The pulled pork pie is sweet, creamy, and savory all at once.
Pulled pork is a flavorful meat product made by slowly cooking pork in aromatic broth until it's tender enough to shred. Once dried and shredded, it's lightly fried, resulting in a light and fluffy texture, almost like cotton candy, though that's where the similarities end.
Unlike sweet cotton candy, pulled pork is salty and has a flavor similar to beef jerky. Originating in China, it's widely consumed in East and Southeast Asia, where most bakeries offer pastries made with this beloved staple. Its soft, crumbly, and slightly stringy texture makes it incredibly versatile: perfect on its own (but be warned, it's easy to eat a whole bag in one sitting!), to enhance the flavor of rice, or as a delicious filling for fluffy bao buns.
One of the most creative uses of pulled pork is found in an Asian dessert called Rousong Xiaobei. The base of this dessert consists of light and airy chiffon sponges, sandwiched between which is a creamy, subtly sweet filling. The outside is lightly brushed with a layer of cream and then generously topped with pulled pork. This combination of sweet, creamy, and savory flavors is a hallmark of East Asian desserts, where contrasting flavors or intense fruity notes are often preferred, and where desserts are typically less sweet than their Western counterparts.
Variations and experiments with shredded pork
The basic recipe for pulled pork pie includes a chiffon sponge base, a creamy filling, and a generous layer of pulled pork, achieving a perfect balance of flavor. This base offers endless possibilities for experimentation. Chiffon sponges are readily available at Asian bakeries or supermarkets, making this dessert a simple option that only requires preparation at home.
Furthermore, there are many interesting variations to try. The creamy filling can range from custard to Kewpie mayonnaise for a tangy contrast, while the shredded meat can be mixed into the filling or simply used as a fluffy outer layer. Some versions even incorporate seaweed flakes and sesame seeds into the shredded meat to enhance the flavor.
A popular variation is the rolled version, where a sponge cake is spread with cream and shredded meat, then rolled into a cylinder. It's left to rest to set before slicing. It's like a savory version of a peanut butter Swiss roll. Another version is simpler: the top of the sponge cake is covered with a layer of cream and shredded meat, then cut into small pieces.
The versatility of this dish makes it a canvas for creativity. Imagine using puff pastry instead of chiffon cake, where each buttery layer hides a light and flavorful shredded meat. Or imagine savory macarons, where delicate flaky layers are combined with shredded pork for a unique and delicious twist.