Description
This Savory Pork Belly with Spicy Garlic Sauce recipe boasts a perfect balance of rich, succulent pork belly infused with aromatic spices and a bold, spicy garlic sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it combines savory soy, spicy Lao Gan Ma chili sauce, and a hint of nutty sesame oil, garnished with fresh cilantro, toasted peanuts, and sesame seeds for a delightful texture and flavor contrast. Ideal for a flavorful and quick dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pork Belly and Aromatics
- 1 pound Pork Belly
- 2 slices Ginger
- 2 leaves Bay Leaves
- 1 stick Cinnamon Stick
- 1 teaspoon Sichuan Peppercorn
- 2 pieces Dried Chili Peppers
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Lao Gan Ma Black Beans Chili Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese Vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Sesame Oil
Garnish
- 1 bunch Fresh Cilantro
- 1/4 cup Toasted Peanuts
- 1 tablespoon Toasted Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Prepare Pork Belly: Cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces. In a large skillet or pan over medium heat, add the pork belly pieces and cook until the fat starts to render and the meat is browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
- Infuse Aromatics: Add the ginger slices, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, Sichuan peppercorns, and dried chili peppers to the pan with the pork. Stir to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together minced garlic, soy sauce, Lao Gan Ma chili sauce, Chinese vinegar, and sesame oil. Pour this mixture over the pork belly and spices in the skillet.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the pork belly simmer in the spicy garlic sauce, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly, about 8 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat. Discard the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, and whole spices if desired. Transfer the pork belly to a serving plate. Sprinkle with toasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro leaves before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the quantity of Lao Gan Ma chili sauce and dried chili peppers to control the spiciness level according to your preference.
- To enhance the texture, you can crisp the pork belly pieces longer in the initial step before adding the aromatics.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables to balance the rich flavors.
- Make sure to toast the peanuts and sesame seeds beforehand to maximize their crunch and aroma.
- Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best flavor impact in the sauce.
