No need to worry about eating unhealthy oil—make this healthy, oil-free, five-spice pork collar at home, simple and delicious!

Text & Photos byNata

With frequent reports of "gutter oil" scandals, oil-free cooking has become all the rage. This oil-free five-spice pork collar is my take on a recipe shared by the late respected toxicologist Dr. Lin Jei-liang. Its flavor rivals that of pan-fried versions, yet it’s made with easy-to-find ingredients and seasonings, and the method is incredibly simple—definitely a highly recommended dish.

Oil-Free Five-Spice Pork Collar – Serves 2–4
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Ingredients
Pork collar (pork neck) – 200g
Garlic – 1 clove, minced
Five-spice powder – a small amount
Salt – 1/2 tsp

That’s it—pretty simple, right?

Instructions
Step 1. Blanch the pork collar in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain and set aside. (You can buy a whole piece, blanch it, and then slice it, or buy it pre-sliced. For this demo, I’m using pre-sliced meat.)

Step 2. Mix the salt, five-spice powder, minced garlic, and pork slices together. Rub them lightly and marinate for about 10 minutes.

Step 3. Place the marinated pork slices in a cold pan, turn on the heat, and slowly stir-fry until cooked through.

I like my pork collar with a bit of char, so I sear it slightly to get golden grill marks. If you prefer a healthier option, just cook it until done and take it off the heat. You can serve it with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice for extra flavor. In the past, when I ate pork collar at home, I’d just blanch it and dip it in garlic-soy sauce. That method is also delicious, brings out the original flavor, is low in salt, oil-free, has a nice chewy texture, and is super convenient with no oily smoke. Give it a try yourself and recommend it to your friends and family too!

Nata Not Sloppy
Loves being a stylish lifestyle enthusiast and cooking researcher