Chinese Barbecued Pork Strips

I love some of the Lion House recipes. I have one of their international cookbooks and sometimes I find fun things in there. I tried out this pork and it was really yummy. It reminded me a lot of the pork you get on the kabobs sticks at the Farmers Market that you just can't pass up because the smell is wafting through the booths and making your mouth water. Imagine that smell in your house. Then imagine a very happy husband walking through the door. :) I can't make any promises, but I'm sure good things will come.

Chinese Barbecued Pork Strips
(Lion House International Recipes)

2 lbs pork, cut into 2 inch strips
3 T soy sauce
2 T honey
2 T sugar
2 T orange juice (apple, white grape, or pineapple juice may be substituted)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Oriental Five Spice Powder (recipe follows)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp minced fresh ginger root, or 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp red food coloring (optional)

Put meat strips in a medium bowl. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, sugar, juice, salt, Five Spice Powder, garlic, ginger, and food coloring. Pour mixture over meat and stir to coat well. Cover and place in refrigerator to marinate 3 to 4 hours or overnight, turning occasionally if necessary.

When ready to cook meat, preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place meat strips in a roasting pan; reserve marinade. (Promise me you will save yourself some scrubbing and put foil under it.) Roast in a preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours, basting occasionally with reserved marinade.

Oriental Five Spice Powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp anise seeds, crushed
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
1/4 tsp ground black pepper or crushed Szechuan pepper
1/8 tsp ground cloves

Mix ingredients together. Store in tightly covered container. Use in Oriental cooking.