Char Siu Roast Pork

1. Prepare the Marinade

In a medium bowl, combine the minced garlic, sugar, hoisin sauce, Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, fine sea salt, molasses, five-spice powder, toasted sesame oil, white pepper powder, and red food coloring if you're using it. Mix everything well until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Set aside 2 tablespoons of this marinade in a small container and refrigerate it for later.

2. Marinate the Pork

Take the pork shoulder or butt and ensure it still has plenty of fat on it—this is crucial for a juicy, flavorful char siu. Coat the pork pieces thoroughly with the marinade, making sure every nook and cranny is covered. Place the marinated pork in the refrigerator to let it soak up the flavors for at least 8 hours, but preferably overnight.

3. Preheat the Oven

When you're ready to cook, preheat your oven to 475°F, positioning a rack in the upper third of the oven. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place a metal rack on top of the pan.

4. Roast the Pork Initially

Arrange the marinated pork pieces on the metal rack, spacing them out so they roast evenly. Pour 1.5 cups of hot water into the bottom of the sheet pan; this will create steam and keep the pork moist during roasting. Roast the pork in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.

5. Continue Roasting at Lower Temperature

After 10 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F. Flip the pork pieces over, add more water to the pan if needed, and rotate the pan to ensure even cooking. Continue roasting for another 15 minutes per side, for a total of 30 minutes.

6. Prepare the Basting Sauce

While the pork is roasting, prepare the basting sauce. Take the reserved marinade from the refrigerator and mix it with the maltose (or your choice of syrup) and 1 tablespoon of hot water.

7. Baste and Finish Roasting

After the pork has roasted for 30 minutes, baste the pieces generously with the prepared sauce, flip them over, and baste the other side. Roast for an additional 10 minutes.

8. Check Temperature and Broil

Check the internal temperature of the pork; it should be 145°F. If you desire extra caramelization, you can broil the pork for 1-2 minutes, but keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.

9. Rest the Pork

Remove the pork from the oven and baste it with any remaining sauce. Tent it loosely with foil and let it rest for about 10 minutes.

10. Slice and Serve

Finally, slice the char siu pork into thin pieces and serve. Enjoy the rich, savory-sweet flavors of this Cantonese classic.