Unctuous and Flavorful: The Ultimate Chinese Braised Pork Shoulder Recipe
Chinese cuisine is known for its rich, bold flavors and hearty comfort foods. One dish that epitomizes this is braised pork shoulder. The combination of tender meat, fragrant spices, and savory sauce makes for a meal that is both satisfying and delicious.
Ingredients:
– 3 lbs pork shoulder, cut into large chunks
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
– 1/4 cup rice wine
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 1 tbsp ginger, minced
– 1 tbsp garlic, minced
– 1 star anise
– 1 cinnamon stick
– 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions:
1. Brown the pork shoulder in a hot skillet until golden brown on all sides.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice wine, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.
3. Place the pork shoulder in a large pot and pour the sauce mixture over it.
4. Add the star anise, cinnamon stick, and chicken broth to the pot.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened.
6. Serve the braised pork shoulder hot over steamed rice, garnished with green onions.
Why this recipe is the ultimate:
– The pork shoulder is braised until it is meltingly tender, allowing the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
– The combination of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and rice wine creates a rich, savory sauce that is perfect for drizzling over rice.
– The addition of ginger, garlic, star anise, and cinnamon adds layers of complexity to the dish, making it truly unforgettable.
In conclusion, this Chinese braised pork shoulder recipe is the ultimate comfort food dish. With its unctuous texture and flavorful sauce, it is sure to become a favorite in your household. So, grab your ingredients and get cooking!