XOXO Double-Braised Red Pork Belly

“Red cooking” is a Chinese method of stewing or braising with both dark and light soy sauces and caramelized sugar; it imparts a red color to the prepared food. Despite its appearance, dark soy sauce is actually not as salty as the light variety, and it is often the soy sauce of choice for hearty dishes like stews that require added body and color.

To commemorate the LUCKYRICE 10th Year Anniversary, we have added double happiness to this dish by glazing the pork with Rémy Martin XO cognac.

XOXO DOUBLE-BRAISED RED PORK - SERVES 6

Ingredients:

1 pound pork belly, skin on

2 tablespoons peanut oil

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons Rémy XO cognac

1 1-inch knob fresh ginger, sliced

1 star anise pod

¼ cup dark soy sauce

2 tablespoons light soy sauce

2 bunches scallions, green and white parts thinly sliced separately

Steamed Rice

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Drop in the pork belly and cook for about 3 minutes to remove any impurities. Remove it from the water and cut it into 1-inch chunks

2. In a wok, heat the peanut oil and sugar over low heat until the sugar caramelizes, about 10 minutes. Raise the heat to medium and add the cut-up pork. Cook for about 5 minutes, occasionally turning the pork so it is browned and well coated in the caramel.

3. Reduce the heat to low and add the Remy XO cognac, ginger, star anise, both soy sauces, the scallion whites, and ½ cup of water. Bring to a boil; then cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 1 hour, until the meat is fork-tender.

4. Uncover the pot and continue to cook the pork over low heat until it is coated with the syrup, about 15 minutes. Transfer the meat and sauce to a platter, and garnish with the scallion greens. Serve with steamed rice.