Spicy & Savory Braised Pork Shoulder with Soy Sauce
Spicy & Savory Soy Braised Pork Shoulder, Pan-Seared to Render Fat
Pork shoulder is a frequent favorite due to its lean composition, offering a tender yet not overly rich flavor when cooked. Today, we’ll pan-sear it to remove excess fat and then braise it in a savory soy sauce mixture. This method results in a delicious side dish that’s perfect with rice.
Main Ingredients
- Pork shoulder 400g
- Dried chili peppers 2
- Scallion (green onion) 1 stalk
Seasoning Ingredients
- Ginger 1 small piece (sliced or minced)
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Oyster sauce 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Sugar syrup (or corn syrup/molasses) 1 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin) 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Black pepper to taste
- Ginger 1 small piece (sliced or minced)
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Oyster sauce 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Sugar syrup (or corn syrup/molasses) 1 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin) 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Black pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the ingredients for the braising. Chop the scallion into large pieces and set aside. Also, prepare 2 dried chili peppers for a touch of heat.
Step 2
Prepare the pork shoulder. If there’s any blood, gently press it out with paper towels. Removing the blood will ensure a cleaner flavor and prevent any gamey taste.
Step 3
Heat a pan over medium heat and sear the pork shoulder on both sides until nicely browned. This searing process renders out excess fat, making the pork more tender and less greasy.
Step 4
While delicious on its own, this seared pork becomes an exceptional side dish when braised with fragrant ginger and a savory soy sauce. It’s guaranteed to be a rice-go-to!
Step 5
Once the pork is seared, cut it into bite-sized pieces. This makes it easier to eat and allows the braising sauce to permeate evenly.
Step 6
Carefully wipe away any rendered pork fat from the pan with paper towels. Removing this excess fat is key to achieving a non-greasy and clean-tasting braise.
Step 7
Now, add the ginger. You can use thinly sliced ginger or minced ginger. Don’t be shy if you like the flavor; a little extra ginger braised down will enhance the aroma. It’s quite fragrant!
Step 8
Add 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, and 1 Tbsp minced garlic. For sweetness, incorporate 1 Tbsp of sugar, corn syrup, or molasses. I used sugar syrup here. Also, add 1 Tbsp of cooking wine (Mirin).
Step 9
Add the 2 dried chili peppers, chopped. Using dried chilies provides a nice kick without needing chili powder and effectively cuts through the richness of the pork.
Step 10
Stir and braise until the sauce thickens and coats the pork. Once it’s reduced slightly, add the chopped scallions and cook them through. Finish with a drizzle of 1 Tbsp sesame oil for extra fragrance.
Step 11
Your spicy, savory, and slightly sweet soy-braised pork is ready! It’s a fantastic side dish for rice and even works as a tasty appetizer or snack. Enjoy this simple yet flavorful dish!
