Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 2 hr

　　

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

　　1 (1 1/2-inch) piece cinnamon stick

　　1/2 teaspoon anise seeds

　　3 lb boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes

　　1/4 teaspoon salt

　　3/4 teaspoon black pepper

　　2 tablespoons vegetable oil

　　1 large onion, chopped

　　4 garlic cloves, smashed

　　4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices peeled fresh ginger, smashed

　　2 (4- by 1-inch) strips fresh orange zest

　　1 tablespoon sugar

　　1/2 cup soy sauce

　　1/2 cup Chinese rice wine or medium-dry Sherry

　　2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (20 fl oz)

　　3 fennel bulbs (sometimes called anise), stalks cut off and discarded, then bulbs sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick

　　1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

　　

Special Equipment

cheesecloth; kitchen string

　　

Step 1

Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 350°F.

　　

Step 2

Wrap cinnamon stick and anise seeds in a small square of cheesecloth and tie bundle closed with string.

　　

Step 3

Pat pork dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a deep 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown pork in 3 batches, turning, about 4 minutes per batch. Transfer to a bowl as browned.

　　

Step 4

Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from pot and cook onion and garlic over moderate heat, stirring, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add ginger, zest, and sugar and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in soy sauce, rice wine, broth, pork with any accumulated juices, and cheesecloth bag. Braise mixture, covered, in oven 1 hour.

　　

Step 5

Stir in fennel and braise, covered, in oven until fennel is very tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Discard cheesecloth bag, then season pork mixture with salt and pepper and stir in cilantro.

　　Cooks' note:

　　Braised pork and fennel (without cilantro) can be made 1 day ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered. Reheat on top of stove, then stir in cilantro.