Cantonese Char Siu Recipe: Making Cantonese Char Siu at Home
If you’re a fan of Chinese cuisine, you’ve probably come across the tantalizing dish known as Char Siu. These succulent, glazed strips of barbecued pork are a treat for your taste buds. You might have enjoyed them at your local Chinese restaurant, but did you know you can easily make this Cantonese Char Siu at home? Let’s take a flavorful journey through the ingredients, preparation steps, and method to create this iconic dish.
Ingredients:
For the Marinade:
- Pork: You’ll want about 1.5 pounds (700 grams) of boneless pork shoulder or pork loin. These cuts are perfect for Char Siu because they have a good balance of meat and fat.
- Soy Sauce: 1/4 cup of dark soy sauce. This provides a rich color and deep flavor.
- Hoisin Sauce: 2 tablespoons. It adds a sweet and savory note to our marinade.
- Honey: 2 tablespoons. For sweetness and that glossy finish.
- Chinese Five-Spice Powder: 1 teaspoon. This blend of spices includes star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds. It’s the heart of Char Siu’s flavor.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Adds a nice kick.
- Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon. It contributes a hint of nuttiness.
- Red Food Coloring (optional): A few drops if you want that classic Char Siu red hue.
For the Glaze:
- Reserved Marinade: We’ll use some of the marinade as a glaze for that mouthwatering finish.
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s dive into the preparation steps.
Preparation Steps:
- Slice the Pork: Begin by slicing your pork into long, thin strips, about 1 inch wide. If you prefer, you can also use whole pieces of pork.
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, mix together the dark soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, Chinese five-spice powder, minced garlic, sesame oil, and a few drops of red food coloring (if desired). This flavorful concoction will be the key to our Char Siu’s taste.
- Marinate the Pork: Place the pork strips or pieces in a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring that each piece is coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful your Char Siu will be.
- Prepare for Cooking: When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If you have a wire rack, place it on top of a baking tray. This will allow the heat to circulate evenly around the pork, giving it that signature Char Siu char.
Cooking Method:
- Baking: Take the marinated pork out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then, arrange the pork on the wire rack or directly on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil. Make sure to leave some space between each piece. Brush a thin layer of the reserved marinade over the pork.
- Bake: Pop the tray into your preheated oven and bake for about 20-30 minutes, turning the pork and brushing with more marinade every 10 minutes. This basting process builds up the glaze and keeps the meat moist. The Char Siu is ready when it’s cooked through and has a nice char on the edges. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Broil (Optional): For an extra layer of smokiness and char, switch your oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
- Rest and Slice: Remove your freshly baked Char Siu from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat. Afterward, slice it into thin pieces, and you’re ready to enjoy!
Serve and Enjoy:
Cantonese Char Siu is incredibly versatile. You can serve it as a main dish alongside steamed rice, in a noodle bowl, or even as a filling for sandwiches and wraps. The sweet, savory, and slightly smoky flavors are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
In summary, making Char Siu at home is a rewarding and mouthwatering experience. With a few simple ingredients and some patience for marinating and cooking, you can create this iconic Cantonese dish right in your own kitchen. So why not embark on this delicious journey and treat yourself to some homemade Char Siu today? Your taste buds will thank you!