BARBECUED PORK STRIPS

2    pounds    Boneless pork butt      
            MARINADE          
2    tablespoons    Light soy sauce      
2    tablespoons    Chinese rice wine -- or dry sherry      
2    tablespoons    Sugar      
1    tablespoon    Minced garlic      
1    tablespoon    Brown bean sauce      
1    tablespoon    Hoisin sauce      
1    tablespoon    Red bean curd      
1    teaspoon    5-spice powder      
            BASTING LIQUID          
3    tablespoons    Malt sugar or honey      
3    tablespoons    Boiling water

CUT THE PIECE OF PORK BUTT in half. Cut the two halves into 3/4-inch strips. Put the strips in a bowl with the marinade and mix well to coat them thoroughly.

Marinate at room temperature for 3 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator. Remove the pork from the marinade and baste the strips with the malt-sugar mixture.

Use curved skewers (available in Chinese cookware shops and some restaurant- supply stores) to hang the meat from the top shelf of the oven over a large pan filled with water to a depth of 1/4 inch. Roast the pork at 350F for 45 minutes, basting occasionally with the malt sugar or honey. Increase the heat to 425F and roast for 20 minutes to finish the pork. When the pork is cool enough to handle, cut it into 1/2-inch slices.

Arrange the pork slices on a platter. Serves 4 to 6 as a main course accompanied by vegetables, 8 to 10 as an appetizer.

February Benihana Chef's Special

MIAMI, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHN - News), the nation's leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, has announced the February Chef's Specials, Hibachi Steak & Chicken ...

15 International Twists On Meatball Recipes

People all over the world love meatballs -- many nations have their special recipe. It's simple and inexpensive to combine ingredients like ground meat, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, herbs and spices to create tender and flavorful meatballs.

Ung: Checking out the new lower-calorie menu offerings at the chains

We try out lower-calorie options at Cheesecake Factory, Pollo Tropical and Applebee's.

Waterleaf a hidden gem that’s worth seeking out

A shakedown period is inevitable with new restaurants, and diners usually must make allowances as the kitchen tweaks its menu and management smooths out the rough spots in service. But that’s not part of the drill at the well-tuned Waterleaf Restaurant, a classy newcomer in Glen Ellyn. The 150-seat restaurant, housed in the new Culinary and Hospitality Center of the College of DuPage, has ...

FYI-Food: Feb. 1, 2012

Weekly news briefs for foodies in Southwest Florida.