For the Love of...: ...Five Spice Pork Shoulder

Spragg's Meat Shop has multiple locations around town including one at the Kingsland Farmers Market. This family run farm raises some of the best pork we've ever tasted. It must have something to do with the fact that their hogs are free range and allowed to roam in spacious pastures. Although a bit more expensive we've found that when we purchase high quality meat rather than the 'family packs' at large supermarkets we end up enjoying the flavours more. Here is a great slow cooker recipe that highlights the deliciously tender pork with the classic Chinese aromas of five spice and star anise. 

Ingredients:

- 1 whole deboned and rolled pork shoulder roast

- 3 medium onions chopped

- 3 carrots chopped

- 2 cloves of garlic chopped

- 2 cups of chicken stock

- 1/3 cup of light soy sauce

- 1/4 cup chinese cooking wine

- 3 tbsp oyster sauce

- 3 tbsp rock sugar

- 2 tsp five spice powder

- 3 star anise

- 3 tbsp corn starch

Method:
1. combine all of the above ingredients in to your crock pot

2. Cook the contents over the high setting of your slow cooker for 10 hours (Our pork shoulder was frozen. If your pork shoulder is not frozen 6-7 hours should do)

3) Remove the pork and allow to cool

4) Skim off any fat from the surface of the cooking liquid

5) Dissolve the cornstarch with 1/3 cup of water and add to the cooking liquid and allow to thicken

6) Slice the pork shoulder and serve with the thickened sauce

Enjoy!