Lu Rou Fan

Lu Rou Fan is a braised pork belly sauce - full of texture, well spiced, salty and slightly sweet - it hits all the right notes. 

Our attempt at making Lu Rou Fan filled the house with a mouth watering aroma and yielded enough delicious sauce to scoop up for days. Every one has their own take on this dish - when I asked a friend who takes Lu Rou Fan seriously what the most important thing to say about the dish - she replied - don't throw the fat away! Use it on everything.

Lu Rou Fan Recipe 

Ingredients:
1 lb. Pork Belly
1 cup Fried Shallots or Onions
Oil
4 Cloves of Garlic, Sliced
3 tsps Rock Sugar
1/4 cup Shoaxing Wine
2 Tbls Each light and dark Soy Sauce
3-4 Slices of Ginger

Rinse the shiitakes in cold water. Then cover them in warm water for 20 minutes or until softened. Remove and dice, reserving the liquid to use later.
Dice pork belly into small pieces. Place a wide pan over medium heat. Pour oil into the pan, tilting it around so the entire bottom is covered in oil. Add pork belly pieces. Stir occasionally until cooked.

Add rock sugar and stir well before adding garlic and shallots. Next, add the mushrooms, reserved mushroom water, wine, soy sauce, spices, and ginger slices. Make sure that there is enough liquid to cover the pork belly. If not, add more water.

Bring to a boil and then let simmer for about an hour. Check the meat. It should be tender and pull apart easily. Serve over rice alongside soft boiled eggs, bok choy, green beans, or green onions.