Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Thit Ko Instant Pot Version Food

INSTANT POT CARAMELIZED PORK AND EGGS / THIT KHO TRUNG

Steps:

• Transfer the eggs into the inner pot placing them on top of an egg rack or steamer basket. Add 2 cups hot water (1 cup if using the 6 or 3 quart Instant Pot).
• Cover with the pressure cooker lid and set the steam release handle to "Sealing".
• Press the "Manual" button and set the cook time for 5 minutes on High Pressure. When the cook time is completed, allow for a 5 minute natural pressure release. Release the remaining pressure.
• Transfer the eggs into a bowl of ice water. Let rest for 5 minutes.
• Peel the eggs and set aside for now.
• Fill the inner pot halfway with hot water. Place into the Instant Pot and cover with a glass lid. Press the "Sauté" button to start heating the water.
• Sprinkle salt and vinegar all over the pork. Gently rub the solution onto the meat. Wash the pork well under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Trim off an excess fat. Cut the pork sirloin and pork belly into chunks, approximately 2 inch cubes.
• Once the water comes to a boil, add the pork pieces and gently stir together. Cover with a glass lid and let the water come to a boil again.
• Transfer the pork into a large colander. Rinse the meat under cold running water, washing away any loose bits of meat and residue. Drain well and transfer into a large bowl.
• Drizzle fish sauce on the pork. Allow to marinate while continuing with the next steps.
• Wash the inner pot with soap and water and dry well. Put the inner pot back into the Instant Pot.
• Press the "Sauté" button to heat the inner pot. Sprinkle sugar into the inner pot coating it evenly.
• Cook the sugar until it caramelizes and becomes a honey color, approximately 10-15 minutes. Let the sugar cook while continuing with the next step.
• Peel and smash the garlic cloves. Cut the brown onion into thick wedges.
• Add the pork and quickly combine together, coating it in the caramel sauce. Press the "Keep Warm/Cancel" button to stop the "Sauté" mode.
• Add the hard-boiled eggs along with the coconut water and 2 cups hot water. Rearrange everything making sure the eggs are covered with liquid. Add more hot water if needed.
• Add the onions, garlic and black peppercorns. Add any remaining fish sauce from the marinade.
• Cover with the pressure cooker lid and set the steam release handle to "Sealing". Press the "Manual" button and set the cook time for 30 minutes on High Pressure. When the cook time is completed, allow for a 15 minute natural pressure release. Release the remaining pressure.
• Serve the Caramelized Pork and Eggs with Pickled Bean Sprouts (Dua Gia) or Pickled Mustard Greens (Dua Cai Chua) and hot white rice.
• Store any remaining portions in the refrigerator and enjoy within the week.

PRESSURE COOKER VIETNAMESE CARAMEL PORK AND EGGS

Steps:

• Make a caramel sauce: In a small saucepan, stir together the sugar, vinegar and 1 tablespoon water over medium heat until the sugar nearly dissolves, 60 to 90 seconds. Cook without stirring until champagne yellow, about 3 minutes, then continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes, frequently picking up the pan and swirling it to control the caramelization. When the mixture is a dark tea color (expect faint smoking), turn off the heat and keep the pan on the burner. Let the caramelization continue until the mixture is burgundy in color, 1 to 2 minutes. Slide the pan to a cool burner and add 3 tablespoons water, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Warm over medium heat to loosen, if needed.
• Cut the pork into chunks about 1-inch thick and 2 to 3 inches long, making sure each piece has both lean meat and fat. Warm the oil in a 6-quart multicooker on the highest heat setting, such as "Saute." Working in 2 or 3 batches, cook the pork on all sides until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side, holding the seared meat on a plate. When done, return all the pork and any accumulated juices to the pot, then add the caramel sauce, fish sauce, onion, garlic, peppercorns and coconut water. Lock the lid, then set to high pressure for 12 minutes.
• Naturally depressurize for 10 minutes before releasing pressure. Use tongs to retrieve the pork and hold in a bowl, loosely covered to prevent drying. If peppercorns cling to the pork, leave them for zing, or knock them off and discard. To quickly filter and remove fat from the cooking liquid, set a mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl, line with a double layer of paper towels and pour the liquid through. After most of the liquid passes through and a layer of fat remains above the solids, set the strainer aside. (Save the fat for cooking if you like.)
• Return the liquid to the pot, bring to a boil on the highest heat setting (Saute) and cook until reduced to 1 cup, 15 to 18 minutes. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer, then add the pork and eggs. Cook, gently stirring now and then, to heat through and coat with the dark sauce, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rest 5 minutes, uncovered, to concentrate flavors. Taste and add up to 1 1/2 teaspoons of fish sauce or 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, or both, as needed for a pleasant savory-sweet finish. Transfer to a shallow bowl for serving. Invite diners to halve the eggs themselves. If you'd like spicy heat, gently smash the chiles in individual dishes for dipping sauce with some sauce from the pot, and use it to dip the pork and egg or to drizzle into the bowls.

