Asian > Chinese

Lor Bak (Braised Pork Belly) Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 lb pork belly, sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup dark soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice wine
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, sliced
- 2 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Special equipment needed:
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or spatula

Step-by-step instructions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add the pork belly and brown on all sides for about 5 minutes.
4. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine, water, star anise, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves.
5. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat to low and let the pork belly simmer for about 1-2 hours until tender and the sauce has thickened.
7. Serve hot with steamed rice.


- Time:
Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 1-2 hours
Temperature:
- Medium heat for sautéing
- Low heat for simmering
Serving size:
- 4 servings

Nutritional information:
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 15g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Pork belly can be substituted with beef or chicken.
- Rice wine can be substituted with sherry or white wine.
- Dark soy sauce can be substituted with regular soy sauce and a pinch of sugar.

Variations:
- Add hard-boiled eggs to the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a traditional addition.
- Add vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, or mushrooms to the pot for a heartier dish.

Tips and tricks:
- Use a sharp knife to slice the pork belly into even pieces.
- Brown the pork belly well for added flavor.
- Let the pork belly simmer on low heat for a longer period of time for a more tender result.

Storage instructions:
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve the Lor Bak in a large serving dish with steamed rice on the side.

Garnishes:
- Garnish with sliced scallions or cilantro for added freshness.

Pairings:
- Serve with a side of stir-fried vegetables or a simple cucumber salad.

Suggested side dishes:
- Steamed rice
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Cucumber salad

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer for a longer period of time to thicken.
- If the pork belly is tough, let it simmer for a longer period of time until tender.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure the pork belly is cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F to ensure it is safe to eat.

Food history:
- Lor Bak is a traditional Chinese dish that originated in Fujian, China.

Flavor profiles:
- Savory, sweet, and slightly spicy.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve hot with steamed rice and a side of vegetables.

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Region: Chinese

Taste: Savory, Umami, Salty, Sweet, Aromatic