Finished dish photo of Braised Pork Belly (Pressure Cooker Version)

Braised Pork Belly (Pressure Cooker Version)

Tried making braised pork belly at home for the first time, surprisingly it turned out quite delicious and not too difficult. Here's a summary!

Ingredients

Pork belly500g
Cooking wine2 tablespoons
Cinnamon stick1 piece
SaltTo taste
Sugar2 tablespoons
Light soy sauce1 tablespoon
Dark soy sauce1 teaspoon
Ginger2 slices
Green garlic3 sections
Small chili pepper1 piece
Oyster sauceTo taste
Star anise1 piece
ScallionsA few stalks

Steps

1

First, cut the pork belly into sections, and chop the scallions, ginger, and garlic for later use.

undefined 1
Click to enlarge
2

Add the pork pieces into a pot of cold water, along with scallions, ginger, and cooking wine. Once the water boils and scum rises to the surface, remove the pork pieces and set aside.

undefined 2
Click to enlarge
3

Pan-fry the blanched pork pieces in a pot to render out the fat.

undefined 3
Click to enlarge
4

Use the rendered pork fat to stir-fry the garlic cloves, green garlic, and ginger slices. Once fragrant, add the pork and stir-fry together before removing from the pot.

undefined 4
Click to enlarge
5

Add a small amount of oil and 2 tablespoons of sugar to the pot. Heat on low until the sugar melts and caramelizes, stirring occasionally. Then add the pork pieces and stir-fry.

undefined 5
Click to enlarge
6

After evenly stir-frying, add 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce, a cinnamon stick, star anise, 1 teaspoon of dark soy sauce, 2 teaspoons of salt, a generous amount of cooking wine, a small bowl of water, 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, and the small chili pepper. Simmer gently.

undefined 6
Click to enlarge
7

Transfer to a pressure cooker and cook for 15 minutes.

undefined 7
Click to enlarge
8

After cooking, plate the pork. Add a small amount of sugar, white pepper, and vinegar to the remaining sauce, then thicken with cornstarch slurry. Pour the braised sauce over the pork, and it’s done!

undefined 8
Click to enlarge

Cooking Tips

1. It’s best to use yellow rice wine if possible! If not available, cooking wine works as a substitute, add a bit more for enhanced flavor. 2. To thaw pork, you can use cold water with a pinch of salt. 3. Use low heat when caramelizing sugar. If you’re worried about failure, you can substitute with rock sugar during the simmering process.