Delicious and Flavorful Pepper-Braised Pork Recipe

Pepper-braised pork is a staple in Vietnamese family meals. With the rich flavor of pork belly combined with the spicy kick of pepper, this dish is not only easy to make but also incredibly satisfying. Let’s explore a simple yet delicious recipe for pepper-braised pork in this article.

1. Ingredients Needed

To make delicious pepper-braised pork, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Pork belly: 500g
• Green onions, shallots, garlic, chili peppers
• Ground pepper: 1 teaspoon
• Essential seasonings: Salt, sugar, fish sauce, cooking oil, seasoning powder
• Caramel sauce: 1/2 tablespoon

Ingredients for pepper-braised pork

2. Detailed Instructions for Pepper-Braised Pork

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Peel and rinse the shallots and garlic, then mince them finely. Trim the roots and wilted leaves from the green onions, rinse and chop finely. Remove the stems and seeds from the chili peppers, then slice them in half or finely chop them according to your taste.

Rinse the pork belly with salt to remove any odor, then rinse again with cold water and let it drain. Cut the pork into bite-sized pieces. To completely eliminate any odor, you can briefly blanch the pork in boiling water for about 2 minutes, then remove and rinse with cold water.

Step 2: Marinate the Pork

Proceed to marinate the pork with the following seasonings in these proportions:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced chili
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• Chopped green onions

Mix well and marinate the pork for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.

Step 3: Braise the Pork

Place a pot on the stove, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, and heat it up. Next, sauté the minced garlic and shallots until fragrant.

Add the marinated pork to the pot, stirring continuously until the pork is firm. Then, add the caramel sauce until it just covers the surface of the pork.

Add the green onions and continue cooking over medium heat. When the braising liquid reduces and thickens, turn off the heat.

Delicious pepper-braised pork

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Transfer the pork to a serving dish and sprinkle with a bit more pepper to enhance the flavor. The pepper-braised pork is now ready to enjoy.

3. Tips for Choosing Ingredients and Cooking Notes

Choosing Quality Pork Belly

• Choose pork that is a fresh pink color, not too red or too pale
• The meat should be firm and have high elasticity
• When pressed with a finger, the meat should spring back immediately, not be mushy or release water

Using Caramel Sauce

• You can buy it ready-made at the supermarket or make it at home
• A simple way to make caramel sauce: Boil 1 tablespoon of sugar with 1 tablespoon of water; when the sugar turns brown, turn off the heat

Cooking Tips

• Pork belly is the ideal choice because it has both lean meat and fat, making it tender and juicy when braised
• Caramel sauce enhances the dish’s appearance
• You can adjust the amount of chili and pepper to suit your taste

Once completed, the pepper-braised pork will have a beautiful brown color, tender and flavorful meat, and a rich, thick sauce. This dish pairs perfectly with hot rice and steamed vegetables.

With this simple recipe for pepper-braised pork, we wish you success and enjoyable meals with your family!