Home Food & Receipts The Ultimate Guide to a Golden Dish: Transforming Meat with a Simple...

Food & Receipts

The Ultimate Guide to a Golden Dish: Transforming Meat with a Simple Technique

13 April, 2025

One of the simplest yet most effective methods is to use kaffir lime leaves, which impart a refreshing fragrance and add a special touch to the dish.

1. Ingredients

500g pork belly or pork leg
5-6 fresh kaffir lime leaves
2 tablespoons of good quality fish sauce
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 tablespoon of shallots, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of honey or sugar
1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of five-spice powder
1 tablespoon of cooking oil

Braising pork with these leaves results in a dish with a golden sheen and tender meat, all without the need for caramelizing sugar.

2. Preparation and Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Rinse the pork with diluted salt water to eliminate any unpleasant odors, then cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Clean the kaffir lime leaves and leave them whole or chop them finely, depending on your preference.

Step 2: Marinate the Pork

Place the pork in a large bowl and add the fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, shallots, honey or sugar, five-spice powder, and pepper.
Mix well to ensure the flavors permeate each piece of meat. Let the pork marinate for 20-30 minutes.

Step 3: Braise the Pork with Kaffir Lime Leaves

Heat oil in a pot and sauté the garlic and shallots until fragrant.
Add the marinated pork and stir-fry until the meat is slightly browned and well-coated with the spices.
Toss in the kaffir lime leaves and continue stirring for a few minutes. The leaves will release their aroma and lend a golden hue to the meat.
Pour in just enough water to cover the meat, cover the pot, and simmer over low heat for 30-40 minutes until the pork is tender.

Step 4: Final Touches

As the water in the pot reduces and thickens, adjust the seasoning to your taste.
Remove the kaffir lime leaves or leave them in if you prefer a stronger flavor when serving.

3. Tips for Success

Kaffir lime leaves not only impart a refreshing fragrance to the braised pork but also naturally give it a golden sheen, eliminating the need for artificial coloring.
Using honey instead of sugar during the marination process will result in sweeter and more tender meat.

4. Serving Suggestions

The braised pork with kaffir lime leaves has a subtle fragrance, a rich sweetness, and incredibly tender meat. When served with hot steamed rice, this dish becomes the star of the family dinner table. It is a simple yet captivating dish, perfect for a cozy weekend meal with your loved ones.