MICHAEL BAO HUYNH'S VIETNAMESE CARAMELIZED PORK

Steps:

• Cover bottom of a large, heavy skillet with one cup sugar and place over medium low heat. As soon as it melts and turns golden, add pork, raise heat to medium, and stir until coated. (Sugar will become sticky and may harden, but it will re-melt as it cooks, forming a sauce.)
• Stir in remaining sugar, salt, pepper and fish sauce. Cover and cook 2 minutes. Uncover, stir in garlic and oil and lower to simmer to reduce sauce for about 20 minutes.
• Stir in Vidalia onions and cook until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Pork should be caramelized; if not, raise heat and sauté while sauce further reduces. Transfer to serving bowl, and sprinkle with scallion greens.

VIETNAMESE CARAMELIZED SALTY PORK ( THIT KHO)

Steps:

• Wash and cut pork belly into 3/4 inch (cubed)pieces.
• In a dry saucepan, melt sugar on high heat until it becomes golden brown but not candied.
• Immediately, add pork belly pieces, onions, pepper, and garlic. Stir to get a golden color on the meat.
• Add fish sauce and water, deglaze, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce to low heat, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes (stirring occasionally) until sauce thickens a little. Add a little more fish sauce and black pepper to taste.
• Serve over white rice.
• Note: Some vietnamese add whole hard boiled eggs (better if you fry the hard boiled eggs in a little oil until golden brown skin) along with the liquids. Adding shrimp is also delicious.

CARAMELIZED PORK BELLY (THIT KHO)

Steps:

• Slice pork belly into 1-inch pieces layered with skin, fat, and meat.
• Heat sugar in a large wok or pot over medium heat until it melts and caramelizes into a light brown syrup, about 5 minutes. Add pork and increase heat to high. Cook and stir to render some of the pork fat, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir shallots and garlic into the wok. Add fish sauce and black pepper; stir to evenly coat pork. Pour in coconut water and bring to a boil. Add eggs, reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, until pork is tender, about 1 hour.
• Remove wok from the heat and let stand, about 10 minutes. Skim the fat from the surface of the dish.

VIETNAMESE CARAMELIZED PORK (THIT KO) - INSTANT POT VERSION

Steps:

• Place eggs into the instant pot on a wire rack. Pour in 1 cup of water and set on high pressure for 5 minutes. Do a quick release and put the eggs in an ice bath. Peel and set aside.
• Combine the pork with garlic, shallot, salt, black pepper, msg, soy sauce in a large bowl. Let this marinate while you make the caramel sauce. You can also do this step ahead of time and just let it sit overnight in the fridge.
• Set the pot to Saute mode on high. Add in the marinated pork and saute for 5-7 minutes until the garlic and shallots are soft and the pork has some color. Deglaze with 1 cup of water making sure to scrape up all the bits. Turn off the pot.
• Time to make the caramel sauce! In a separate small frying pan, caramelize the sugar until it reaches a dark golden brown. Careful not to burn it. Watch it carefully! Slowly pour in ¼ cup of water and stir to make a sauce. Add to the instant pot. (You can also caramelize the sugar while your meat browns.).
• Add the hard boiled eggs, coconut soda, star anise pods and (if needed) just enough water to cover the pork. It should not take more than 2 cups. Cook it on high pressure for 30 minutes and NPR for 15 minutes.*.
• Add the fish sauce and salt to taste (if needed). Serve with rice and pickled vegetables!
• *OPTIONAL - Once you remove the lid, set it to Saute mode on high for 15 minutes to reduce the liquid by 1/3. You don't have to worry too much with the instant pot overboiling or over reducing because it will maintain the heat level and switch to "keep warm" when the timer shuts off.

