Nutrient-Packed Black Rice and Cabbage Rolls
Cancer-Preventing Recipe / Black Rice Cabbage Rolls for Lunchbox
Introducing a nutrient-rich, low-sodium lunchbox featuring black rice and cabbage rolls! These are easier to make than kimbap, yet incredibly delicious and packed with nutrition, making them a healthy choice for your body. Instead of beef, we’ve used Cheongyang chili peppers to create a flavorful ‘yak gochujang’ (medicinal chili paste) that enhances the taste of the cabbage rolls. With their low-calorie profile, these nutrient-dense black rice and cabbage rolls are also excellent for dieting. Enjoy a healthy and delicious meal with this recipe!
Main Ingredients- 2 servings of cooked black rice
- 1 cucumber
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 head of cabbage
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/3 green onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 Cheongyang chili peppers
- 1 tsp vinegar
- Cooking oil (for frying)
- Sesame oil (for seasoning)
- Sesame seeds (a pinch)
Spicy ‘Yak Gochujang’ Sauce- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 0.5 Tbsp doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- Sesame seeds (a pinch)
- Minced garlic (a little)
- Minced green onion (a little)
- Chopped Cheongyang chili peppers (a little)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 0.5 Tbsp doenjang (fermented soybean paste)
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- Sesame seeds (a pinch)
- Minced garlic (a little)
- Minced green onion (a little)
- Chopped Cheongyang chili peppers (a little)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients needed for the black rice and cabbage rolls. Wash the vegetables thoroughly under running water and pat them dry.
Step 2
Remove the thick stems from the cabbage leaves. In a pot, add enough water to steam and 1 teaspoon of vinegar. Place a steamer basket inside, arrange the prepared cabbage leaves, cover with a lid, and steam over medium heat for about 10 minutes until tender. They should be easily pierced with a chopstick when done.
Step 3
Cut out the seedy core from the cucumber and slice it into thick julienne strips. Whisk the eggs and cook thin omelets in a pan; then cut them into strips similar in size to the cucumber. Cut the red bell pepper to match the size of the other fillings.
Step 4
To make the flavorful ‘yak gochujang’, thinly slice the Cheongyang chili peppers (removing seeds if preferred). Mince the garlic by pressing with the flat side of a knife, then chop finely. Finely chop the green onion as well. Having these ingredients prepped will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 5
Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat with a little cooking oil. Add the minced garlic and minced green onion, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Once aromatic, add the gochujang and doenjang, and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. Pour in 1/3 cup of water and stir to dissolve any clumps. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Finally, stir in the honey, then mix in the perilla oil and sesame seeds.
Step 6
Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped Cheongyang chili peppers. Mix well to combine. Your spicy and savory ‘yak gochujang’ is now ready! The subtle heat from the chili peppers will greatly enhance the flavor of the cabbage rolls.
Step 7
In a bowl, combine the warm cooked black rice with a drizzle of sesame oil and a pinch of sesame seeds. Gently mix with a rice paddle to ensure the rice grains are evenly seasoned and not clumped together. Let the rice cool slightly; if it’s too hot, it might tear the cabbage.
Step 8
Spread a steamed cabbage leaf flat on a bamboo sushi mat or a clean cutting board. Evenly spread the seasoned black rice over about two-thirds of the cabbage leaf. Drizzle about 1.5 tablespoons of the ‘yak gochujang’ over the rice. Arrange the julienned cucumber, egg strips, and bell pepper strips neatly on top. Starting from the bottom edge, carefully roll the cabbage tightly, ensuring the fillings don’t spill out. Gently press the seam to seal the roll.
Step 9
Cut the completed black rice and cabbage rolls into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm thick. Your nutrient-packed black rice and cabbage roll lunchbox is now ready! Arrange them attractively on a plate and enjoy your delicious and healthy meal.
