Braised Pork Belly with Tofu (火腩豆腐)
火腩豆腐, or Braised Pork Belly with Tofu, is a classic Chinese dish that combines the richness of pork belly with the soft, smooth texture of tofu. It's a comforting, flavorful dish typically simmered in a savory sauce, making it a favorite in many households. Here's a recipe for you to recreate this delicious dish at home.
Ingredients
For the Pork Belly:
- 500 g pork belly sliced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine or dry sherry
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 cup water or chicken stock
For the Tofu:
- 1 block of firm tofu cut into cubes
- 1 green onion chopped for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Pork Belly:
- Blanch the pork belly slices in boiling water for about 5 minutes to remove impurities. Drain and set aside.
Brown the Pork Belly:
- Heat the oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add the pork belly and fry until golden brown on both sides.
Add Aromatics:
- Add the minced garlic and ginger to the pan. Sauté until fragrant.
Add Seasonings:
- Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine, sugar, star anise, and cinnamon stick. Cook for a minute until the sugar dissolves.
Add Water or Stock:
- Pour in water or chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
Simmer:
- Cover and let the pork belly simmer for about 30 minutes, or until tender.
Prepare the Tofu:
- In a separate pan, lightly fry the tofu cubes until golden brown. This step is optional but adds a nice texture to the tofu.
Combine Pork and Tofu:
- Add the fried tofu to the pan with the pork belly. Gently stir to coat the tofu with the sauce.
Season and Garnish:
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped green onions.
Serve:
- Serve the braised pork belly with tofu hot, ideally with steamed rice or noodles.