Vietnamese Caramel Pork
Published Monday, October 17, 2022
Submitted by Kevin Ng, Screening Promotion Planner, Prevention and Screening Clinical Services
Ingredients:
1/2 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
1 tbsp water
2 lb pork shoulder or boneless skinless pork belly, cut into 3 cm pieces
1 1/2 cups coconut water
1 shallot, finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
1/4 tsp white pepper
Red chili and finely sliced shallots/green onions to garnish
Instructions:
- Place sugar and water in a large pot over medium heat. Stir, then when it bubbles and the sugar is melted (it looks like caramel), add the rest of the ingredients.
- Keep stirring as you adjust the heat so it is simmering energetically.
- Simmer for 1.5 hours, uncovered. Stir once or twice while cooking.
- At around 1.5 hours, when the liquid has reduced down and the pork is tender, the fat will separate.
- Stir the pork to help it brown and caramelize in the fat.
- Once the liquid is all gone and it is now stuck on the pork pieces, it is ready.
- Serve over rice, garnished with fresh chili and shallots.
Serves 4
From recipetineats.com
Healthy Eating Tip: Coconut water is a rich source of potassium and vitamin C. Try it instead of water or juice in a smoothie to reduce sugar and add a kick of vitamins.