[Cook] [Slow Cooker] Asian Braised Pork

I saw this recipe for Slow Cooker Asian Braised Pork in Woman's Day Magazine. I had almost all the ingredients on hand. Only needed to go to the market for the pork. It was very easy to prepare. Pretty much just put everything in slow cooker and forget about it, then prepare the cucumber salad right before the pork is ready.  The pork turned out to be soooooooo tender and soft.  The sauce was a bit on the sweeter side.  I think I would add less brown sugar than the recipe called for the next time.


Slow Cooker Asian Braised Pork

Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours
Servings: 4

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 2-in. piece fresh ginger, half thinly sliced and half grated
2 1/2 lb boneless pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 2-in. pieces
1 cup long-grain white rice
1/4 cup rice vinegar
Kosher salt and pepper
1 seedless cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
1/4 sweet onion, thinly sliced




1. In a 5- to 6-qt slow cooker, combine the soy sauce, allspice, red pepper, ¼ cup of the brown sugar and the sliced ginger. Add the pork and toss to coat. Cover and cook until the meat is tender, on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours.



2. Thirty minutes before serving, cook the rice according to package directions. In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, the remaining Tbsp brown sugar, the grated ginger, and ¼ tsp each salt and pepper. Add the cucumber and onion and toss to combine.

3. Spoon the pork over the rice and serve with the cucumber salad.

 



As for the cucumber salad, Dr. P thought it had too much vinegar and too sour for his taste.  I tried it again the next day with my own version.  I used less vinegar, and added a lot of minced garlic and some chili oil.  Dr. P liked this version much much better.  He loved the garlic in the salad.

Prep Tip: Add extra Asian flair by substituting the allspice with Chinese Five Spice powder, typically a blend of star anise, cinnamon, cloves, Szechuan peppercorns and fennel seed. You’ll find it in the spice aisle of most supermarkets.

[ad#ad-unit]