Instructions: In a mortar, mash the garlic, shallots, and sugar; add the fish sauce, water, soy sauce, five-spice powder, and white pepper.

Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over a high flame. Drop the pork into the pot to brown. Keep covered, uncovering only to turn the meat from time to time. After the meat is well browned, add the sauce mixture. Cover and turn the flame down to medium.

After 15 minutes, turn the pork in the sauce to color the meat. Continue cooking for another 15 minutes, covered, uncovering periodically to check the progress of the cooking. When you see only small bubbles and about 5 tablespoons of liquid, the cooking is completed.

Remove the meat and allow to cool slightly, then slice, arrange on a plater and pour the remaining sauce over.

This recipe yields 6 servings.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.