Eat for Eight Bucks: Pork Belly Sandwiches, Chinese-Style

Name: Eat for Eight Bucks: Pork Belly Sandwiches, Chinese-Style
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 1 head Half a of green cabbage, very finely shredded; 2 servings Chili sauce or cayenne pepper to taste; 1 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 1 large egg yolk; 1 inch peeled fresh ginger; 2 cloves garlic, very finely minced; 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice; 454 grams boneless pork belly, cut in three equal-sized pieces; 2 servings Salt; 2 servings Fine salt; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 2 Tbsps soy sauce; 2 sticks cinnamon and 2 whole star anise or 1 tablespoon five-spice powder (see A note on spices, above, for other spice options); 1 teaspoon sugar; 118 milliliters neutral-flavored vegetable oil, such as canola; 2 Tbsps vegetable oil; 2 servings Water

Eat for Eight Bucks: Pork Belly Sandwiches, Chinese-Style might be just the main course you are searching for. This recipe serves 2. This recipe covers 40% of your daily requirements of vitamins and minerals. Watching your figure? This gluten free and dairy free recipe has 1963 calories, 31g of protein, and 194g of fat per serving. From preparation to the plate, this recipe takes about 45 minutes. Head to the store and pick up lemon juice, neutral-flavored vegetable oil, sugar, and a few other things to make it today. To use up the fresh ginger you could follow this main course with the Fresh Ginger Cookies as a dessert.

Instructions

In a large Dutch oven or wok, heat oil and sugar over medium-high heat, swirling vessel until sugar liquefies and turns a warm amber color.

Ingredients you will need

Sugar

Cooking Oil

Equipment you will use

Dutch Oven

Wok

Place pork belly slices in wok and sear on all sides, about 1 minute per side, using tongs to turn.

Ingredients you will need

Pork Belly Slices

Equipment you will use

Tongs

Wok

Pour enough cold water into vessel to cover the pork.

Ingredients you will need

Water

Pork

Add soy sauce, spices, ginger, garlic, and salt. Bring to a boil and skim any scum that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 hours, until pork is very tender and fat is easily penetrated with a spoon. If water level falls during cooking, replenish so that pork remains submerged.

Ingredients you will need

Soy Sauce

Garlic

Ginger

Spices

Water

Pork

Salt

Remove pork belly and set aside. Strain solids from braising liquid and return liquid to pan. Over high heat, reduce until lightly thickened and glossy. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Ingredients you will need

Pork Belly

Seasoning

Equipment you will use

Frying Pan

Slice pork into 1/3-inch thick slices. Lightly coat in reduced braising sauce.

Ingredients you will need

Sauce

Pork

Sautéed Green Cabbage

Ingredients you will need

Green Cabbage

- will fill 6 large or 12-15 mini sandwiches -

Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.

Ingredients you will need

Vegetable Oil

Equipment you will use

Frying Pan

Add cabbage and sauté until crisp-tender, about 8 minutes. In the last minute of cooking, add sugar and sesame oil and stir to coat. Season well with salt.

Ingredients you will need

Sesame Oil

Cabbage

Sugar

Salt

Chili Aïoli

Ingredients you will need

Chili Pepper

Whisk together mustard, lemon juice and egg yolk in a bowl.

Ingredients you will need

Lemon Juice

Egg Yolk

Mustard

Equipment you will use

Whisk

Bowl

Add oil to yolk mixture a few drops at a time, whisking constantly, until all oil is incorporated and mixture is emulsified.

Ingredients you will need

Egg Yolk

Cooking Oil

Equipment you will use

Whisk

Whisk in garlic and chili sauce or cayenne pepper to taste. Season with salt. If aïoli is too thick, whisk in 1 or 2 drops of water; it should be creamy, but much looser in consistency than store-bought mayonnaise.

Ingredients you will need

Cayenne Pepper

Chili Sauce

Mayonnaise

Garlic

Water

Salt

Equipment you will use

Whisk

To Assemble

Serve the sandwiches pre-assembled, or let each person build his own.

Optional extras: Any kind of Asian pickle, such as picked radish or kimchi; coarsely chopped cilantro.

Ingredients you will need

Cilantro

Kimchi

Pickles

Radish

On a metal steaming rack or bamboo steamer set over simmering water, steam Chinese buns for 10-15 minutes, until tender and puffy. Slice open, leaving a hinge.

Ingredients you will need

Water

Roll

Spread each bun with chili aïoli; stuff with cabbage, pork belly, and extra condiments, if using; drizzle with the reduced braising sauce. Close bun and gently squish.

Ingredients you will need

Pork Belly

Cabbage

Sauce

Chili Pepper

Roll