Char Siu

Step 1

To make the marinade, stir the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ketchup, oyster sauce, 1/4 cup of the honey, the sugar, sherry, ginger, five-spice powder and food coloring if using together in a large bowl.  Set aside.

Step 2

Cut the pork into strips 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. Place the strips flat in a shallow baking dish. Pour the marinade over the pork strips and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Step 3

When ready to roast the pork, position one rack to the lowest part of the oven and another rack about 5 inches above it. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 4

Drain the pork; place the marinade in a small saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 1/4 cup honey.

Step 5

Place a shallow roasting pan on the bottom rack of the oven and fill the pan about three-quarters full with water. Carefully place the pork strips on the oven rack above the roasting pan so all sides of the pork strips are exposed to heat and all are over the pan to catch drips.

Step 6

Roast the pork for 30 minutes. Baste the pork strips with the honey mixture and roast for 15 minutes and baste again. Roast until the pork strips are crisp and golden brown, about 10 minutes longer.

Step 7

Remove the pork from the oven and let cool. To serve, slice the strips across into 1/2-inch strips and smother with reserved sauce.