Description
A mouthwatering Vietnamese classic, this dish balances tender pork with a sweet, savory caramel sauce. Perfect for a comforting family dinner or to impress your guests!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs pork belly or shoulder, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1/4 cup sugar (brown or palm sugar preferred)
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 cup coconut water
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 hard-boiled eggs (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Pork: Cut the pork into bite-sized chunks. If using pork belly, trim excess fat if desired.
- Make the Caramel: In a dry pan, heat sugar over medium heat. Stir constantly until it melts into a deep amber color. Immediately remove from heat to prevent burning. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat a tablespoon of oil. Add the shallots and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and golden.
- Cook the Pork: Add the pork to the pot. Sear on all sides until lightly browned.
- Add Sauces: Pour in the caramel, fish sauce, and black pepper. Stir to coat the pork evenly.
- Simmer: Add coconut water to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and the pork should become tender.
- Optional Eggs: Add hard-boiled eggs during the last 15 minutes of cooking to absorb the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice, fresh herbs, and pickled vegetables on the side.
Notes
- Caramel Timing is Key: When making the caramel, keep a close eye on the sugar as it melts. Stir constantly and remove it from heat as soon as it turns a deep amber color to prevent burning, as burnt caramel will give the dish a bitter taste.
- Use Coconut Water for Flavor: Coconut water adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the sauce. If you don’t have coconut water, substitute with chicken broth or water, but the flavor will differ slightly.
- Simmer Low and Slow: For tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork, let it simmer on low heat for at least 45 minutes. This allows the meat to absorb all the flavors and the sauce to thicken beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 1 hour