Hong shao, or red-cooking, is a popular way to prepare meats in the Shanghai region of eastern China. Simmering in dark soy sauce gives the meat a reddish color and the dish its name. Red-cooked dishes often include a mix of meat and vegetables and are similar to a western stew.
The sauce produced during hong shao cooking is sometimes reserved and used again and again, improving in flavor with each use. Families and restaurants often claim sauces that reach back for generations.
Hong Shao Rou
Course: MeatsCuisine: ChinaHong shao, or red-cooking, is a popular way to prepare meats in the Shanghai region of China. Simmering in dark soy sauce gives the meat a reddish color and the dish its name.
Ingredients
Pork butt, cubed — 1 1/2 pounds
Gingerroot, thinly sliced — a 1/2-inch piece
Whole star anise (optional) — 2
Sugar — 2 teaspoons
Salt and pepper — to taste
Stock or water — 1 cup
Dark soy sauce — 1/4 cup
Rice wine or sherry (optional) — 1-2 tablespoons
Directions
- Add all the ingredients to a large pot or wok and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, or until the meat is very tender.
- Adjust seasoning and serve with rice.
Hong Shao Rou (Red-Cooked Pork) Notes and Variations
- Meat: The meat can first be blanched in boiling water or seared until browned if you like. Try red-cooking a whole, bone-in pork butt. Pork belly is a particular favorite for red-cooking. Or substitute cubed beef, a whole chicken, chicken thighs or wings. Turn whole pieces of meat periodically for even cooking and coloring. The meat is sometimes cooled in the sauce and then served cold.
- Vegetables: Add 2 cups of chopped vegetables about 3/4 of the way through the cooking process if you like and continue to simmer until they are cooked through. Possible vegetables: chopped carrots, turnips, daikon, potatoes, onions or scallions.
- Sauce: Use rock sugar instead of granulated sugar if you can find it. Some cooks use a combination of light and dark soy sauce. Substitute 2 teaspoons of 5-spice powder for the star anise for more complex seasoning.
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