Pork Braised in Dark Soy Sauce

Ingredients

• •3 tablespoons coriander seeds, toasted and cooled
• •5 cups water
• •¾ cup chopped shallots
• •8 cloves garlic
• •¼ cup vegetable oil
• •1 stick cinnamon stick
• •3 tablespoons yellow soybean sauce
• •2 tablespoons sugar
• •½ teaspoon ground cloves
• •2½ lb boneless pork shoulder
• •1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• •1¼ lb sliced bamboo shoots
• •1 portion garnish
• •1 set equipment

Cooking Instructions

1. 1.

   Finely grind coriander seeds in grinder. Stir together ground coriander and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl.

   5 min

2. 2.

   Coarsely purée shallots and garlic in mini processor, scraping down side occasionally. Heat oil in a 6- to 7-quart wide heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook shallot purée with cinnamon stick, stirring occasionally and scraping up any brown bits, until pale golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Add coriander mixture, mashed soybean sauce, sugar, and cloves and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Increase heat to high, then add pork and cook, stirring occasionally, until pork is no longer pink on the outside, 2 to 3 minutes. Add soy sauce and remaining 5 cups water and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until meat is tender, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.

   105 min

3. 3.

   Meanwhile, blanch bamboo shoots in a large saucepan of boiling water 1 minute, then drain well in a colander. Stir bamboo shoots into braised pork and simmer, uncovered, until tender, about 15 minutes. (Liquid should be reduced to about 2 cups. If necessary, transfer pork and bamboo shoots with a slotted spoon to a bowl and boil liquid to reduce, then stir in pork and bamboo shoots.) Discard cinnamon stick and season with salt.

   20 min