Your New Favorite Side Dish: Braised Pork with Garlic

If you are wondering what to put on the dinner table tonight, look no further. This Braised Pork with Garlic is an absolute showstopper. Glazed in a perfectly balanced sweet and savory soy sauce, the tender pieces of pork belly or foreleg absorb every bit of the delicious marinade. The generous amount of whole garlic cloves cooked alongside the meat not only eliminates any gaminess but also adds a mild, sweet, and deeply aromatic flavor profile.

Ingredients You Will Need

Gather the following simple ingredients to create this mouth-watering dish:

  • Main Ingredients: Pork foreleg (400g), Whole garlic cloves (1 handful)
  • Pork Marinade: Rice wine (1T), Ginger powder (1/2 tsp), Herb salt (1/2T)
  • Sweet Soy Glaze: Soy sauce (3T), Sugar (1T), Oligosaccharide or Honey (2T), Minced garlic (1/2T), Oyster sauce (1T), Mirin (2T), Sesame oil (1T), Water (1/4 cup)
  • Garnish: Roasted sesame seeds

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Marinate the Pork

Cut the pork foreleg into bite-sized strips. In a mixing bowl, toss the pork with rice wine, ginger powder, and herb salt. Let it rest for about 10 to 15 minutes. This crucial step tenderizes the meat and removes any unwanted odors.

2. Infuse the Oil

Heat a pan over medium heat with a drizzle of cooking oil. Toss in the whole garlic cloves and sauté until they turn golden brown. The infused garlic oil will serve as the flavorful foundation for our dish.

3. Sear the Meat

Add the marinated pork to the garlic-infused pan. Stir-fry constantly until the outside of the meat is no longer pink.

4. Simmer on Low Heat

Pour in the prepared sweet soy glaze mixture. Stir well, then cover the pan with a lid. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. The steam trapped inside will ensure the pork becomes incredibly tender.

5. Glaze and Caramelize

After 15 minutes, remove the lid and turn the heat up to high. Stir-fry vigorously until the liquid reduces into a thick, sticky glaze that beautifully coats every piece of pork and garlic.

6. Serve

Transfer the glorious braised pork onto a serving plate and sprinkle generously with roasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately with a steaming bowl of rice!