THIT HEO KHO TRUNG (PORK AND EGGS IN CARAMEL SAUCE)

Steps:

• Make the caramel sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together the 1/4 cup sugar, vinegar and 1 tablespoon water until the sugar nearly dissolves, 60 to 90 seconds. Cook without stirring until the mixture turns champagne yellow, about 3 minutes, then continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes, frequently picking up the pan and swirling it to control the caramelization. When the mixture is a dark tea color (expect faint smoking), turn off the heat and keep the pan on the burner. Let the caramelization continue until the mixture is burgundy in color, 1 to 2 minutes. Slide the pan to a cool burner and add 3 tablespoons water, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Warm over medium heat to loosen, if needed.
• Cut the pork into chunks about 1-inch thick and 2 to 3 inches long, making sure each piece has both lean meat and fat. Warm the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in 2 or 3 batches, cook the pork on all sides until lightly browned, about 1 minute per batch, holding the seared meat on a plate. When done, return all the pork and any accumulated juices to the pot, then add the caramel sauce, fish sauce, onion, garlic, peppercorns and coconut water. Bring to a boil over high heat, skim the scum, then adjust the heat to maintain a simmer. Cover and cook until a knife tip inserted 1/4 inch into the pork meets little resistance, about 1 1/4 hours.
• Use tongs to retrieve the pork and hold in a bowl, loosely covered to prevent drying. If peppercorns cling to the pork, leave them for zing, or knock them off and discard. To quickly filter and remove fat from the cooking liquid, set a mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl, line with a double layer of paper towels and pour the liquid through. After most of the liquid passes through and a layer of fat remains above the solids, set the strainer aside. (Save the fat for cooking if you like.) You should have about 1 1/2 cups cooking liquid.
• Return the liquid to the pot, bring to a boil over high heat and cook until reduced to 1 cup, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer, then add the pork and eggs. Cook, gently stirring now and then, to heat through and coat with the dark sauce, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rest 5 minutes, uncovered, to concentrate flavors. Taste and add up to 1 1/2 teaspoons of fish sauce or 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, or both, as needed for a pleasant savory-sweet finish. Transfer to a shallow bowl for serving. Invite diners to halve the eggs themselves. If you'd like spicy heat, gently smash the chiles in individual dishes for dipping sauce with some sauce from the pot, and use it to dip the pork and egg or to drizzle into the bowls.

CARAMELIZED PORK BELLY- THIT KHO TAU

Steps:

• Bring 2-3 quarts of water boiling on high, enough to fully submerge the pork. Add about 1 teaspoon of salt and the pork to water for 2-3 minutes just to clean it. Drain then rinse the pork under running water until the water is clear.
• Heat sugar in a large wok or pot over medium heat, continuously stirring until it melts and caramelizes into a light brown syrup. Burns easily so keep a close eye and be careful to not let it get candied.
• As soon as sugar reaches the nice amber color, immediately add pork and increase heat to high. Cook and stir to render some of the pork fat, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add fish sauce, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper; stir to evenly coat pork and allow it to get the color on the meat.
• Stir shallots and garlic into the wok.
• Pour in coconut water and bring to a boil. Liquid should just cover the pork.
• Reduce heat to low, and simmer, covered, until pork is tender, about 1 hour. Slowly stir and check about every 20 minutes while the pork is simmering to make sure that the liquid doesn't evaporate too much. Add water a little at a time if sauce seems to be drying out.
• Remove cover, add hard-boiled eggs. Continue simmering for about 30-40 minutes with the lid off to allow the liquid to reduce into a nice concentrated sauce, stirring occasionally to prevent meat from drying.
• Remove from the heat and let stand, about 10 minutes. Skim the fat from the surface of the dish.
• Top with green onions for garnish.

THIT KHO TO -- PORK IN CLAY POT

Steps:

• Make the caramel by heating the sugar in a small, heavy-based pan over a low heat.
• Stir constantly until it is moist and thick.
• Take off the heat and add the fish sauce.
• Return to a low heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.
• Add the shallots and pepper to the caramel and leave to cool.
• Pour the sauce into a claypot or flameproof casserole.
• Add the pork to the sauce.
• Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes over a low heat, stirring occasionally.
• At the end of cooking, the pork should be in a little rich gravy.
• Serve with the egg if using, spooning the gravy over them.