Sliced Roast Square Pork

Sliced Roast Square Pork

　　Sliced Roast Square Pork has a long history, with records dating back to the Warring States period in the book *Han Feizi*. Preparation method: (1) Select tender pork, and cut off 6–7 ribs along with the hard belly pork (the section below the ribs). Then skewer it from underneath the ribs using a long iron fork. Place the skin side down over open charcoal fire and scorch until the pork turns yellowish-black and starts to bubble, then remove it. (2) Scrape the scorched skin clean, then rinse it with water to give the skin a tiger-stripe appearance. (3) Roast in a stove. Shanxi tradition uses a closed oven (a square oven for roasting duck and meat). Light up sorghum stalks and wait until the flames die out and the black smoke clears. While the embers are still red-hot, slowly level them with a stick or shovel, then lightly cover the hot embers with a small amount of leftover ash from the previous roast (to prevent the heat from being too strong and burning the meat). Use an iron hook to hang the square pork into the oven and close the oven door tightly. Roast for about 90 minutes until the fat renders out and the pork is fully cooked, then remove it. (4) Trim the square pork: first slice off the rib portion flatly, then cut the square pork into large pieces about 5 cm wide, and use a sharp knife to slice it into thin slices together with the skin (make sure the slices are thin). Arrange the slices neatly on a plate. (5) Serve hot, accompanied by shredded scallions, sweet bean sauce, radish strips or cucumber strips, and lotus leaf pancakes. Just like when eating Peking duck, spread the sweet bean sauce evenly on the pancake, add some scallions and pork slices, roll it up, and eat. If you find it too rich, you can also add radish or cucumber strips. Characteristics: Eating Sliced Roast Square Pork is like enjoying Peking duck—tender, rich, not greasy, savory and delicious. After finishing the roast meat, you’ll be fully satisfied with both food and drink, and the lingering aroma will stay with you for a long time.