Authentic Hong shao rou Recipe Hunan, China

Hong Shao Rou, also known as red braised pork belly, is a traditional Chinese dish from the Hunan and Zhejiang provinces that holds a special place in Shanghai cuisine. The dish features pork belly braised in a mixture of soy sauce, caramelized sugar, and various spices, resulting in tender, flavorful meat with a glossy, caramelized coating. The Shanghai version consists of pork belly cut into thick pieces, caramelized sugar to achieve a signature red color and sweetness, and both light and dark soy sauces to add depth of flavor and color. The Hunan version, which is more traditional, will also include the Shaoxing wine, a Chinese cooking wine that enhances the overall flavor, and aromatics such as ginger, garlic, star anise, and cinnamon add complexity, dried chili peppers, bay leaves, and scallions. Unlike the Shanghai version, which is a mix of sweet and savory, the Hunan version is more spicy and aromatic. The cooking process begins with blanching the pork belly in boiling water ... Read more