Chinese Roast Pork (Char Siu)

laurenlikesfood's Note:

Sweet, delicious roast pork. Recipe adapted from my chef's version at culinary school. If you follow all the steps, it's the best char siu you'll ever have. I am usually "lazy" and use the marinade on a pork roast, then glaze it at the end.

• Total Time: 24 hrs 35 mins
• Prep Time: 24 hrs
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 6-8

Yield: 1.5 lbs.

• 1/4 cup minced peeled ginger
• 2 tablespoons minced peeled garlic
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup chinese rice wine or 1/4 cup dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 2 lbs pork shoulder, cut with grain into (1 1/2-inch x 1 1/2-inch x 10-inch)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions:

1. First day preparation:
2. To make the marinade, combine the first 8 ingredients in a freshly-sanitized plastic container just large enough to hold the pork snug - or - in a Ziploc plastic bag. Reserve 1/4 cup of marinade for glaze. Add the pork, turn well to coat, and refrigerate at least 24 hours and not longer than 48 hours.
3. Second day preparation:
4. Preheat oven to 450°F Set a pan filled with 1" water on the bottom rack.
5. Combine the honey, 2 Tbs. soy, sesame oil, and 1/4 cup pork marinade in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Set aside.
6. Place pork strips on broiler pan and put on rack above water pan. Roast 10 minutes.
7. Brush with 1/3 of the glaze, roast 10 minutes more, and then lower the heat to 350°F
8. Brush with half of remaining glaze and roast 10 minutes more.
9. Brush with remaining glaze and turn off oven. Remove from oven after 5 minutes and cool to room temperature on a rack (if using for Bao; otherwise, serve it up!).

Reviews

[**Tinkerbell**]

AMAZING!!! I don't think there ARE words to describe how tender & delicious this pork was. Made as directed, except I used a tenderloin (grocery store did not have a shoulder/butt at the time). Wow. The water bath was great for keeping the meat moist. Oh, I forgot to cut the tenderloin into strips before marinating so I did it right before cooking, dunked them in the marinade & then put them on the broiler pan. Every ingredient that went into this marinade played a part in creating a well-balanced, subtle yet very flavorful meat. The glaze was excellent also. My family went crazy over this recipe & even picky DD ate it! I served it with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes & Mixed Green Salad With Fresh Peaches, Basil and Chevre. Thank you SO much for sharing this recipe, Icedcacti! It's going into the "definitely make again" file! Made for Fall 2009 Pick A Chef. http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewtopic.zsp?t=310505&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[Niteflyer]

Made this for dinner this past week-end and family thought it was really good. Meat was very tender and had nice flavor. Will make again.

[gailanng]

Testing this one out for my dh's birthday. I know how excited he is about getting older.