braised pork with chestnut

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

Braised pork with chestnuts is a beloved Chinese dish, celebrated for its tender meat, sweet chestnuts, and rich umami sauce. Here’s a simple yet authentic recipe to recreate this comfort food at home.

Ingredients:

500g pork belly (cut into 2cm cubes), 200g peeled chestnuts (fresh or canned), 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 sliced ginger, 2 minced garlic, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 star anise, and cooking oil.

Steps:

1. Prepare the pork: Blanch pork cubes in boiling water for 5 minutes to remove impurities. Rinse and drain.

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

3. Simmer: Pour in Shaoxing wine, soy sauces, and sugar. Add enough water to cover the pork. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Add chestnuts: Toss in chestnuts and continue simmering for 20–25 minutes until the pork is fork-tender and the sauce thickens.

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

This dish balances savory, sweet, and aromatic flavors, making it a perfect centerpiece for family meals. Enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth texture and the natural sweetness of chestnuts in every bite!