Tips

The Secret to Making the Ultimate Braised Pork and Egg Dish

"Are you a fan of the classic Vietnamese dish, thịt kho trứng, but can never quite get it to taste as delicious as your favorite restaurant's version? With just a few simple tips and tricks for marinating and preparing the ingredients, you'll be able to create a mouth-watering, restaurant-worthy dish that will impress your family and friends. It's easier than you think to take your home cooking to the next level!"

Administrator

11 July, 2024

Choosing Your Ingredients

Meat: If you prefer fatty meat, opt for pork thigh, but pork belly will give a much richer flavor.

Eggs: After boiling and peeling the eggs, use toothpicks to prick holes evenly across the egg whites. This allows the seasoning to penetrate the eggs, making them more flavorful.

Spices and Seasoning

Instead of marinating the meat as usual, use a ratio of 1 tablespoon of seasoning per 1 kilogram of meat. Mix well and sun-dry for an hour. This step will give your meat a golden color without the need for food coloring or caramelizing sugar beforehand.

Then, continue to marinate the meat with the other spices as normal.

Braising the Meat

When the meat is nicely seared, pour in enough coconut water to cover the meat. The coconut water will add a subtle sweetness and tenderness to the meat without making it fall apart.

Finally, add a splash of rice wine and fish sauce, simmering until the sauce thickens and reduces. This step should be done towards the end to enhance the aroma and flavor of the dish.

Frequently asked questions

The secret to this dish is in the marinade for the pork. A mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch creates a tender and flavorful base for the braise. This, combined with a slow cook in a rich broth, results in melt-in-your-mouth pork belly slices.

For this particular dish, the pork belly should be braised slowly for around 40 minutes. This ensures the meat is tender and juicy, and allows the flavors of the broth to really infuse into the meat.

Use fresh, organic chicken eggs for this recipe. The eggs are boiled and then soaked in a unique mixture, so you want to start with the best quality eggs possible.

The recipe calls for both light and dark soy sauce. Light soy sauce is saltier and used to season the dish, while dark soy sauce is sweeter and adds a richer, slightly darker color to the braised pork.

Yes, this dish can be prepared ahead of time and reheated. In fact, the flavors develop even more overnight, so it’s a great make-ahead option for a dinner party or family meal.