Sweet & Sticky Pork Belly over Rice

When I was making this dish I actually had something else in mind but I think it came out better this way. Bite sized pieces of tender pork belly covered in a sweet and sticky sauce topped with roasted sesame seeds, diced scallions, and served along side some warm rice. Really, nothing beats it.

This pork belly is perfect for serving on top of rice because its sweet and sticky and the sauce gets soaked up by the fluffy rice. So freaking yummy! But honestly, it sounds great over some chewy and bouncy noodles too! I've never tried it but its sounds delicious.

This dish kinda reminds me of Chinese take out but so much better considering I know exactly what is going into it. Plus, it only uses one pot so you already know this one is a winner in my book. Check out the recipe below!

Sweet & Sticky Pork Belly

Ingredients:

• ¾ pound of pork belly or pork shoulder cut into 1 inch/bite sized pieces

• 1 onion, sliced

• 1/4 cup of brown sugar 

• 2 tablespoons of water

• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce 

• 1 teaspoon of dark soy sauce

• 2 teaspoons of fish sauce 

• 1 teaspoon of sesame oil 

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 

• 2 slices of ginger 

• ½ teaspoon of black pepper

• 1 cup of water or coconut water

Instructions:

1. In a pot, add in 2 -3 tablespoon of oil. Once it starts to shimmer add in your pork belly. Sear on all sides.

2. Next, add in your onion slices and sauté for 5 minutes or until soft and translucent.

3. To your pot add in ½ cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of water, 2  tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of dark soy sauce, 2 teaspoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 2 slices of ginger, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir everything together and let it cook for a minute or two.

4. Then gently pour in your water. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes then bring down the flame to a medium low and continue cooking for one hour uncovered. Give it a stir at the 30 minute mark, 45 minute mark, and during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Keep an eye on the water level and how soft the pork is.

5. By the end of the hour, check to see that your sauce is thick and sticky while the pork belly is tender. If you feel that your pork belly is not soft enough or that your sauce has dried up add another ¼ cup of water and cook for about 20 minutes more. Repeat this step until you like the consistency of your sauce and the tenderness of your pork belly.

6. Shut off the flame, give it a quick stir to coat all the pork with the sticky sauce and top with chopped scallions and sesame seeds. Serve while hot with some rice!