Stewed Pork Belly with Mustard Greens (梅菜扣肉)

Background: This is a super yummy dish that goes well with a bowl of rice or in a steamed bun “mantou” (饅頭) with crushed peanuts and cilantro. It’s super easy to make, and you can make it on the stove or in your crock pot.

Ingredients:

• 1 pork belly slab (about 2 lbs)
• 2 whole star anise
• 4 tablespoons of sugar (or 1 medium chunk of rock sugar)
• 1/4 cup of Shao Shing wine or Mi Jiu (rice wine)
• 3 to 4 Tablespoons of dark soy bean sauce (老抽)
• 1/2 cup of dried mustard greens (梅菜) that have been soaked and chopped (Note: sometimes these can be sandy, so make sure that they are properly cleaned prior using in the dish).
• 2 cups of water
• 1 bunch of scallions (chopped in 4 pieces)

Preparation:

1. Slice pork belly in pieces and brown in deep pot (about 1 minute a side)
2. Add star anise, rock sugar, scallions and saute for about 2 minutes.
3. Add water and bring to boil.
4. Once boiled, keep on low heat and add dark soy sauce, wine and mustard greens.
5. Cook for about 2 hours on the low heat.
6. May add additional sugar or soy sauce for color/taste

Enjoy!