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Thursday, July 11, 2013

Sweet n chilli pork belly - a quick dish made by novice cooker


 Who would have imagined that I would someday becoming a better cook? Not me surely and not my husband either - I am one of those who runs in the other direction if any topic associated with kitchen or cooking comes upon. I usually let the other people do the work, I even prefer to clean up then cook. Although I love browsing yummy recipes and fantasize of making them, I haven't made any effort in that direction. But for the past one year, being a stay at home mom, i finally made some initiative although not by choice. Being a stay at home mom, now I have the responsibility of making the dinner for my household. And so along the way I have picked my some culinary skills. I was initially looking on sites to make pork belly dishes but the recipes take far too long and most of the ingredients needed weren't in my pantry. I like to be in and out of my kitchen in an hour. So this dish is in an experimental one that came out stupendous and thus I thought the need to share it.
I had my cousin and his thai girlfriend staying with us for awhile, before they moved into a place of their own. I essentially watched and learnt from his thai girl friend how to make some nice Asian dishes, most of which  required some soy sauce (thick and thin), pepper, chilli powder, salt, honey,coriander, garlic and ginger and all those go in this dish. Now the utensil I used to cook my pork belly was the pressure cooker( usually used in most Indian household). 

So what goes into this pork belly dish.

2 chopped red onions
500 gms of pork belly (chopped in cubes)
1 cube of frozen garlic ( about 4 cloves of garlic)
1 cube of frozen ginger ( about 1 root ginger)
1 chicken stock cube
200 ml water
4 tablespoons of sugar or honey
1 tablespoon of hot pepper sauce( optional - we like things a bit fiery at home.)
1 tsp chilli powder
2 tsp of chilli oil(optional)
2 tablespoon thick soya sauce
1 tsp of pepper
1 tablespoon of cornstarch
salt to taste
few  pieces chopped coriander 

1. So in goes the chopped pork, thick soya sauce, sugar or honey and chilli oil into the pressure cooker.
Now to have the pork belly, soft and nice using the pressure cooker  - I would put the stove on high, wait for the first whistle which happens to be in about 5 mins or and then turn the heat to medium level so it can simmer in there for 10 to 15 mins. ( a tip i got  through pinterest  )
If you don't happen to have a pressure cooker, then cook the pork in tighly closed dish, cook on high for 5 mins and on medium for it to simmer for 20-25mins.
2. On another cooking dish, put in the chopped onions, garlic, ginger, chilli powder,pepper,salt,chicken stock cube and water. Let the water come to a boil and then simmer till the pork is ready.
3. Add in the pork belly from the pressure cooker to the cooking dish and let it simmer for 10 minutes.If the dish happens to be watery add in some cornstarch for thickening.
4.  Check to see if the chilli, sugar and salt taste are in sync and if you need it more spicy add some hot pepper sauce.
5. Add in some chopped coriander for garnish and Voila! the dish is done!


4 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Diane, if you ever happen to try the recipe...let me know how it comes about:)

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  2. This sounds so delicious, and even though I'm AFRAID of pressure cookers, the sauce sounds like it will work well in the Crock Pot, which is more my speed! Like you, I'm not a natural chef. I struggle through recipes and cook only VERY SIMPLE things, but I'm always looking for something yummy!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Joy! I have never really done it in a Crock Pot, but surely give it a try....i think a slow cooker does well for this recipe...and let me know how it comes about!! And about struggling with recipes...I am the same...i am just quite happy when it all comes out right!!!

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