Malaysian Chinese-style Pork Beans

Ingredients

In this Malaysian Chinese adaptation of frijoles puercos, we incorporate Malaysian Chinese flavors and ingredients to create a unique fusion dish. The original Mexican dish is typically made with pinto beans, pork, and spices like cumin and chili powder. In this version, we use black beans instead of pinto beans and add Malaysian Chinese spices such as star anise, ginger, and soy sauce. The addition of vegetables like bok choy and mushrooms further enhances the flavors and adds a touch of freshness to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Frijoles puercos, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, diced 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, diced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized ginger, grated
• 2 star anise 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 2 cups (400g) cooked black beans 2 cups (400g) cooked black beans
• 2 cups (470ml) chicken broth 2 cups (470ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup bok choy, chopped 1 cup bok choy, chopped
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 8g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced pork and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the pork from the pot and set aside.
2. 2.
   In the same pot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until fragrant and the onion is translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the star anise and cinnamon stick to the pot and cook for a minute to release their flavors.
4. 4.
   Return the pork to the pot and add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and dark soy sauce. Stir well to coat the pork with the sauces.
5. 5.
   Add the cooked black beans and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour, or until the pork is tender.
6. 6.
   Add the chopped bok choy and sliced mushrooms to the pot. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
7. 7.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the star anise and cinnamon stick.
8. 8.
   Serve the Malaysian Chinese-style Pork Beans hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pork shoulder — Choose a well-marbled cut of pork shoulder for tender and flavorful results.
• Star anise — Use whole star anise for the best flavor. Remove it before serving as it can be quite strong if eaten directly.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier version, add a chopped chili pepper or chili flakes.
• Serve the dish with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.
• Make a larger batch and freeze the leftovers for future meals.
• Experiment with different vegetables like bell peppers or snow peas for added variety.

Serving advice

Serve the Malaysian Chinese-style Pork Beans hot as a main dish. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness and aroma. Accompany it with steamed rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Present the Malaysian Chinese-style Pork Beans in a deep bowl, allowing the vibrant colors of the dish to shine through. Garnish with a sprig of fresh cilantro for an appealing touch. Serve with a side of steamed rice or noodles for a complete and visually pleasing presentation.