| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 1 hour 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 339 | 20g | 10g | 20g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 5g | 2g | 18g | 0.72g |
Why I Love Chinese Vegetarian Pork Belly
As an adopted son of New York, I carry within me an undying love for the vibrant variety of its food scene, a melting pot of cuisines blending traditional tastes and modern techniques. That said, though, every so often I find myself gravitating towards certain culinary elements that I believe strongly define the culture they belong to. Such is the case with this delightful Chinese recipe that’s taken my taste buds by storm; the Vegetarian Pork Belly.
The Magic of Fusion
The Vegetarian Pork Belly is an extraordinary example of East-meets-West fusion, where the authentic Chinese flavor profile converges seamlessly with the principles of vegetarianism largely espoused in the West. The savory medley of soy sauce, star anise, Chinese five spice, Shaoxing wine, and other traditional Chinese condiments, coupled with the meaty texture of vegetarian pork belly, is nothing short of a gastronomic revelation. It brings to mind the innovative creations of David Chang, the pioneer in bringing compelling Asian flavors to the Western palate.
A Harmonious Blend of Flavors
This dish’s profound richness of flavors reminds me, in a pleasantly eclectic way, of New York’s myriad street foods, that reflect the city’s diverse cultures, all converging into an enticing food fare. Just as a perfect New York bagel carries the essence of the city, so does this recipe contain the soul of its cultural origin.
Pair the Vegetarian Pork Belly with a bowl of fluffy, steamed white rice or alongside some crispy bok choy, and you’ve got yourself a sinfully delicious and yet completely guilt-free meal. The strong, exotic flavors of the dish essentially endorse the neutral taste of the rice or the crunch of the bok choy, resulting in a beautifully balanced meal.
So here’s to the love of good food and culinary explorations that continue to satiate our global palate inspirationally; From New York to Beijing and back, one delicious Vegetarian Pork Belly bite at a time.
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 lbs of vegetarian pork belly
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon of Chinese five spice powder
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1/4 cup of Shaoxing wine (or substitute with dry sherry)
- 1/2 cup of vegetable stock
- 2 star anise
- 1 small stick of cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons of water
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Method
Step One
Start by cleaning the vegetarian pork belly. Rinse it well, pat dry with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper.
Step Two
Heat up a pan over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Once the oil is heated, add the minced garlic, sliced ginger, and chopped green onions. Stir fry until fragrant and slightly golden in color.
Step Three
Add the vegetarian pork belly to the pan and sear on all sides until lightly browned. After searing the pork belly, sprinkle the Chinese five spice powder over it and continue to sear for another minute to let the spices blend in.
Step Four
Add the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, brown sugar, shaoxing wine, vegetable stock, star anise, and cinnamon stick to the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and coat the pork belly evenly. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Step Five
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the pork belly is soft and tender. Be sure to turn the pork belly occasionally to prevent burning and to ensure even cooking.
Step Six
After an hour, dissolve the cornstarch in water and then add this to the pan. This will thicken the sauce. Stir well and continue to simmer until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
Step Seven
Finally, turn off the heat and transfer the vegetarian pork belly to a serving dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the pork belly. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious vegetarian pork belly!
