Taiwanese Ground Pork And Pickled Cucumbers

Step 1
Mix rice wine, soy sauce paste, soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper together in a bowl.

Step 2
Mix ground pork with brine from cucumbers together in a bowl.

Step 3
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; cook and stir until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add pork mixture; cook and stir until no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Push pork and shallots to the sides of the skillet, making a space in the center. Add garlic, ginger, and star anise; stir.

Step 4
Pour water into the skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low; simmer until sauce reduces to about 1 cup. Stir in chopped cucumbers. Stir in rice wine mixture; cook until flavors combine, 4 to 6 minutes.

Step 5
Top pork mixture with sesame oil and green onions.