braised pork with tofu bamboo

Braised Pork with Yuba: A Step-by-Step Guide

Braised pork with yuba (腐竹红烧肉) is a beloved Chinese dish, marrying tender, savory pork with silky, absorbent yuba. Here’s a simple yet delicious recipe to recreate it at home.

Ingredients: 500g pork belly (cut into 2cm cubes), 100g dried yuba (soaked until soft), 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, 3 slices ginger, 2 cloves garlic, cooking oil, and water.

Steps:

1. Prepare the pork: Boil pork in boiling water for 3 minutes to remove impurities. Drain and rinse.

2. Sear the pork: Heat oil in a wok, stir-fry pork over medium heat until golden brown. Add ginger, garlic, star anise, and cinnamon until fragrant.

3. Braise the pork: Pour in soy sauces and sugar, stir to coat. Add water to cover the pork, bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 1 hour until tender.

4. Add yuba: Soak dried yuba in warm water until soft (about 20 minutes), then cut into strips. Add to the wok, simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing yuba to absorb the flavorful sauce.

5. Thicken the sauce: Increase heat to reduce the sauce until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning and serve hot.

Tip: For extra richness, use a mix of pork belly and lean pork. Enjoy this hearty dish with steamed rice!