Fantasy Pork

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.02

Title: FANTASY PORK
Categories: Meats, Oriental
Yield: 10 servings

5 lb Fresh ham
8 Scallions
3 tb Peanut oil
8 sl Fresh ginger
4 Garlic cloves
- peeled and crushed

----------------------BRAISING LIQUID----------------------
5 c Hot water
1 c Dark soy sauce
1 c Rice wine or dry sherry
3 tb Roasted Sichuan peppercorns
-(whole)
6 tb Rock or ordinary sugar
4 Star anise
2 Cinnamon sticks or bark
2 ts Five-spice powder
1 ts Salt

DRY THE HAM THOROUGHLY with paper towels. Cut the
scallions into 3-inch segments. Choose a heavy
casserole or pot, large enough to hold the ham
comfortably. Heat the pot and then add the oil,
ginger, garlic and scallions, and stir-fry in the pot
for 2 minutes. Push the aromatics to the side and
brown the ham on each side until it has some color, 10
to 15 minutes. Pour off the oil. Add all the braising
liquid ingredients to the pot and bring the mixture to
a boil. Turn the heat down to a simmer, cover tightly
and cook for about 4 1/2 hours, turning the ham from
time to time. When the ham is tender, remove it gently
with a large spatula. The meat should be literally
falling apart. Place it on a serving platter. Strain
the sauce, skim off any surface fat, and reduce the
liquid until it is slightly thick. Pour this over the
ham and serve.

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