Braised Pork Belly with Seasonal Greens and Tofu (火腩時菜豆腐)
火腩時菜豆腐, or Braised Pork Belly with Seasonal Greens and Tofu, is a hearty and flavorful Chinese dish that combines succulent pork belly with fresh greens and soft tofu. The dish is rich in texture and full of umami flavors, making it a comforting and satisfying meal. Here’s a simple recipe to bring this dish to your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Pork Belly:
- 500 g pork belly cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 star anise
- 1 small piece of cinnamon stick
- 2 slices of ginger
For the Rest of the Dish:
- 200 g fresh seasonal greens like bok choy, spinach, or Chinese broccoli
- 1 block of firm tofu cut into cubes
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
- Water for blanching
Instructions
Marinate the Pork Belly:
- In a bowl, combine the pork belly with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sugar, star anise, cinnamon stick, and ginger slices. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Blanch the Pork Belly:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch the marinated pork belly for about 5 minutes to remove excess fat. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Greens and Tofu:
- In the same boiling water, blanch the greens briefly, then plunge into cold water to retain their color. Drain and set aside.
- Lightly pan-fry the tofu cubes until golden on all sides. Set aside.
Cook the Pork Belly:
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and stir-fry until aromatic.
- Add the blanched pork belly and stir-fry until browned.
Braise the Pork Belly:
- Add enough water to cover the pork belly. Bring to a simmer, cover, and let it cook for about 30-40 minutes, or until the pork is tender.
Add Tofu and Greens:
- Add the tofu cubes and blanched greens to the wok.
- Simmer together for an additional 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Season:
- Adjust seasoning with salt or additional soy sauce if necessary.
Serve:
- Serve the Braised Pork Belly with Seasonal Greens and Tofu hot, accompanied by steamed rice or your choice of side.
