Yunnan White-cooked Pork

The origin of this dish is Manchurian rather than Chinese, even though it has long since become an integral part of the Chinese repertoire, with its regional variations. The Manchus used to make sacrifices to the gods with pigs and, after the ceremony, would serve the pork which was then sliced off by the officers’ own swords. A custom gradually developed whereby guests were invited to eat what was called the pork of blessing, or huge pieces of pork plainly steamed or boiled (white-cooked)