Simple and Delicious Pepper Braised Pork Recipe
Pepper Braised Pork should have a beautiful reddish-orange color, with a thick, fragrant sauce that blends the aroma of tender pork and freshly ground black pepper. The dish offers a savory, flavorful experience, perfect with a bowl of steamed rice.
Ingredients
- 400g pork
- 2 shallots
- 4 garlic cloves
- Ground black pepper
- 2-3 scallions
- Coarse salt
- Seasonings: Fish sauce, seasoning powder, MSG, sugar.
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients
Peel and finely chop the shallots and garlic.
Trim the roots off the scallions, wash, and chop the white parts finely, while slicing the green parts into small pieces.
Rinse the pork with coarse salt, then wash and drain. Cut the pork into rectangular slices or matchstick-sized pieces. Make sure not to cut the pork too thick or too thin, with each piece being at least 0.5 cm thick.
For a more flavorful dish, marinate the pork with:
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon MSG
- 1/3 teaspoon ground black pepper
- A bit of the minced shallots and garlic
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil
Mix well and let the pork marinate for about 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
For this dish, you can use either pork belly or pork shoulder. These cuts have a good balance of lean meat and fat, ensuring the braised pork stays moist and flavorful without being greasy.
Make the Caramel Sauce
To give the Pepper Braised Pork a rich, appealing color and enhance its flavor, it's recommended to make caramel sauce, also known as 'nước hàng' or 'nước màu.'
Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a pot over low heat until the sugar melts. Stir continuously with chopsticks until the sugar turns a golden-brown color, then immediately turn off the heat and add 1 tablespoon of hot boiling water, stirring to combine. The caramel sauce is now ready.
As soon as the sugar turns a golden-brown color, turn off the heat to prevent the sauce from becoming too bitter or forming sugar threads.
When adding the water, it's best to use hot boiling water to minimize the risk of splattering and burns. If using cold water, be extra cautious to avoid getting burned by the steam.
You can also use fresh coconut water instead of plain water to make a fragrant coconut caramel sauce, which is perfect for braising meat or fish.
Cook the Pepper Braised Pork
After making the caramel sauce, add the remaining minced shallots and garlic to the pot and sauté until fragrant. Then, add the marinated pork and increase the heat slightly to sear the meat.
After about 2 minutes, adjust the seasoning and continue braising the pork for another 10-15 minutes. If you prefer more sauce with your braised pork, cover the pot while cooking.
Adding the pepper at the end of cooking helps to enhance the aroma of the dish. The pork will already be flavorful from the initial marination, so the final touch of pepper makes it even more aromatic and delicious.
Pepper Braised Pork is best enjoyed hot, served with steamed rice, pickled vegetables, and a vegetable soup. The combination is absolutely delicious.
This dish is not difficult to make, with easily accessible ingredients and a quick preparation time. The result is a mouthwatering and flavorful dish that should definitely be added to your regular meal rotation.
