Ingredients
1 whole pig's head (about 2500 g / 5.5 lbs).
Seasonings
Sweet bean paste 50 g (about 1/4 cup), soy sauce 40 g (about 3 tablespoons), fine salt 30 g (about 1 1/2 tablespoons), star anise and cinnamon bark 7.5 g each (about 1 teaspoon each).
Instructions
1. Soak the pig's head in water and wash it clean, pluck out any fine hairs with tweezers, cut off both ears, remove the eye sockets, lips, ear rims, and nose, split the face into 2 pieces, split the lower jaw into 3 pieces, then soak again in water to draw out the blood, boil in a pot of water for half an hour, remove, wash clean, and cut into chunks.
2. Place a pot over high heat and add oil, then stir-fry the sweet bean paste until it turns a rich brown color. Add the pork pieces, star anise, cinnamon stick, soy sauce, salt, and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a low simmer and cook for about 3 hours until the meat is tender and falls apart. This dish features melt-in-your-mouth fatty pork, savory and tender lean meat, with a pure, delicate flavor and a fragrant aroma.