Char Siu

Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Roast Pork)

Char Siu literally means "fork burn/roast." This dish is lucky number 28 on the “World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods” readers’ poll compiled by CNNGo in 2011. 

It highlights the sweet, salty, and super savory flavors that Chinese food is so famous for. Although I am a strong believer that pork should never be cooked beyond medium, this dish works best when the pork is cooked well done.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2-3 Lbs. Pork Tenderloins

Marinade:

1/4 C. Vegetarian Hoisin Sauce

1/4 C. Rice Wine Vinegar

1/4 C. Honey

1/4 C. Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce

1" Fresh Ginger Root, Chopped

3 Garlic Cloves, Chopped

1 Tbsp. Sriracha (Rooster Sauce)

1/2 Tbsp. Sesame Oil

1/2 Tbsp. Onion Powder

1 Tsp. Red Food Coloring

1 Tsp. Chinese 5 Spice

Directions:

Trim pork of excess fat and silver skin. Place pork in gallon sized zip lock bag. Combine all ingredients for marinade and mix well. Pour marinade over pork in the zip lock. Toss pork in bag to evenly coat with marinade. Place in fridge for at least 2 hours but can be left overnight.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with tin foil and place a wire rack on top. Remove pork from marinade and place directly on rack. Do not rinse marinade from pork. Roast pork  for 2 - 3 hours or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.

Vegetable Fried Rice

I love quality short cuts in the kitchen. I have been known to ask my local pizza place for dough as opposed to making it myself. In this case, I bought 2 pints of white rice from the local Chinese take out. $2 got me plenty of rice for this dish. This recipe works best with day old rice, but you can get by with letting your rice sit out for a couple hours in the kitchen in a single layer.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups rice, prepared

• 1 cup peas & carrots, frozen
• 1 white onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten

• 3 tablespoons sesame oil

• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 Tablespoons chopped scallions.

Instructions:

1. Prepare rice according to package instructions to yield 3 cups cooked rice.

2. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat.
3. Add onion, garlic, peas, and carrots. Stir fry until tender.
4. Add eggs into pan and scramble, mixing throughout vegetables.
5. Add rice and soy sauce to pan. Stir in soy sauce and allow to cook for about 3 minutes.
6. Add scallions and stir to combine. Remove from heat and serve immediately.