How to Make Pork Collar Chinese Recipe at Home

If you enjoy Chinese food, chances are you're familiar with pork collar. This meat cut is renowned for its tenderness and delicious taste, making it a favourite in many Chinese dishes. A common method of cooking pork collar is to marinate it in a Chinese-style marinade and cook it using traditional Chinese techniques. The result is succulent, flavourful meat that is ideal for any meal.

Choosing the right cut of pork collar is crucial to the success of your recipe. Look for a well-marbled piece of pork with a good amount of fat, as this will help keep the meat moist during cooking. Once you've selected your meat, it's time to start preparing your marinade. A typical Chinese-style marinade might include soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger, among other ingredients. Be sure to marinate your pork for at least a few hours, or even overnight, to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat.

When it comes to cooking your pork collar, there are several techniques you can try. Some people prefer to grill or roast the meat, while others like to braise it in a rich, flavourful sauce. No matter which method you choose, be sure to keep a close eye on the meat to prevent it from overcooking. Once your pork collar is ready, you can serve it with a variety of sides and garnishes, such as steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or even seafood.

Key Takeaways

• Choosing the right cut of pork collar is essential for a successful recipe.
• Marinating your pork for several hours or overnight will help infuse it with flavour.
• There are many different ways to cook pork collar, including grilling, roasting, and braising, and it can be served with a variety of sides and garnishes.

Choosing the Right Cut

When it comes to cooking pork, choosing the right cut is crucial. Pork collar is an excellent choice for Chinese recipes due to its tenderness and marbling. However, it's essential to understand the difference between pork collar and other cuts to make an informed decision.

Pork Collar Vs. Other Cuts

Pork collar is a fatty cut of meat that comes from the neck of the pig. It's a tender and juicy cut that's perfect for grilling, roasting, and stir-frying. Pork belly is another fatty cut that's popular in Chinese cuisine. It's a versatile cut that can be used in various dishes, including braised pork belly and crispy pork belly.

Pork shoulder, also known as pork butt, is a leaner cut of meat that's ideal for slow cooking. It's perfect for making pulled pork or stews. Pork loin and pork tenderloin are lean cuts that are great for grilling and roasting. They're both tender and juicy, but they can be dry if overcooked.

Pork neck and pork scotch are other cuts that are similar to pork collar. They're both tender and flavourful, but they're not as commonly used in Chinese cooking.

When choosing a cut of pork, it's important to consider the recipe you're making. Fatty cuts like pork collar and pork belly are perfect for stir-fries and roasted dishes, while leaner cuts like pork loin and pork tenderloin are better suited for grilling. If you're looking for an alternative to pork, seafood can be a great option. For example, you can use prawns or squid in a stir-fry or add some scallops to a roasted dish.

Marinating the Meat

Marinating is an essential step in making a flavourful Chinese pork collar dish. A good marinade will tenderize the meat and infuse it with a balance of savoury and sweet flavours.

Creating the Perfect Marinade

To create a perfect marinade for your pork collar, you will need a few key ingredients. Soy sauce, garlic, hoisin sauce, and brown sugar are the main components of a traditional char siu marinade. Honey, sesame oil, white pepper, five spice powder, oyster sauce, and shaoxing rice wine are also commonly used to add depth and complexity to the flavour.

For a seafood twist, you can also add some shrimp paste or fish sauce to the marinade. This will give the dish a slightly different flavour profile and add some umami notes that pair well with pork.

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl or a ziplock bag, and let the meat marinate for at least 24 hours in the fridge. The longer you marinate the meat, the more flavourful it will become.

Marinating Time

The marinating time is crucial to the success of your pork collar dish. You want to give the meat enough time to absorb the flavours of the marinade, but you don't want to overdo it and end up with mushy meat.

For pork collar, marinate the meat for at least 24 hours in the fridge. If you're short on time, you can marinate it for as little as 3 hours, but the flavour won't be as intense.

When you're ready to cook the meat, remove it from the marinade and let it come to room temperature before cooking. This will ensure that the meat cooks evenly and stays tender.

By following these tips, you'll be able to create a delicious and flavourful Chinese pork collar dish that will impress your family and friends.

Cooking Techniques

Roasting the Pork

Roasting is a popular cooking technique for pork collar. Preheat your oven to 200°C and place the pork collar on a wire baking rack. Roast the pork collar for 25-30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 63°C. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the pork collar is cooked through.

