Keith_
Tasty Apprentice
Savor the tender and flavorful Buta no Kakuni, a classic Japanese dish of braised pork belly that melts in your mouth!
**Ingredients**:
- 1 lb pork belly, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sake
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 3-4 slices ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
**Instructions**:
1. **Sear the Pork Belly**:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the pork belly pieces and sear until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2. **Deglaze the Pot**:
- Add the sake to the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
3. **Simmer the Pork**:
- Return the pork belly to the pot. Add soy sauce, mirin, sugar, water, ginger slices, garlic, and green onions.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the pork is very tender.
4. **Reduce the Sauce**:
- Remove the lid and continue to simmer for another 20-30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
5. **Serve**:
- Serve the Buta no Kakuni hot, with a side of steamed rice and blanched vegetables, and garnish with sliced green onions.

- 1 lb pork belly, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sake
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 3-4 slices ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces

1. **Sear the Pork Belly**:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the pork belly pieces and sear until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2. **Deglaze the Pot**:
- Add the sake to the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
3. **Simmer the Pork**:
- Return the pork belly to the pot. Add soy sauce, mirin, sugar, water, ginger slices, garlic, and green onions.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the pork is very tender.
4. **Reduce the Sauce**:
- Remove the lid and continue to simmer for another 20-30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
5. **Serve**:
- Serve the Buta no Kakuni hot, with a side of steamed rice and blanched vegetables, and garnish with sliced green onions.