Coastal Fujian Daikon and Pork Belly Rice

1. Marinate Pork Belly

Combine the pork belly pieces with Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, minced ginger, dark soy sauce, five-spice powder, and white pepper in a bowl. Mix well to ensure the pork is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, but if you have the time, up to 2 hours will deepen the flavors.

2. Soak Mushrooms and Shrimp

While the pork is marinating, soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in 1.5 cups of hot water for about 2 hours until they are soft. Once softened, squeeze out the excess water, trim off the stems, and dice the mushrooms. Keep the soaking liquid as it will be used later. At the same time, rinse the dried shrimp under cold water and soak them in 0.5 cups of room-temperature water for an hour. After soaking, chop the shrimp finely and combine the soaking liquid with the mushroom liquid.

3. Heat Oil and Cook Pork Belly

Heat 1.5 tablespoons of neutral oil in a wok over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the star anise and minced ginger, stirring until fragrant. Add the marinated pork belly and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the pork turns opaque and slightly brown, which helps to lock in the flavor and start rendering the fat.

4. Add Garlic, Sausage, and Radish

To the wok, add the minced garlic, sliced Chinese cured pork sausage, diced Chinese preserved radish, and daikon radish cubes. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well-mixed and the daikon starts to soften.

5. Add Shrimp, Mushrooms, and Scallions

Add the chopped dried shrimp, diced shiitake mushrooms, and white parts of the scallions. Pour in 2 teaspoons of Shaoxing wine and 2 teaspoons of oyster sauce, then season with 0.25 teaspoons of white pepper powder. Stir to combine everything thoroughly.

6. Cook the Rice

Add the uncooked rice to the wok, stirring to coat the grains with the mixture. Pour in the reserved mushroom and shrimp soaking liquid, making sure it covers the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. If using a rice cooker, transfer the mixture to the cooker and follow the appliance instructions for cooking rice.

7. Adjust Seasoning and Garnish

Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and adjust the seasoning with fine sea salt if needed. Garnish with the finely chopped green parts of the scallions before serving. Enjoy your Coastal Fujian Daikon and Pork Belly Rice, a dish rich with layers of flavor and texture!