Caramelized Pork Belly Recipe
A savory and sweet caramelized pork dish, often found in Southeast Asian cuisine, known for its tender meat and rich, glossy sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 kg pork belly cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 medium shallots thinly sliced
- 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 500 ml coconut water
Instructions
- 1. In a bowl, combine pork belly cubes with minced garlic, sliced shallots, black pepper, salt, and fish sauce. Mix well and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 1 hour in the refrigerator.
- 2. Heat cooking oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add granulated sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until it melts and turns into a rich amber caramel. Be careful not to burn it.
- 3. Add the marinated pork to the pot and sear on all sides until lightly browned. This helps lock in flavors and adds depth.
- 4. Pour in the coconut water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 45-60 minutes, or until the pork is very tender.
- 5. Uncover and increase heat slightly to reduce the sauce to your desired consistency. The sauce should be glossy and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- 6. Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice.
Notes
Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice. For an extra touch, you can add hard-boiled eggs during the last 15 minutes of simmering. Adjust fish sauce and sugar to your taste.