A friend recently asked me what do I usually cook for dinner. It depends was my reply. While I mostly prefer easy and quick to prepare dinners, I am sometimes in the mood for something elaborate. Of course, how much craving I have also plays a part.
This honey glazed pork belly is the result of one of my in-the-mood days. It takes time to prepare but the result is so rewarding. Just see how good it looks! Don’t tell me you are not salivating. While pork belly is not a diet-friendly dish, I believe in indulgence once in a while. Everything in moderation, right? 
Here’s the recipe for honey glazed pork belly. Not for the diet-conscious! Enjoy!
HONEY GLAZED PORK BELLY
Ingredients:
- 450 gram pork belly
- 2 cloves garlic, lightly flattened with cleaver
- 1 medium onion, cut into quarters
- 2-inch ginger, sliced
- 1 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 tablespoon huadiao wine 花雕酒
- ½ teaspoon salt
Ingredients for Honey Glaze:
- 4 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon chinese 5-spice powder
Method:
- Mix all the ingredients for the honey glaze together and set aside.
- Place pork belly and all other ingredients in a pot and fill pot with water (enough to cover all ingredients). Bring to boil, then lower heat to simmer for 1-2 hours or until the pork is tender. Remove pork belly and dry it with kitchen paper. Discard the rest of the ingredients.
- Heat up a pan and brown pork belly on both sides, starting with skin side down.
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC.
- Place pork belly on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spread half of the honey glaze over the pork and bake in the pre-heated oven for 25 minutes, or until glossy. Turn regularly and continue to apply remaining honey glaze on the pork.
- Remove pork belly from oven, slice and serve with plain rice. Great on its own too!
