Star Anise-Braised Pork Belly

The Star Anise-Braised Pork Belly meal is guaranteed to delight your taste buds. This meal’s distinct combination of aromas is ascribed to the star anise, a regularly employed spice in Chinese cuisine. This fragrant spice is reminiscent of licorice and imparts a unique and profound taste to the meal.  To prepare this meal, the pork belly is initially seared to achieve a crunchy outer layer. Subsequently, the meat is simmered in a blend of soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and star anise. Combining these ingredients produces a highly flavored sauce that profoundly penetrates the pork belly, making a delectably rich and savory taste.
 
This dish is ideal for a meaningful event or an elegant dinner gathering. This dish is simple to make and will astonish your visitors with its intricate taste and stunning appearance. Pair it with a portion of steaming rice and a medley of stir-fried veggies to create a well-rounded dinner.

Star Anise-Braised Pork Belly recipe is guaranteed to satiate your desires and yearning for additional servings.

If you desire an uncomplicated and refined culinary creation, direct your attention to Star Anise-Braised Pork Belly. This recipe is guaranteed to satiate your desires and yearning for additional servings. Therefore, I encourage you to witness the enchantment of star anise.

Star Anise-Braised Pork Belly
 
Components:

1 lb of pork belly with the skin still attached

One onion, diced
Two cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 tbsp of vegetable oil
1 tbsp of soy sauce
One tablespoon of Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
1 tbsp sugar
0.5 teaspoons of whole star anise
0.25 teaspoons of black peppercorns
One tablespoon of minced ginger

0.25 cups of water

Directions:
 
Set the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius).
Warm the vegetable oil in a spacious Dutch oven on medium heat.
Place the pork belly into the cooking surface and continue cooking until it is evenly browned on all sides.
Extract the pork belly from the saucepan and place it aside.
 
Place the onion, garlic, and ginger in the pot and sauté until tender, approximately 5 minutes.
Combine the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sugar, star anise, and peppercorns in the pot and heat until it reaches boiling point.
Place the pork belly back into the pot and pour sufficient water to submerge the meat entirely.
Heat till boiling, then decrease the temperature to a low setting and cover.
 
Cook over low heat for 2 hours or until the pork belly is tender and easily breaks apart.
Extract the pork belly from the saucepan and place it aside.
 
Raise the temperature to medium-high and simmer the sauce until it becomes thicker, which should take approximately 10 minutes.
Reintroduce the pork belly to the pot and thoroughly cover it with the sauce.
Accompany with either rice or noodles.

Star Anise-Poached Pears
 
Components:
 
Six mature pears, with the skin and core removed
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water
One stick of cinnamon
0.5 teaspoons of whole star anise
0.25 teaspoons of whole clove

Directions:
 
In a large saucepan, cook the sugar, water, cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves over medium heat.
Heat the mixture until it reaches boiling point, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
 
Place the pears in the saucepan and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender.
 
Extract the pears from the saucepan and allow them to cool to a moderate temperature.
Serve the pears, either warm or cold, pouring the poaching liquid over them.

Chai flavored with star anise
 
Components:
 
1 cup of water
0.5 cups of milk
0.25 teaspoons of black peppercorns
0.25 teaspoons of ginger powder
0.25 teaspoons of ground cloves
0.25 teaspoons of nutmeg powder
0.25 teaspoons of cinnamon powder
0.125 teaspoons of ground star anise. Add honey or sugar according to your taste

Directions:
 
Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and cook them over medium heat.
Heat the mixture until it reaches a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes or until the flavors have blended.
Filter the tea into a cup and add honey or sugar according to personal preference.
 
Star anise is versatile and can be used in many dishes, including sweet and savory ones. Engage in imaginative exploration and venture into diverse flavor combinations to discover your preference for star anise recipes.

About Dominic E.

Film Student and Full-time Medical Writer for ContentVendor.com