Aromatic Water Parsley and Pork Belly
Aromatic Water Parsley and Pork Belly Grill with Savory Pork Belly Fried Rice
Hello, everyone! Food is strength. Water parsley (minari) is in season from March to May. It’s excellent for detoxification, neutralizing an acidic body and purifying the blood. Its high fiber content also offers benefits like strengthening the body and reducing fever. Beyond its health benefits, the fragrant aroma of minari is truly special. Today, we’ll make a grilled pork belly dish with Cheongdo Hanjae minari, and also prepare a delicious pork belly fried rice. Experience the unique flavors and health benefits!
Pork Belly Grill Ingredients- 2 handfuls fresh water parsley (minari, approx. 100g)
- 2 thick strips pork belly (approx. 300g)
- Ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce), to taste
Pork Belly Fried Rice Ingredients- A little grilled pork belly (for fried rice)
- 3 Tbsp minced onion
- 2 Tbsp minced carrot
- 1 handful chopped king oyster mushrooms
- 2 handfuls chopped water parsley (minari)
- 2 sheets roasted seaweed (gim)
Fried Rice Seasoning- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- A little sesame oil
- A little toasted sesame seeds
- A little grilled pork belly (for fried rice)
- 3 Tbsp minced onion
- 2 Tbsp minced carrot
- 1 handful chopped king oyster mushrooms
- 2 handfuls chopped water parsley (minari)
- 2 sheets roasted seaweed (gim)
Fried Rice Seasoning- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp guk-ganjang (Korean soup soy sauce)
- A little sesame oil
- A little toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the Water Parsley: First, let’s thoroughly clean the water parsley. In a bowl of cold water, add 3 tablespoons of vinegar and soak the water parsley for about 10 minutes. This helps remove any remaining impurities or pesticide residues. Then, rinse it thoroughly under running tap water, separating the stems.
Step 2
Drain the Water Parsley: After washing, it’s crucial to drain the water parsley completely using a colander. Excess water can cause oil splattering during grilling or make the fried rice taste watery.
Step 3
Prepare the Pork Belly: Get your fresh pork belly ready. We’re using two thick strips for easier grilling.
Step 4
Chop the Fried Rice Ingredients: Prepare the vegetables for the fried rice. Finely mince the onion and carrot. Chop the water parsley. Trim the base of the king oyster mushrooms and chop them finely. Lightly toast the two sheets of gim over an open flame until crisp, then cut them into small pieces with scissors. Alternatively, you can put the gim in a plastic bag and crush it with your hands to make seaweed flakes.
Step 5
Make the Fried Rice Seasoning: The seasoning for the fried rice is simple yet key to its deliciousness. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, and 1 tablespoon of guk-ganjang. Mix them well. Add a little toasted sesame seeds for a nutty aroma.
Step 6
Prepare the Rice: Get your cooked rice ready for the fried rice. Using warm rice will help it mix better with the seasoning, resulting in a tastier fried rice.
Step 7
Grill the Pork Belly and Water Parsley: Now, let’s start grilling the delicious pork belly! Place the pork belly strips in a preheated pan. Once they start to brown, add a generous amount of fresh water parsley on top to grill together. The water parsley will absorb some of the pork belly’s savory flavor.
Step 8
Cook the Pork Belly: Flip the pork belly strips and cook them until they are golden brown and crispy. Aim for a texture that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Step 9
Cut and Enjoy: Once the pork belly is perfectly grilled, cut it into bite-sized pieces. It’s better to grill them whole first and then cut them to prevent the juices from escaping. Try wrapping the grilled pork belly with the water parsley and dipping it in ssamjang. The fragrant aroma of the water parsley combined with the savory pork belly is absolutely divine!
Step 10
Make the Pork Belly Fried Rice: We’ll use the rendered fat from grilling the pork belly to make the fried rice. Add the minced vegetables (onion, carrot, king oyster mushrooms, water parsley) and chopped grilled pork belly (for fried rice) to the pan. Stir-fry them together. Once the vegetables are slightly softened, add the prepared seasoning and stir-fry until everything is well combined. Then, add the rice and continue to stir-fry until the grains of rice are separated and slightly toasted.
Step 11
Finish the Fried Rice: Once the fried rice is cooked, add a generous amount of the prepared seaweed flakes and mix gently. Finally, drizzle with a little sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for an extra nutty flavor. Your delicious pork belly fried rice is ready!
