Thịt kho - Viet Braised Pork
Please note the Braised Pork seen here is slightly modified from the traditional Vietnamese version. The traditional version uses pork belly and has boiled eggs. Please use pork belly if you can eat them. I am trying to bring my bad cholesterol level down so I am using a leaner cut of pork. I am also using a clay pot to cook the braised pork. You can make this meatless by using tofu, add boiled eggs and bamboo shoots. Use the same seasoning so you can still get the flavor of the braised sauce. One of the benefits of cooking in the clay pot is that the pork and the sauce taste like they have been simmer over wood heat stove just like how my grandmother made braised pork in Vietnam. Traditionally the braised pork is served with rice and pickled vegetables. Here I am serving them in a rice paper roll together with pickled vegetables, arugula and herbs. You will be surprised at how refreshing and delicious this taste!
Ingredients
3 lbs pork shoulder cut in any size you prefer
1 can coconut soda
3 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp dark soy sauce
3 tsp salt; 3 tsp pepper
4 garlic cloves
1 shallot
2 chili
3 tbsp sugar
Instructions
Cut the pork into medium to large pieces.
Bring 4 cups of water boiling on high, or enough to fully submerge the pork. When the water's boiling, add 1 tbsp salt and pork for 1-2 minutes just to clean it. Drain then rinse the pork under running water until the water is clear. Transfer the Pork to Clay Pot
Make the caramelized sauce: add 1 tsp water to the small pan bring to boil; add sugar to the pan on low heat or low enough to control the process, keep an eye on the pan, don’t let the sugar turns to caramelized color too fast and whatever you do don’t burn the sauce! Add oil, chopped garlic, chopped shallots, chili and stir constantly. Pour the caramelized sauce to the clay pot.
Add the coconut soda, fish sauce, dark soy sauce, and salt/pepper to the pot.
Cover the lid and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Taste the broth and adjust sugar, fish sauce to your liking. If you are planning to serve with rice, you may want to add another tbsp of fish sauce. Let the clay pot pork rest for an hour.
After 1 hour, remove the lid and turn the heat to medium to boil. Cover the lid and turn the heat to low and simmer for another 20 minutes. Cook time may be less if you cut the pork pieces into smaller size.
Cook time for slow cooker
Cook high for 3-4 hour. Add one cup of water in addition to all the ingredients listed above if you plan to add eggs or tofu to the braised pork. Taste the broth after one hour to ensure of right amount of sweet/salt for your taste buds.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
