Meats Recipes -  Red-Cooked Pork with Chestnuts Recipe

Ingredients

Serve 10

• 1.5-2 kg/3-4 lb belly pork

• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

• 125 ml/4 fl oz water

• 5 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 250 g/8 oz chestnuts

• 5 tablespoons dry sherry

• cooked shredded cabbage, to serve (optional)

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Method:

1. Cut the pork through the skin, lean and fat, into 4 cm/1 1/2 inch pieces. Combine the sugar, water and 4 1/2 tablespoons of the soy sauce.

2. Put the pork pieces in a flameproof casserole and pour over just enough boiling water to cover. Bring back to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes, then drain off all the water.

3. Pour in the soy sauce mixture. Stir the pork pieces in the sauce until well coated. Transfer to a preheated oven, 150°C (300°F), Gas Mark 2 and cook for 1 hour, stirring twice.

4. Meanwhile, cook the chestnuts in boiling water for 30 minutes. Drain, then remove the shells and skin.

5. Add the chestnuts to the pork, together with the sherry and the remaining soy sauce. Stir well and return to the oven for a further 1 hour.

6. Serve hot, on a bed of cooked shredded cabbage, if liked.