Thai Style Braised Pork Belly

prep time:: 20 min
total time:: 1.5 hr

Makes 2

After learning to make bacon, I found myself with pork belly trimmings on a regular basis. When looking for a good braised pork belly recipe, we found this one right away and never looked back. It is an incredibly rich dish, so expect to feel full and happy afterwards.

ingredients

500g pork belly with skin, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tbsp oil
1/2 tbsp white peppercorns
1 tbsp cilantro stems
1 tbsp garlic
4 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp dark soy sauce
4 tbsp dark brown sugar
3 cups water

directions

1
Using a mortar and pestle or food processor, grind the white peppercorns, coriander roots and garlic into a fine paste.
2
Heat a sturdy pan with a lid, add oil and lightly brown the pork belly over medium heat. Remove from pan and set aside.
3
Using the same pan, stir fry the pepper and coriander paste over low heat till fragrant. Add the fish sauce, dark soy sauce, palm sugar and 1/4 cup water. Turn the heat up to medium and bring the sauce to a boil. Add the pork belly, stirring to coat every piece of meat with the sauce.
4
Add the remaining water to the pan, bring the sauce to boil again. Turn down to low heat and half cover the pan. Simmer until the liquid is reduced by half and the pork belly is tender. This will take about 1 to 1 1/2 hour.
5
Serve over rice.