Best 2 Red Braised Pork Hong Shao Rou Recipes

Red braised pork, also known as hong shao rou, is a classic Chinese dish that is known for its rich flavor and tender texture. This dish is typically made with pork belly, although other cuts of pork can also be used. The pork is first braised in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and spices. This sauce gives the pork a deep red color and a delicious flavor. The pork is then cooked slowly until it is fall-off-the-bone tender. Red braised pork is typically served over rice or noodles, and it can be garnished with scallions or cilantro.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

GRANDMA'S HONG SHAU ROU (RED BRAISED PORK)

Grandma's Hong Shau Rou (Red Braised Pork) image

I have been reading about this traditional Chinese dish on the Internet and found there are many different versions of it. Some are spicy, incorporating chile and ginger. Others have the spices of star anise, cinnamon, and lots of garlic added too. The recipe my grandma passed on to us here is the garlicky one. Garnish with some chopped spring onions or cilantro and serve with steamed white rice or buns. I like to serve a side dish of pickled cucumber slices with the pork and this tanginess brings another dimension to the dish. Chi Fan (time to eat)!

Provided by ChinaWallace

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese

Time 1h30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 pound pork belly, sliced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (3 inch) cinnamon stick
3 whole star anise
¼ cup light soy sauce
¼ cup Shaoxing rice wine
3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
3 tablespoons white sugar, or to taste
10 cloves garlic, peeled
¼ cup water, or as needed

Steps:

Bring a pot of water to a boil; add pork belly. Cook until pork belly softens, about 5 minutes. Drain and cool pork until easily handled, 5 to 10 minutes. Cut into 2-inch chunks.
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add cinnamon stick and star anise; fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in pork belly, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, dark soy sauce, sugar, and garlic. Reduce heat to very low and simmer, stirring occasionally and adding water if sauce reduces too quickly, until pork is tender, about 50 minutes.
Increase heat slightly and continue simmering until sauce reduces to a sticky consistency, about 10 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick and star anise; discard.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 342.4 calories, Carbohydrate 15.5 g, Cholesterol 41 mg, Fat 22.6 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 15.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Sodium 2440.3 mg, Sugar 9.7 g

RED-BRAISED PORK (HONG SHAO ROU)

Red-Braised Pork (Hong Shao Rou) image

Provided by Fuchsia Dunlop

Categories Wok Pork Braise Stir-Fry Dinner Lunar New Year Meat

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 1/4 lb (500g) boneless pork belly, with skin, or shoulder
2 tbsp cooking oil
4 slices of unpeeled ginger
1 spring onion, white part only, crushed slightly
2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
2 cups plus 2 tbsp (500ml) chicken stock or water, plus more if needed
1 star anise
Small piece of cassia bark or cinnamon stick
Dash of dark soy sauce
2 tbsp sugar
Salt, to taste
A few lengths of spring onion greens, to garnish

Steps:

Cut the pork into 3/4-1 in (2-3cm) chunks.
Pour the oil into a seasoned wok over a high flame, followed by the ginger and spring onion and stir-fry until you can smell their aromas. Add the pork and stir-fry for a couple of minutes more. Splash in the Shaoxing wine. Add the stock, spices, soy sauce, sugar and 1 tsp salt. Mix well, then transfer to a clay pot or a saucepan with a lid.
Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over a very low flame for at least 1 1/2 hours, preferably two or three. Keep an eye on the pot to make sure it does not boil dry; add a little more stock or hot water if necessary. Adjust the seasoning and add the spring onion greens just before serving.

Tips:

Choose the right cut of pork: Pork belly or pork shoulder are the best cuts for red braised pork. They have a good amount of fat, which will render out during cooking and make the meat tender and flavorful.
Brown the pork before braising: Browning the pork in a hot pan before adding the braising liquid will help to develop its flavor and color.
Use a variety of spices and seasonings: The combination of spices and seasonings used in red braised pork is what gives it its characteristic flavor. Be sure to use a good quality Chinese five-spice powder, as well as dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine.
Braise the pork for a long time: Red braised pork is a slow-cooked dish, so be patient and let the flavors develop over time. The longer you braise the pork, the more tender and flavorful it will be.
Serve red braised pork with rice: Red braised pork is traditionally served with rice, which helps to soak up the delicious sauce.

Conclusion:

Red braised pork is a classic Chinese dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its tender meat, flavorful sauce, and perfect balance of spices, it's no wonder that this dish has been enjoyed for centuries. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give red braised pork a try. You won't be disappointed.