Spicy & Sweet Braised Pork with Potatoes: A Guaranteed Rice Thief!
The Magical Braised Pork and Potatoes That Will Empty Your Rice Cooker
Tender potatoes and succulent pork simmered in a savory, slightly spicy, and sweet sauce. This dish is so delicious, you’ll find yourself reaching for bowl after bowl of rice! If you’re on a diet, this might be best enjoyed as a treat – it’s truly an irresistible recipe. Prepare to have your rice cooker emptied in no time!
Main Ingredients- 3 medium potatoes
- 250g pork shoulder (or similar cut)
- 1/2 onion
- 3 Korean chili peppers (or jalapeños for less heat)
- 1/2 stalk green onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp anchovy sauce (or fish sauce)
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or similar)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper paste (gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp anchovy sauce (or fish sauce)
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or similar)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp red pepper paste (gochujang)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables. Thinly slice the 1/2 onion. Cut the 1/2 green onion stalk diagonally. Slice the 3 Korean chili peppers diagonally as well. Wash the potatoes thoroughly and cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm cubes.
Step 2
Preheat a deep pan or pot over medium heat and add a small amount of cooking oil. Add the sliced onions and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant. Stir in 1 tablespoon of anchovy sauce and continue to stir-fry. Adding the anchovy sauce early enhances the savory depth. Next, add 1.5 tablespoons of sugar and stir-fry until the sugar dissolves.
Step 3
Once the sugar starts to melt, add the prepared pork shoulder. Sauté the pork until it is no longer pink on the surface.
Step 4
When the pork is fully cooked, add the remaining seasoning ingredients: 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons cooking wine, 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, and 1 tablespoon red pepper paste. Stir-fry over high heat for 1-2 minutes until the seasonings coat the pork and combine well. Sautéing the seasonings like this helps to remove any porky odor and boosts the flavor.
Step 5
Pour in 200ml of water (about 1 standard Korean cup). Once the water comes to a boil, add the cut potatoes. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the potatoes are halfway tender. You should be able to pierce them easily with a fork.
Step 6
When the potatoes are partially cooked, add the sliced chili peppers, green onion, and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer uncovered for about 5 more minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld. If the sauce is too watery for your preference, simmer a bit longer. Serve hot over steamed rice for a truly satisfying meal!
