Island Congee with Coconut Milk Braised Pork Shoulder

Chef Mei Lin explores the fusion of Asian and American flavors in her Island Congee with Coconut Milk-braised Pork Shoulder dish.

INGREDIENTS
For congee
1 cup jasmine rice
½ cup small yellow onion, small dice
2 tablespoon ginger, minced 
10 cups chicken stock (low sodium) 
 
For pork shoulder
2 lbs. pork shoulder
1 yellow onion, quartered
6 cloves garlic, crushed 
1 jalapeño, sliced 
1 thumb size ginger, grated 
4 cans coconut milk
 
For Finadene sauce
1/8 cup coconut vinegar
1/8 cup lime juice
1/4 cup fish sauce
2 tablespoon scallions, chopped
2 tablespoon cilantro stems, chopped 
2 cloves garlic 
1 tablespoon ginger, minced 
1 tablespoon shallot, chopped 
1 teaspoon Thai bird chili, chopped (Serrano will also work) 
Small knob of Palm sugar (if unavailable, brown sugar is fine)
 
Optional garnishes 
Fried shallots/onions
Shaved scallion tops 
Picked cilantro leaves
 

Island Congee with Coconut Milk Braised Pork Shoulder by Chef Mei Lin | Carla Choy

INSTRUCTIONS
Congee
1. In a 6 quart sauce pot, toast the jasmine rice with onion & ginger with 1 tablespoon of Canola Oil. 
2. Add stock and cook until thick; at least 1 hour. 
3. Stir every 5-7 minutes to ensure the rice doesn't stick to the bottom.
 
Pork Shoulder
1. In a pressure cooker, add 2 tablespoons of oil, and sear the pork shoulder on all sides. 
2. Add the vegetables, caramelize, and add coconut milk. 
3. Pressure cook for 45 minutes under pressure.
 
Finadene 
1. Add palm sugar, garlic, ginger, shallot, Thai bird chili, scallions, pound with a mortar and pestle. 
2. Then mix with all remaining ingredients. 
 
For Service 
1. Fill large-mouth bowl halfway with Congee and place pieces of pork on top. 
2. Top with spoonfuls of the Finadene sauce to taste. Add your optional garnishes. Serve hot. 
 

All images by Carla Choy

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