Achieving Perfect Caramelisation

Caramelisation is a key aspect of any pork collar recipe. To achieve perfect caramelisation, coat the pork collar in a sweet BBQ sauce such as char siu sauce. This will give the pork collar a beautiful, sticky glaze. Roast the pork collar in the oven until it is tender and juicy, and the sauce has caramelised.

If you want to try something different, you can also use seafood in this recipe. Prawns or scallops would work well with the sweet BBQ sauce. Simply coat the seafood in the sauce and roast in the oven until cooked through.

Remember to keep an eye on the pork collar as it cooks to ensure that it doesn't dry out. With these tips, you can create a delicious and tender pork collar dish that is sure to impress your guests.

Serving Suggestions

Accompaniments

Pork collar pairs well with a variety of accompaniments. If you're looking for a simple and classic option, steamed white rice is always a great choice. Alternatively, you could try serving your pork collar with some pork fried rice or noodles for a more filling meal.

For a more elevated experience, you could consider serving your pork collar with some delicious pork buns or dumplings. These are great for soaking up the flavourful sauce and adding some texture to your meal.

If you're looking to add some freshness to your dish, you could try incorporating some spring onions or shallots. These can be used as a garnish or added to your dish for some extra flavour.

Presentation Tips

When it comes to presenting your pork collar, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure to slice your pork collar thinly and arrange it neatly on your plate. This will not only look more appetising but also make it easier to eat.

You could also consider adding some vegetables to your dish for some extra colour and nutrition. For example, you could try adding some steamed greens or stir-fried vegetables to your plate.

Finally, if you're feeling adventurous, you could try incorporating some seafood into your dish. Some great options include prawns, squid or scallops. These can be added to your dish during the cooking process or served on the side for a more surf and turf style meal.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Storage and Reheating

Once you have made your Chinese BBQ Pork Collar, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To store it, wrap it tightly in cling film or place it in an airtight container. When reheating, it is best to use a microwave or an oven. If you are using an oven, preheat it to 180°C (350°F) and bake the pork for 10-15 minutes until it is heated through.

Recipe Video and Variations

If you are new to cooking Chinese BBQ Pork Collar, it can be helpful to watch a recipe video to see the process in action. You can find many recipe videos online that will guide you through the steps. Additionally, you can try variations of the recipe by adding different spices and ingredients. For example, you could add seafood such as prawns or squid to the recipe to give it a unique twist.

When making Chinese BBQ Pork Collar, it is important to use the right ingredients. Some of the key ingredients include red food coloring, red bean curd, maltose, ginger, star anise, Chinese five spice powder, cooking wine, rice vinegar, shaoxing wine, and cinnamon. These ingredients are essential to achieving the authentic Cantonese dish flavour.

Overall, Chinese BBQ Pork Collar is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. By following the recipe and using the right ingredients, you can create a meal that will impress your family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make pork collar tender for a stir fry?

To make pork collar tender for a stir fry, it is recommended to marinate the pork overnight in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, cornstarch, and sugar. This will help to break down the protein and tenderize the meat. Another tip is to slice the pork thinly against the grain, which will also help to make it more tender.

What's the secret to that red colour in Chinese pork dishes?

The red colour in Chinese pork dishes, such as char siu, comes from the use of red fermented bean curd or red food colouring. If you prefer not to use food colouring, you can achieve a similar colour by using paprika or beetroot juice.

Can you recommend a good cut of pork for Chinese stir-fry recipes?

Pork collar, also known as pork neck or pork neck collar, is an excellent cut of pork for Chinese stir-fry recipes. It is tender and has a good amount of fat, which adds flavour to the dish. Other good cuts of pork for stir-fry include pork loin and pork belly.

What are some simple steps to cook pork collar in a slow cooker with Chinese flavours?

To cook pork collar in a slow cooker with Chinese flavours, start by marinating the pork in a mixture of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Place the pork in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the pork is tender. Serve with steamed rice and vegetables.

Is pork collar suitable for making traditional Chinese pork dishes?

Yes, pork collar is suitable for making traditional Chinese pork dishes, such as char siu and stir-fry. It is a versatile cut of pork that can be cooked in a variety of ways.

How do I slice pork collar for a Chinese stir-fry?

To slice pork collar for a Chinese stir-fry, first remove any excess fat and slice the pork thinly against the grain. This will help to make the pork more tender. If you prefer, you can also cut the pork into bite-sized pieces.

If you want to add seafood to your pork collar Chinese recipe, you can try adding shrimp or squid. For example, you can stir-fry the shrimp or squid separately and then add them to the pork collar stir-fry towards the end of cooking. Alternatively, you can marinate the seafood in the same marinade as the pork and cook them together in the same pan.