Wow! I was about to make some thit kho tonight when I realized I had lost my favorite recipe during these numerous last moves…argg thankfully iphone was here to be my tonight’s hero. Phewww! of course I could kind of remember how to do it…but it’s been a while…and as the best damn caramel pork I’ve ever had, (yes, even better than mom’s) I wanted to make it right and be ready for the Tết season to begin. I will be posting my mom’s recipe here soon though, it’s super extra magnificently good too, and much faster and easier to do so stay tuned!
Note: The coconut water used in this recipe is the clear liquid from the heart of the immature coconut. Do not confuse it with the white coconut milk (canned and frozen) that is extracted from the grated flesh of the mature coconut. You may purchase coconut water frozen; it is usually sold in clear, square or rectangular plastic bags — sometimes a few thin slices of coconut meat are included. Pork belly (where bacon comes from) is the desired and traditional cut for this dish because it has the perfect balance of lean meat to fat. However, you may substitute the leaner Boston butt.
Ingredients:
(Serves 6)
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 3 garlic cloves, slivered
- 2 shallots, slivered
- 2 tablespoons peeled, slivered fresh ginger
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds pork belly or side pork, or Boston butt, cut into 1/2 x 1-inch slices
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup fish sauce
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen coconut water (see head note)
- 4 hard-cooked eggs, quartered