braised pork with dried beans

How to Make Braised Pork with Dried Beans: A Step-by-Step Guide

Braised pork with dried beans (干豆角红烧肉) is a beloved Chinese dish, known for its tender meat, chewy beans, and rich umami flavor. Here’s a detailed recipe to recreate this comforting classic at home.

Ingredients:

500g pork belly (cut into 2cm cubes), 100g dried beans (soaked in warm water for 2 hours until soft), 5 slices of ginger, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 star anise, 2 dried chili peppers (optional), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 cup rice wine or cooking wine, 500ml water, and cooking oil.

Steps:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Soak dried beans, then blanch pork in boiling water for 3 minutes to remove impurities. Rinse and drain.

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

3. Simmer: Pour in rice wine, soy sauces, and sugar. Stir until the pork is evenly coated. Add water and dried beans, bring to a boil.

4. Braise: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5–2 hours until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.

5. Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and enjoy with steamed rice.

This dish balances savory, sweet, and smoky notes, making it a perfect hearty meal for any season. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!

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