Chinese Braised Pork Belly (One Pot Chinese Cooking) 梅菜扣肉 Traditional Chinese Cooking

preserved mustard greens

🥗Healthier: fresh bok choy

💰Cheaper: cabbage

Fresh bok choy provides a similar texture with fewer preservatives.

Shaoxing wine

💰Cheaper: dry sherry

Dry sherry can mimic the flavor profile of Shaoxing wine.

pork belly

🥗Healthier: pork shoulder

💰Cheaper: pork loin

Pork shoulder is leaner but still flavorful, while pork loin is more economical.

soy sauce

🥗Healthier: low-sodium soy sauce

Low-sodium soy sauce reduces salt intake without sacrificing flavor.

Put some water in a pan and bring to a boil.

Add the pork belly and boil for about 15 minutes.

Take out the pork belly and dry off with some paper towels.

Clean and dry the same pan and then put 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and bring the pan to medium heat.

Grill the pork belly on the skin side for a few minutes and then remove the pork belly and let it cool off for a few minutes.

Add 2 tablespoons of dark soy sauce to cover the surface of the pork belly, using fingers for better coverage.

Cut the pork belly in half lengthwise; each slice should be about 1/4 inch thick or slightly thicker.

Stack the pork belly slices into a bowl with the skin side down against the bottom of the bowl.

For the sauce, add 1 piece of red bean curd, 1 teaspoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of sliced ginger; mix the ingredients and spread over the top of the pork belly.

Wash the preserved mustard greens in cold water and cut them into small pieces; you need about 8 oz for this recipe.

Spread the mustard greens over the top of the pork belly.

Clean the same pan and add some water, bringing it to a boil.

Put the dish of pork belly into the pan and cover with a lid; let it steam for about 2 hours, checking to make sure the water in the pan doesn't dry out and adding more water if needed.

Carefully take the dish from the pan when hot and turn the original dish upside down to serve.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens