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Cha Siu Pork (Char Siu Pork) Recipe Better Than Takeout!

If you’re craving Chinese takeout but want to enjoy that mouth-watering taste and aroma in the comfort of your own home, look no further than this delicious Cha Siu Pork recipe. This Cantonese-style roasted pork, characterised by its glossy, caramelised exterior and tender, juicy interior, is a favourite dish among Chinese cuisine enthusiasts. The good news is that you can recreate this beloved dish with a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time. Trust us; this recipe is better than anything you could get from your local takeaway!

What is Cha Siu Pork?

Cha Siu, meaning "fork roar," refers to the traditional method of cooking the pork over an open flame. The dish is characterised by its sweet and savoury marinade, which includes soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and various spices, creating an irresistible flavour profile. Often served with steamed rice, noodles, or in bao buns, this dish is incredibly versatile. Whether you enjoy it hot or cold, it’s truly a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 500g pork shoulder or pork belly
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey (or maltose for authenticity)
• 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon rice wine (Shaoxing wine)
• A pinch of red food colouring (optional, for that iconic red colour)

For the Glaze:

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pork

1. Choose Your Cut: Start with 500g of pork shoulder or pork belly for the best balance of flavour and tenderness. Cut the meat into long strips, about 5-7 cm in width. This will ensure even marination and cooking.

Step 2: Make the Marinade

1. Mix the Marinade: In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, honey, Chinese five-spice powder, minced garlic, rice wine, and red food colouring (if using). Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated.

2. Marinate the Meat: Place the pork strips into a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring it is fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight. The longer it marinates, the deeper the flavours will be.

Step 3: Cook the Pork

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (fan oven) or 220°C (conventional oven).

2. Prepare for Roasting: Line a baking tray with aluminium foil for easy cleaning. Place a wire rack on top of the tray to allow the fat to drip off while cooking.

3. Place the Meat: Remove the pork from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Reserve the marinade for basting later. Lay the pork strips on the wire rack.

4. Roast: Roast the pork in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through the cooking time.

Step 4: Glaze and Finish

1. Make the Glaze: While the pork is roasting, mix the honey and water in a small bowl to create a glaze.

2. Baste and Caramelise: After the initial cooking time, baste the pork with the reserved marinade. Brush the glaze over the pork for that beautiful shiny finish. Return the pork to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, until beautifully caramelised and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach at least 70°C.

Step 5: Serve

1. Rest and Slice: Once cooked, remove the pork from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes. When ready, slice the pork thinly and serve it with steamed rice, noodles, or in fluffy bao buns. Drizzle any remaining glaze over the top for added flavour.

Final Thoughts

With its deep flavours and stunning appearance, this Cha Siu Pork recipe will surpass anything you could pick up from your local takeaway. The combination of marinating and roasting is what gives this dish its authentic taste and satisfying texture. Not only is it perfect for a family dinner, but it also makes for an impressive dish to serve to guests.

Give this recipe a try, and you might find that takeout is a thing of the past! Enjoy your homemade Cha Siu Pork, and watch as it becomes a beloved staple in your cooking repertoire. Happy cooking!

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