Slow Boat to China

Embark on a culinary voyage with "Slow Boat to China," a sumptuous braised pork belly recipe that captures the essence of Chinese home cooking. This dish features melt-in-your-mouth pork belly gently simmered in a flavorful blend of soy sauces, Shaoxing wine, and aromatic spices like star anise and cinnamon. Brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness, while fresh ginger and garlic infuse the dish with warmth and depth. The slow cooking process transforms the pork into a rich, glossy masterpiece, perfect for serving over steamed rice or noodles. With a harmonious balance of savory, sweet, and umami flavors, this hearty recipe is an impressive choice for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Prepare to savor authentic Chinese comfort food at its finest!

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs pork belly
• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 0.25 cup Shaoxing wine
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 2-inch knob, thinly sliced ginger
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 4 stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces green onions
• 2 whole star anise
• 1 stick cinnamon stick
• 2.5 cups water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Cut the pork belly into 1.5-inch cubes. Set aside.

Step 2

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the vegetable oil.

Step 3

Add the sliced ginger, minced garlic, and green onion pieces. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Increase the heat to high and add the pork belly pieces. Sear the meat on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Pour in the Shaoxing wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.

Step 6

Add the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well to coat the meat in the sauce.

Step 7

Add the star anise and cinnamon stick, followed by the water. Stir to combine.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover with a lid and let it simmer gently for 90-120 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a small amount of water if the liquid reduces too much.

Step 9

Once the pork is tender and the sauce is thickened, remove from heat and discard the star anise and cinnamon stick.

Step 10

Serve the pork hot with steamed rice or noodles, garnished with additional green onions if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1580.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3895.4

Total Fat 375.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 133.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.5g
Cholesterol 489.9mg	0%
Sodium 5000.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 45.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.7g	0%
Total Sugars 19.7g
Protein 76.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 282.4mg	0%
Iron 9.2mg	0%
Potassium 1701.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 87.4%

Protein: 7.9%

Carbs: 4.7%