RECIPE: Pork Pares

For a long time I have been asked by hubby to cook Pares.  Normally, Pares is made of beef and I'm not a big fan of beef.  So I set this idea in one corner for a long time.  Just recently,  I saw the star anise in our cupboard and remember his request.  So finally I bit the bullet and cook it for the first time..only that I use pork where I am more comfortable to cook with.  

Ingredients:

500g pork shoulder

water to boil (enough to cover the pork with water)

salt to taste

2-3 tbsp cooking oil

1 clove crushed garlic

1 medium sized onion (sliced)

few drops seasoning or soy sauce

1 star anise

1 pork cubes (optional)

3 tbsp sugar

ground pepper to taste

salt to taste

Step 1: Bring the water to boil.  When the water start to boil, put the uncut pork and put a little salt. Let it simmer for 1 hour or until the meat is tender.  When the meat is done, remove it from the water and let it cool. When it's cold, cut the pork into small chunks and set it aside.  Do not throw the pork stock

Step 2: Heat a separate pan, put the cooking oil.  Saute garlic, onion then the pork chunks and simmer it for a 1-2 minutes.

Step 3: Add in your preferred amount of pork stock(water from boiling the pork). Put star anise, pork cube, pepper and seasoning for coloring. Once it's starting to boil, add-in the sugar and stir.  Let it simmer for 3-5 minutes. 

Step 4: Taste and see if you need to adjust according to your preference. Then that's it!

You can cook garlic rice to pair it with the Pork Pares.  But because I don't have that much time to cook on a weekday, steamed rice is just as perfect.  Enjoy!