Caramelized Pork Belly & Shrimp

Ingredients

6 Tablespoons sugar
1-pound slab rindless pork belly, cut lengthwise into 1/3″ thick slices, then crosswise into 5″ lengths
1.5 cups water, divided
1 pound large, uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined with tails intact
2 green onions, thinly sliced into strips (optional)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
For the sauce (optional)
5 Tablespoons fish sauce
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 red Jalapeno chile, minced (with seeds)
1 large garlic clove, minced

Preparation

1
To make the optional sauce, just whisk all the ingredients together and let stand at room temperature for 30-120 minutes.
2
How to make the pork belly and shrimp:
3
Sprinkle sugar over bottom of heavy large skillet NOT nonstick—the Feral Cooks use cast iron.
4
Place the skillet over medium heat without stirring, until sugar melts, then caramelizes to medium golden color, about 7 min.
5
Arrange pork belly strips in caramel in single layer. Pour 1/2 cup water over. Cook until water evaporates, turning pork occasionally, 12-14 min.
6
Add 1/2 cup more water. Cook until water evaporates again, turning pork occasionally, 12-14 min.
7
Add 1/2 cup water one final time. Cook until pork is tender, deep brown, and crisp and water has evaporated again.
8
Remove skillet from heat and remove pork to a plate.
9
Cut each pork strip in half, crosswise. Sprinkle lightly w/salt and generously w/pepper.
10
Return skillet w/drippings to med-high heat. Add shrimp and sauté until golden, turning once, about 2 min.
11
Return pork to skillet. Toss pork and shrimp until shrimp are just opaque in center, about 1 min.
12
Mound on platter. Sprinkle with optional onions and cilantro.
13
Serve w/rice and sauce. If possible, use Jasmine rice, as it has such a nice flavor.
.

About

This flavorful Vietnamese dish is easy to make and does not need any spices, as the flavor comes from the caramelization process. It is improved with an easy-to-make sauce, but it's not necessary if you don't have the ingredients. Caramelized pork belly and shrimp is very easy to make and takes a little less than an hour. It's best served with rice. The Feral Cooks have yet to meet anyone who ate this and didn't ask for the recipe.

Other Names:

Tôm Ram Thịt

Yield:

4-6

Added:

Saturday, April 8, 2017 - 9:33am

Creator:

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