Ran across this in the Sf paper the other day and, on reading the ingredients, knew immediately that this is one for you. In the article that accompanied the recipe the author talks about a Chinese Bbq oven that the chef who originated this recipe uses. It's made out of stainless steel, five feet tall with a 180, 000 Btu burner in it! This is something I really need for my kitchen. This looks like a full-on, no- nonsense Chinese Bbq.

Most master chefs seldom reveal all their kitchen secrets, but Derun Yu shared this recipe for a barbecued pork marinade, adapted for the home oven. Armed with a Chinese rice bowl, he assembled the ingredients, then poured them into a scale so we would have precise measurements.

Versatile Chinese barbecued pork is the "ham" of Chinese cooking. It may be sliced and served as an appetizer or entree, or like a sandwich, cubed and stuffed in bread dough and steamed into pork buns. It's good stir- fried with vegetables, tossed with noodles or cooked with scrambled eggs.

Prepare the marinade: Heat the oil in a wok or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and gently fry just until it floats to the surface and is golden brown (about 2 minutes). Quickly remove the garlic and discard. Pour the garlic oil into a large mixing bowl, let cool.

Stir in remaining ingredients with the garlic oil into a smooth sauce. Pour into a glass jar. Cool. If the marinade is covered with 1/8 inch cooking oil, it will keep in the refrigerator for several months.

Yields 5 cups.

Then combine the sugar, salt, rice wine, soy sauce, Barbecue Marinade and five-spice powder in a large mixing bowl; mix well. Add the pork butt and marinate for about 30 minutes (when using spareribs, marinate for 1 hour).

Preheat oven to 500F. Pour the water into a 10 X 14-inch roasting pan. Place the roasting rack in the pan (the rack should not touch the water). Remove the meat slices from the marinade and place on the rack; reserve the marinade. Roast for 8 minutes, turn over and roast the other side for 8 minutes longer. Reduce the oven temperature to 300F. Brush the pork with the reserved marinade; roast for an additional 20 minutes on each side. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

Slice the pork butt into 1/4-inch slices.

Prepare the glazing sauce: To soften maltose sugar, place the container (uncovered) in a microwave oven at high setting for 1 minute. Transfer the softened maltose into a double boiler with the water and rice wine; stir until the glaze is well mixed. Keep the sauce warm until ready to use.

Then spoon a few tablespoons of the glaze over pork before serving.

sesame seed paste are available in Chinese markets.

Joyce Jue. San Francisco Chronicle, 8/19/92.