Taiwanese braised pork rice, a warm dish from the beautiful island of Taiwan, is like a virtuous homemaker, comforting every homesick wanderer with its unique flavor. During the cooking process, the aroma of braised pork rice gradually fills the air. It’s a delicate blend of fatty pork, fragrant spices, and rice, like a melodious poem that awakens the taste buds. The texture of braised pork rice is unparalleled – each grain of rice absorbs the essence of the braising sauce, becoming red, shiny, and irresistibly delicious. When you pick up a piece of meat with your chopsticks and savor it, the tender and juicy texture will make you forget all your worries.
Ingredients for Taiwanese braised pork rice
| Shiitake mushroom | 30g |
| Onion | 20g |
| Ginger | 5g |
| Garlic | 3g |
| Star anise | 1g |
| Fragrant leaves | 1g |
| Streaky pork | 200g |
| Dark soy sauce | 2ml |
| Soy sauce | 3ml |
| Salt | 1g |
Steps:
1.Clean the mushrooms and remove the stems. Cut them into small pieces and then dice them finely to better blend with other ingredients. Halve the peeled onion, slice it thinly, and then cut the slices into fine strips. Finally, dice the strips into small particles for easier cooking and flavor infusion. Cut the pork belly into long strips and then crosswise into small cubes, ensuring even distribution in the dish for enhanced texture and flavor. Slice the peeled garlic cloves thinly, and do the same for the ginger. Slicing the garlic and ginger into thin slices allows their unique aromas and flavors to fully develop, adding deliciousness to the dish.
2.Heat a pan and add some oil. Once hot, add the diced onions and stir-fry until fragrant. Then remove them from the pan and set aside. Leave a little oil in the pan and add the diced pork belly. Stir-fry to release its fat and lightly brown the meat. Next, add the sliced ginger and garlic, along with some dark soy sauce and light soy sauce for seasoning and coloring. Through stir-frying, the pork belly will become crispy, aromatic, and flavorful, blending perfectly with the seasonings.
3.Heat oil in the pan and add the diced mushrooms and the sautéed onions. Stir-fry evenly. Then pour enough water into the pan to submerge the ingredients. Add seasoning ingredients like bay leaves and star anise to enhance the aroma. Beat the eggs and mix them into the mixture, making sure they are evenly distributed. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 1 hour to allow the ingredients to absorb the flavors and become tender. Finally, add salt to taste and adjust according to personal preference. Serve the braised pork over steaming hot rice and enjoy the delicious Taiwanese flavor!
Tips:
- Pre-treat the pork belly: Before stir-frying the pork belly, blanch the diced pork belly in boiling water to remove any blood and gamey flavors.
- Use a spice bag: For convenience, place bay leaves, star anise, and other seasoning ingredients into a spice bag. This reduces the need for straining out the seasonings during the cooking process.
Taiwanese braised pork rice is like a beautiful symphony, with each note brimming with emotion and imagery. It reminds me of wonderful memories and makes me feel the warmth and care of home. Through my writing, I hope to introduce and inspire more people to love this dish, allowing its deliciousness and sentiment to be shared with others.