Vietnamese Braised Pork in Coconut

Submitted by Xexe383

"Take note that this Vietnamese classic pork dish uses coconut juice, not to be confused with coconut milk. Your local Asian market should carry this product. The addition of hard-cooked egg as a garnish is a good way to introduce extra protein. From "Home Cooking Around The World.""

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 10mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• 1 (14 ounce) can coconut juice (See Note)
• 3 tablespoons vietnamese fish sauce (nuoc mam)
• 4 shallots, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
• 1⁄2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 hardboiled egg, peeled and cut into wedges
• 1⁄2 lb pork shoulder, with some fat,cut into 1 inch cubes

directions

1. In a clay pot or large saucepan, stir together the sugar and water.
2. Over low heat, cook until it's a golden color, 5 to 10 minutes; watch closely, since as soon as the color begins to change, the sugar mixture can darken very quickly and burn.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Carefully stir in the coconut juice and fish sauce-- there may be a little spattering.
5. Return to very low heat and stir until well blended, scraping up any caramelized pieces stuck to bottom of pan.
6. Stir in the pork.
7. Then stir in the shallots, ginger and five-spice powder.
8. Simmer, partially covered, until pork is very tender, about 2 hours, stirring from time to time and checking to make sure liquid is not simmering too hard.
9. When done, stir in the pepper.
10. To serve, bring the clay pot to the table and serve from that, or spoon the stew into bowls.
11. Garnish with the wedges of hard-cooked egg.
12. Note: Do not substitute coconut milk.