Crispy Honey-Chili Pork Belly Bao

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb pork belly, skin removed, cut into 1-inch strips
• 3 tbsp avocado oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos
• 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 2 fresh red chilies, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 3/4 cup coconut flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup coconut cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Persian cucumber, shaved into ribbons
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar (for pickling cucumbers)
• 1/4 tsp salt (for pickling cucumbers)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep (45 min): Cut the pork belly into 1-inch strips and pat dry. Whisk the eggs with coconut cream. In a separate bowl, combine coconut flour, baking powder, and salt. Shave the cucumber into ribbons and soak them in 1/4 cup rice vinegar with 1/4 tsp salt; set aside. Mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and slice the fresh red chilies.

2. 2

   Steam the buns (25 min): Mix the coconut flour mixture with the egg-coconut cream batter until smooth. Divide into 6 rounds, place each in a parchment-lined steamer basket, and steam over simmering water for 12-15 minutes until puffed and cooked through. Keep warm.

3. 3

   Crisp the pork belly (60 min): Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss the pork belly strips in 1 tbsp avocado oil, arrange on a rack over a baking sheet, and roast for 50-55 minutes until deeply golden and crackling, flipping halfway. Rest 5 minutes, then cut into bite-size pieces.

4. 4

   Make the glaze (5 min): Warm 2 tbsp avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, ginger, red chili flakes, and sliced fresh chilies and cook 1 minute. Stir in the honey, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, and coconut aminos and simmer 2 minutes until glossy.

5. 5

   Glaze the pork (5 min): Add the crispy pork belly pieces to the skillet and toss 2-3 minutes until fully coated and sticky.

6. 6

   Assemble: Split the warm coconut flour buns, tuck in cucumber ribbons, spoon in the honey-chili pork belly, and top with sliced scallions. Serve immediately.