1 ½lbto 2 lbs of boneless pork shoulder(cut into bite-size cubes)
1 ½cupsof canned coconut juice(you can use fresh coconut water if you have access to some)
4shallots(peeled and thinly sliced)
1clovegarlic(peeled and finely minced)
1thumb-size ginger(peeled and finely minced)
2red Thai chili(stemmed)
1cupof light brown sugar
2Tbspof fish sauce or more to taste
Dash of salt and pepper
4hard-boiled eggs(peeled)
2Tbspof extra-virgin coconut oil or peanut oil
Small bunch of cilantro leaves for garnish
Instructions
Sprinkle pinch of salt and pepper on the meat. Preheat a Dutch oven with oil. Add in the meat in small batches and let it brown on all sides. Do this batch by batch to make sure the meat is browning properly. Remove the meat and continue with the rest and place them on a plate
To the same pot, add in shallots and saute for about 5 minutes. Add in garlic, ginger, and chilis and saute for another 2 minutes. Add the meat back into the pot. Add in brown sugar, fish sauce, and coconut water. The liquid should just about to cover the meat. Bring it to a boil and then cover and lower the heat to let it simmer for about 1 hour until the meat is really tender
Once the meat is tender, turn off the heat add int the peeled hard-boiled eggs and let them sit there for about 30 minutes to absorb the flavor and some of the dark color of the sauce (from browning the meat and brown sugar)
When ready to serve, ladle the soup into serving bowl with half hard-boiled egg on top and garnish with cilantro leaves. Serve with a bowl of white rice