Blanch the pork in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for about 5 minutes. Rinse the pork and, when it's cool enough to handle, cut the belly into 5cm lengths.

Put the pork pieces in a large saucepan or casserole dish and add the soy sauce, rice wine, star anise, garlic, spring onion, ginger, sugar, chilli flakes and enough stock or water to just cover the meat. Bring slowly to the boil over a low heat, cover and simmer very gently for about 2 hours, turning the meat occasionally.

Remove the meat with a slotted spoon and set aside. Skim any fat off the top of the sauce, then simmer the liquid over a high heat until it has thickened a little. Taste to check, and stop simmering if sauce becomes too strongly flavoured.

Return the pork pieces to the sauce and heat through. If you want to crisp the skin, place the pork pieces skin-side up under a hot grill until crisp and bubbling.

Serve the pork belly and sauce with noodles and extra sliced spring onions or steamed Chinese vegetables.

TIP

You can follow the recipe using chicken or duck. Just use leg pieces (with the thigh attached) and braise for about 45 minutes or until tender.

Recipe and image courtesy of Chinese-Style Red Pork Recipe Ideas - Healthy & Easy Recipes | House & Garden (houseandgarden.co.uk).