Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanese Stewed Pork with Hard-Boiled Eggs)

Ingredients

• 4 shallots (or substitute 1 medium yellow onion)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1.25 lb pork (belly or shoulder)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce (for color)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 star anise
• 1/2 tsp Chinese 5 spice powder
• 1-2 inches of cinnamon stick
• 1.5-2 tbsp ginger (sliced)
• 4 shiitake mushrooms (optional)
• 4 hard-boiled eggs
• 1 stalk scallion (finely chopped)

Instructions

1. 1

   Cut pork into small cubes. Chop shallots and mince garlic.

2. 2

   Saute pork until brown. Remove meat (leave fat in pan) and saute the shallot and garlic on medium-high heat until lightly browned. Remove from pan, then saute mushrooms.

3. 3

   Add everything back into the pan, including the soy sauce, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, water and spices (star anise, 5 spice, cinnamon, and ginger). Simmer for about 30-60 minutes or until tender. Add the eggs during the last 10-15 minutes.

4. 4

   Garnish with chopped scallion