Black Garlic Char Siu how to cook

A creative fusion dish combining traditional Cantonese roast pork with nutritious black garlic

Introduction: When Traditional Char Siu Meets Healthy Black Garlic

Char siu, or Chinese BBQ pork, is a classic Cantonese dish known for its glossy red exterior and sweet-salty flavor profile. Black garlic, a health food sensation that has taken the world by storm, is prized for its soft texture and unique sweet-sour taste. Combining these two creates black garlic char siu – a dish that not only reinvents traditional flavors but also represents a perfect marriage of taste and health benefits. In this article, we’ll provide a detailed recipe for this creative dish and explore its numerous health advantages.

[Image: Black garlic char siu plated attractively]

Detailed Recipe for Black Garlic Char Siu (With Secret Tips)

Ingredients:

  • Main: 500g pork shoulder (or pork neck)
  • Core seasoning: 4-6 bulbs of black garlic
  • Marinade: Minced garlic, minced ginger, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce (for color), oyster sauce, honey (or maltose), cooking wine, a pinch of five-spice powder
  • Special Black Garlic Glaze: Mash peeled black garlic with honey and a little light soy sauce

Preparation Steps:

  1. Preparing the Pork and Marinating: Clean the pork and pat dry. Prick the surface with a fork or skewer to help the marinade penetrate. Mix all marinade ingredients (including half of the mashed black garlic) with the pork, massage well. Seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  2. Roasting Process (Oven Method): Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). Place marinated pork on a rack with a baking tray lined with foil underneath to catch drips. Roast for 20 minutes. Remove and brush the surface with the black garlic glaze. Flip, brush the other side, and return to oven at 180°C (355°F) for another 15-20 minutes. Key step: For the last 5 minutes, brush with a honey-water mixture (1:1 ratio) and increase top heat to 220°C (430°F) to create a beautiful caramelized glaze.
  3. Resting and Slicing: Let the roasted char siu rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing to retain juices. Slice thinly and serve.

Cooking Tips:

Skillet Version: If you don’t have an oven, pan-fry slowly over low heat, then add the marinade and black garlic glaze to reduce into a sauce.

Rice Cooker Version: Place marinated pork with some sauce in a rice cooker, press cook, flip halfway through – simple and convenient.

7 Amazing Health Benefits of Black Garlic Char Siu

Black garlic char siu isn’t just delicious – its nutritional value far exceeds that of regular char siu, thanks primarily to the black garlic.

  • Enhanced Antioxidant Power: During fermentation, black garlic’s antioxidant compounds (like S-allyl cysteine) increase dramatically, far surpassing regular garlic. This helps fight free radicals, slow aging, and boost immunity.
  • Cardiovascular Health Benefits: Black garlic helps reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, regulate blood pressure, and improve blood vessel elasticity. Using black garlic allows for reduced salt and soy sauce, making this dish more heart-friendly.
  • Boosts Immune System: Sulfur compounds and selenium in black garlic enhance immune cell activity, making it a natural “immune booster,” especially useful during seasonal changes.
  • Regulates Blood Sugar Levels: Research suggests black garlic can improve insulin sensitivity. While char siu contains sugar, the addition of black garlic makes it a better occasional choice for those monitoring blood sugar (in moderation).
  • Improves Digestion and Gut Health: Fermented black garlic is gentle on the stomach and contains prebiotics that promote healthy gut bacteria growth, aiding digestion.
  • Reduces Fatigue and Boosts Energy: Rich in amino acids and natural sugars, black garlic provides quick energy, helping combat physical and mental fatigue.
  • Perfect Balance of Taste and Health: Black garlic’s natural sweetness reduces the need for added sugar and MSG, creating a more complex flavor profile while supporting “reduce salt and sugar” health goals.