With the Moo hong recipe, we dive into the heart of the Thai version of the Blog.
Tasted at the restaurant Rakhang Thai Bistro & Bar, on the evening of my arrival in Ao Nang on October 4, 2024: pork belly stewed with Chinese spices, a traditional dish from southern Thailand and especially Phuket.
Moo hong is one of the Thai dishes influenced by Chinese cuisine.
Centuries ago, Chinese immigrants brought their cooking styles and ingredients to Thailand, blending them with Thai flavors to create Sino-Thai dishes like
pad see ew (rice noodles stir-fried in soy sauce) and lad na (rice noodles with chicken, beef, or tofu).
Coriander root, garlic, black peppercorns: this trio of herbs and spices is a typical choice in Thai cuisine for marinades, stews, and even soups.
The palm sugar has a caramel-like sweetness that complements the savory elements. Avoid using white and brown sugar to accurately replicate the flavors of this recipe.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4People
- Cooking methods: Slow cooking
- Cuisine: Thai
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs pork belly (cut into cubes)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 coriander roots (or stems)
- 3 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 3 cubes palm sugar
- 1 qt water
- to taste salt
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
Tools
- 1 Mortar and pestle
Steps
Use a mortar and pestle to pound the garlic, black peppercorns, and coriander root.
Heat a pot over medium-low heat. Add the crushed spices, star anise, and cinnamon stick.Sauté and then add the palm sugar and cook until it starts to caramelize.
Mix the dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and salt and add to the mixture.
Add the pork belly pieces and sear them until they are evenly browned on all sides.
Cover with water and simmer for about 3 hours, or until the pork belly becomes soft and tender.Serve hot with jasmine rice.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How to substitute coriander root?
Some cookbooks suggest using chopped coriander stems as a substitute.
