Coca-Cola-Braised Pork Belly

Malaysian-born blogger Grace Choo loves to eat, but she doesn’t always want to spend a whole day prepping in the kitchen. Instead she focuses on easily executed dishes, many of which she features on her blog, Piggy’s Cooking Journal. This recipe for pork belly braised in Coca-Cola is deliciously salty-sweet and can even be made a day ahead of time.

1 daikon, peeled and cut into ½-inch thick slices
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
8 ¼-inch slices peeled fresh ginger
2 green onions, roots trimmed and cut into long strips, plus more for garnish
5 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 lb. pork belly, skin removed,  cut into 3/4-inch-thick slices
¼ cup light soy sauce
½ cup dark soy sauce
Pepper, to taste
3 Tbsp. rice wine
1 ½ cups Coca-Cola
4 ¼ cups water
1 carrot, peeled and cut into ½-inch thick slices

Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the daikon, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Heat a wok over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. When the oil is heated, add ginger, spring onion and garlic cloves. Sauté until aromatic. Add the sliced pork belly and continue sautéing for four minutes. Add the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, pepper and rice wine. Transfer the ingredients to a clay pot (a medium soup pot may also be used) and add the Coca-Cola and water. Cover and bring just to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add carrot slices and reserved daikon and simmer for additional 30 minutes. Remove pot from heat and let sit, covered, for 15 minutes. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped spring onions.

Makes 2 servings.

Grace Choo, piggyscookingjournal.com