Pork Asado

This dish is very similar to Beef Pares, only it is made pork and the sauce is thicker and a bit sweeter. Both are delicious, but I love the sauce of this recipe better.

What you need:

1.5 to 2 pounds pork shoulder
3/4 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon peppercorns
1 whole head of garlic, crushed and peeled
2 small onions, quartered
2 pieces star anise
2 - 3 pieces bay leaves
1/2 tablespoon black bean sauce
2 teaspoons corn starch
A splash of sesame seed oil
Water
Vegetable oil for frying

What to do:

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add the pork and brown it evenly on all sides, then set aside.

Put water in a pot enough to almost cover the pork (I used 4 cups). Add the rest of the ingredients (except the flour and sesame oil), and adjust by adding more soy sauce or sugar to achieve a balance between the tastes. Simmer the pork for an hour (longer if you have a bigger slab of meat).

After an hour, remove the pork out of the liquid and put in a serving tray. Strain the braising liquid and return it to the pot. Add the flour to thicken it and stir. Remove from the heat after 2 to 3 minutes and add a splash of sesame seed oil. Pour the liquid on top of the pork. Serve hot!

Tips, Tricks and Tweaks:

1. Skip the black bean sauce if you don't have it in your pantry. Try Hoisin sauce instead.
2. After removing the meat from the braising liquid, cut it in slices before pouring the sauce on top of it.
3. Avoid getting a cut of meat that has a bone in the middle. It might be more flavorful, but could be harder to slice.
4. Use the leftovers for making siopao!