly and I would feel terribly guilty about it for some reason even though I’m like you and eat pretty healthy most of the time. 🙂 your photos do make me want to try it sometime.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
I am not sure I have ever had pork belly before. I had a recipe that called for it once, but I could not find it anywhere in the town I live. I might have to look again though, because this looks fabulous!
Liren says
I’m afraid I would eat every bit of the fat, Jean. 🙂 This looks sizzlingly perfect, and I’m sure gives that place in Maui a run for its money! Love the fusion of flavors, it sounds phenomenal!
Jen Laceda @ Tartine and Apron Strings says
Nothing wrong with indulging once in a while – to live a little. I’m sure these pork belly were soooo worth the ‘trouble’. Once you’ve tried pork belly, there’s no going back! Love the recipe, Jean. Will try to catch up with pinning soon – darn reno!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I love pork belly too but I just bite off the fat area and “waste” it. I am never a fan of those jelly fat area of the meat. So I have been wasting fatty area of meat all my life… But the meat part of pork belly is so good!!! Never made pork belly with kecap manis. This is something I look forward to try!
Magic of Spice says
Beautifully done Jean! My boys just love pork belly and believe it or not, I have actually make it for them a few times 🙂 Great flavors and gorgeous as always!